“From Elvis in Memphis” was the tenth studio album produced by, rock and roll legend, Elvis Presley. It was released June 17, 1969, by RCA Records to favorable reviews. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 and number two on the country charts. Today, there is a different number that is breaking hearts in Nashville. Number 17. Out from under the shadow of Adam Gase, Ryan Tannehill has led the Tennessee Titans to an unbeaten record and a date with the 5-0 Pittsburgh Steelers.
This marks the first meeting between the two franchises since 2017 and also represents the fifth matchup of unbeaten teams week seven or later. The winner of each has gone on to win the Super Bowl. Losing Taylor Lewan to a torn ACL will hurt but the Titan offense is rolling. Tannehill has guided them to four-plus touchdowns in four straight games and shows no sign of slowing down. For their part, the Steelers are on pace to average the most points in franchise history (31.3 ppg). This should be an offensive smorgasbord, so let’s get to the touchdowns!
Wide Receivers
Diontae Johnson is off the injury report and should be back on the field this Sunday. He has shown a clear rapport with QB Ben Roethlisberger who is enjoying, perhaps, the best season of his storied career. The future Hall of Famer is on pace to break career marks in completion percentage (69.%) TD/INT ratio (11:1) and passer rating (109.1) While all eyes are on, the talented, Chase Claypool, the defense will be chasing Johnson.
Did you notice? It’s okay, if you didn’t because he was lost in the euphoria of King Henry. While he was leaving the Texans bloodied and broken Sunday, Arthur Juan Brown quietly made his way back to the Titans lineup, nabbing a pair of touchdowns. He strikes pay dirt again this week as the Steelers have given up the ninth most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, there is no ‘D’ in Seattle. According to ESPN Stats and Information, the Seattle Seahawks have allowed 1,472 yards to wide receivers. Shaquill Griffin has been particularly awful. He has allowed eight more fantasy points than any other player in coverage this season… and the Seahawks have served their bye week. Yikes! Fire up Christian Kirk in a plus matchup.
The Atlanta defense is like… Well, I mean… Man, I’m running out of superlatives to describe how bad this defense is. Let’s put it this way Matthew Stafford is from Texas, and in Texas, they love God, guns and fairs. Stafford gets his turn at the turkey shoot on Sunday. God help the Falcons, because Kenny Golladay is going to be cruel to them.
Others I like:
Deebo Samuel vs. New England
Terry McLaurin vs. Dallas
Stefon Diggs vs. NY Jets
Running Backs
James Conner has been pretty good so far this season. The Pittsburgh offense clearly benefits when he is on the field. He’s already scored as many times as he did all last year. King Henry has been spectacular. I’ve outlined the offenses already but did you know that Henry leads the NFL in yards after contact? Last Sunday he had 174. Truly remarkable. I expect both these guys to find the end zone Sunday.
Todd Gurley has ten goal-to-go carries so far this season and five rushing touchdowns. Sunday he gets a Lions defense that has allowed 145 yards per game. Ouch! Good enough for 29th in the NFL. Imagine if Matt Patricia wasn’t a defensive guru. Gurley leaves the Lions all shook up.
The last three weeks Ronald Jones has topped 100 yards. That includes last week’s 113-yard two-touchdown performance. This Sunday he gets a Las Vegas defense on a three-week trend of their own. The Raiders have allowed 131 yards per game to opposing backs the last three outings. I’m betting Jones finds the endzone again.
Others I like:
The 49ers trio vs. New England
Alvin Kamara vs. Carolina
Melvin Gordon vs. Kansas City
Tight Ends
Richard Rodgers will leave the rest of America on the couch Thursday to join the rest of his teammates on the field. Thrust into the spotlight due to injury he could find himself a key player in Doug Pederson’s offense. With James Bradberry set to shadow Travis Fulgham and everyone else on the shelf, QB Carson Wentz has to go somewhere with the ball. He loves his tight end tender.
If you have George Kittle you have to start him but I expect an unusually quiet week. Bill Belichick loves to take away his opponent’s best player and he knows all too well how good Kittle is. At his press conference yesterday the Hall of Fame coach called Kittle “As good as anybody that I’ve coached or that I’ve coached against” High praise indeed. Remember back to week three when the Patriots defense limited Darren Waller to 2 catches for nine yards. I’m afraid the 49ers star checks into the Heartbreak Hotel this week.
Travis Kelce is a threat to score every week and this one is no exception. The consensus number one tight end gets a Denver defense that has allowed 5.2 receptions per game to the position. Kelce Shakes Rattles and Rolls his way to the end zone Sunday.
Others I like:
Thomas James Hockenson vs. Atlanta
Jimmy Graham vs. LA Rams
Dalton Schultz vs. Washington
