Why harold landry is the Key to a Titans Victory over the Bengals!
The Titans return home this week to take on the Bengals, and the panic button could be pressed if Tennessee falls to Cincinnati for the third time in the past three years. If the Titans want to avoid a 1-3 start, they need an extraordinary performance from their $87M pass rusher!!
Harold Landry earned a substantial contract extension last year after a breakout 2021 season, where he posted 12 sacks and 14 TFL. After tearing his ACL in practice, Landry missed the entire 2022 season but was ready to bounce back and aid a Titans’ pass rush that was non-existent for the second half of the 2022 season. The former Boston College Eagle has not made much of an impact through three games, as he has only two QB hits and six total tackles on the season. So far, Landry’s best moment has come against the Chargers, where he sacked QB Justin Herbert late in regulation to force a field goal and overtime. Tennessee went on to win that game, and Landry had one of the more pivotal plays. Last week, Landry failed to pressure Deshaun Watson regularly and only played 59% percent of the defensive snaps. Though he has struggled this season, DC Shane Bowen must keep faith in the former Pro Bowl because he is the key to a hopeful Titans victory over the Bengals…
As we all know, the Bengals’ Offensive Line has been flawed for years. We all remember the 2022 Divisional Round game when the Titans sacked Burrow nine times! Landry himself had a sack and half in that game as well. Orlando Brown Jr. and Jonah Williams are the Tackles for Cincy, and neither are world-class offensive linemen. The Titans’ pass rush should be able to wreck this game from the jump, and it starts with Landry. Though Jeff Simmons is the best player on this Tennessee Front Seven, Landry argued for that award before he got hurt. This is the perfect game for Harold Landry to remind us that he still has a ton left in the tank. Harold’s speed and finesse on outside rushes should be a legitimate challenge for Brown Jr. and Williams to contain all afternoon. Earlier this week, Landry stated that this was the first time he could do everything at practice! This a very encouraging statement from a guy who has had to batt back from a lot over the past year!!
It’s only Week Four, but this feels like a “Gotta Have It” game for Tennessee. There are already rumblings in the fanbase about tanking and potentially drafting a very talented QB out of USC. A loss tomorrow will strengthen those arguments even more. If they want to salvage this season, getting a win at home against a team that Tennessee has struggled to beat the past three years is vital. Harold Landry is the key tomorrow, and if he plays well, the Titans will be 2-2!!
IMAGES FROM TENNESSEETITANS.COM
