Buffalo Bills: Keys to Victory and Final Score Prediction for Week 5
Defend play action pass threat
Buffalo Bills fans are more than familiar with Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill because of the time spent early in his career with the Miami Dolphins. Before getting to Tennessee, most Bills fans weren’t too afraid of Tannehill’s game, but his sample with the Titans is enough to give some cause for concern. Since joining the Titans, Tannehill is 10-3 as a starter compared to a mediocre 42-46 during his time in Miami.
It isn’t necessarily Tannehill that should be the primary concern for the Buffalo Bills defense in Week 5, but rather how frequently and efficiently this Titans offense utilizes play action to compliment the threatening running game. According to Pro Football Reference, Tannehill has one of the highest yards per play action play in the league.
Most yards per play action pass:
— Pro Football Reference (@pfref) October 11, 2020
1. Kirk Cousins - 11.73
2. Josh Allen - 10.52
3. Ryan Tannehill - 10.38
4. Drew Brees - 9.94
5. Dak Prescott - 9.60
With Matt Milano ruled out for Week 5, this puts either A.J. Klein or Tyrel Dodson as his replacement alongside Tremaine Edmunds. The prior injuries to Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds this season have pushed Klein and Dodson into the lineup on multiple occasions already this season. However, it will be interesting to see which linebacker will be lining up next to Edmunds in the nickel package this week because the Titans utilize running offensive personnel well to disguise their play-action pass game.
Additionally, the Titans love to use breakout star tight end Jonnu Smith on play action passes, as he is tied with wide receiver Adam Humphries for the team lead in targets with 20 in three games. Without Milano in the lineup, this makes Smith a bigger concern to the Bills defense in week 5.