Things to watch in Week 11 for Tennessee’s week 11 matchup vs the Minnesota Vikings
The Titans are now 2-7 after a road loss to the Los Angeles Chargers (6-3). Last week, the Titans managed just 289 yards against a stiff Chargers defense despite earning 19 first downs and Will Levis not turning the ball over for the first full game in 2024. The run game was effective but seldom used, garnering only 21 carries and averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Levis, Pollard, Tyjae all went over 40 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. On a less than positive note the offensive line surrendered 7 sacks, and that will be a focal point coming into this week vs a Vikings defense that has 30 sacks in 9 games. In the passing game, Levis was ale to keep the hot streak alive for Ridley, targeting him 9 times and connecting for 5 catches 84 yards and 2 TDs.
On defense, the Titans were not able to sack Justin Herbert on any of his 24 dropbacks, despite registering 9 pressures on the day and narrowly missing a strip sack fumble by Big Jeff (Jeffery Simmons) that was later ruled an incompletion. Herbert was able to complete 14 passes for 164 yards and 2 TDs in one of his lower volume performances on the season. The Chargers controlled the line of scrimmage by committing to the run in a Greg Roman special, running for 145 yards on 39 carries. No ball carrier surpassed 55 yards and they were not effective on a per carry basis but they ESTABLISHED it, and won. Jack Gibbens led the team in tackles recording 15 and playing all 59 snaps on the day.
It was a winnable game, but the Chargers controlled the line of scrimmage and shortened the game, methodically inching their way to victory by keeping Will Levis out of rhythm and running the ball to minimize their risks.
Sunday’s Keys To Victory.
Fantasy Players to Watch
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (foot) was able ...
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard rushed nine times...
Per Easton Freeze of the NFL, the Tennessee Titans are ...
Titans HC: “There is no backup. Both guys are starters”
A new era is underway in Nashville, TN. The offseason departure of Mike Vrabel as head coach and the hire of former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan to replace him, along with the departure of Derrick Henry left many questions to be answered in the backfield. The Titans brought in former Cowboy and Memphis, TN native Tony Pollard, but he is coming off of career low in terms of efficiency despite being in the highest scoring offense in the NFL last year. Returning is second year back Tyjae Spears, who proved to be more than capable of handling change of pace duties when called upon. When asked questions about backfield usage, who is going to be the lead back and backup, and Brian Callahan is not ready to divulge any information regarding his plans for Pollard or the second year Spears just yet. It remains one of the most popular and most speculative mysteries for the 2024 season. When faced with this question, Callahan’s reply was: “They are both going to play quite a bit of football for us, and I don’t view either one of them as a starter or a back-up. They are both starting players to me.”
For fantasy purposes the ambiguity is maddening because a 50/50 timeshare would make them less than ideal rb2 candidates in lineup leagues and more flex worthy. If the stance by Titans coaching holds, we will likely have to rely on context clues like depth charts and watch closely during the preseason in order to make an educated guess. Pollard and Spears are currently very close in average draft position in bestball, with Pollard at rb29 and Spears at rb34. Their outlook will remain muddied unless one back is able to separate from the other in this competition. Per touch efficiency goes to the younger Spears, but Pollard has put together a top 12 season in limited work in spite of the his lack of efficiency going into his age 27 season.
Tennessee Titans new Head Coach, Brian Callahan, noticeably used the word “interchangeable” three times in a minute-long interview snippet when asked about the Titans plan to deploy their top two running backs this season.
The Titans backfield workload for Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears is currently undecided, with both players offering similar skillsets. Callahan expects their roles to become more defined as training camp unfolds, but clearly sees both players as valuable pieces.
Pollard signed a 3-year, $24 million contract to join the Titans earlier this offseason. While he struggled last year bouncing back from an injury suffered in the 2022 playoffs, his contract signing was one of the higher total values extended to running backs this offseason, indicating that the Titans believe he can be a highly involved contributor.
For Fantasy Managers, this coachspeak from Callahan can be interpreted as a signal that the Titans may plan to deploy a committee at running back, with both players drawing similar snap shares. Pollard currently has an ADP of 80.4 on Underdog, while Spears is close behind at 97.4. While they may creep a little closer together following this interview from Callahan, it’s a sound move to have both running backs outside the top 80 for now.
Running Back Tony Pollard is going to the highest bidder in the Tennessee Titans.
Tony Pollard has agreed to a 3-year $24 million deal with Tennessee. The Titans had out bid the Cowboys and the Vikings for his services. Pollard had a somewhat disappointing season being the bellcow for the Dallas Cowboys last season. Pollard had career highs in touches with 252 carries and 55 catches for 1,316 total yards and 6 TDs. He is at his best in a committee at running back like in 2022 where he had similar yardage with 12 total TDs on 75 fewer touches.
Pollard will team up with Tyjae Spears in the Tennessee backfield to replace legendary running back Derrick “King” Henry. New head coach Brian Callahan will utilize the backs in a similar fashion he did as the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati last season. Callahan has also brought along his father Bill Callahan, an all timer of an offensive line coach. The Titans will be relying heavily on the ground game to help second year QB Will Levis as he gets his feet under him. Tennessee’s offense is adding the right pieces to be much better than last years output.
With the Callahans arriving the entire Tennessee offense should get a boost. Running back in a committee is usually a dirty phrase for fantasy players, but as Pollard proved last season, he is better when fresh. Pollard and Spears are very similar backs, so Tennessee’s offense will not tip their hands as to whether they are run or pass with either player on the field. Pollard has the potential to be an RB1. In Tennessee we can expect him to be productive as a high end RB2.
