Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward has to turn red-zone trips into touchdowns if Tennessee is going to challenge Baltimore on Sunday. Locked On Titans host Tyler Rowland argued that Ward’s struggles near the goal line have become the clearest obstacle to an upset bid against the Baltimore Ravens.
Rowland said the Titans went 1-for-3 in the red zone last week and entered the matchup having scored touchdowns on 4 of 8 red-zone possessions. He sees an opportunity against a Ravens defense that has allowed touchdowns on 7 of 10 opponent trips inside the 20, but Ward must capitalize on it.
The host’s upset formula is straightforward: Baltimore may move the ball between the 20s behind quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, but Tennessee has to force field goals while finishing its own drives in the end zone. Rowland projected that a narrow scoring edge in the red zone, rather than a shutdown defensive performance, offers the most realistic path to a surprise result.
Ward also gets a defense with some schematic familiarity. Rowland said Baltimore’s disguise-heavy approach carries principles similar to the looks Ward saw from the New York Giants last week under Dennard Wilson, who previously coached in Baltimore. The Ravens have more talent and different answers than the Giants, but Rowland believes the overlap could make this less of a blind test for the young quarterback.
Tennessee cannot let that familiarity become an excuse for another stalled possession. Baltimore’s coverages are designed to cloud the middle of the field, and Rowland expects the Titans to search for cleaner throws outside before using those completions to create space inside. Ward’s decision-making, accuracy, and willingness to take the available throw will matter most once the field shrinks.
Defensively, Rowland urged the Titans to rush four and keep seven defenders in coverage rather than blitz Jackson. That plan puts the burden on the front to create pressure without opening escape lanes or quick answers for Baltimore’s quarterback. If the rush fails, Rowland warned, Jackson can turn the game into a difficult assignment for the secondary.
The Titans enter as heavy underdogs, and Rowland picked Baltimore to win 31-17. His case for an upset still starts in the same place: Ward turning Tennessee’s red-zone chances into touchdowns and giving the defense a lead it can protect.
Titans News and Notes
– Special teams remains a major swing factor. Rowland said the unit ranks last in the NFL in expected points added and has cost the Titans 22.9 expected points, making ball security from Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike and cleaner execution essential against a Baltimore team that has also struggled in that phase.
– Titans linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September after recording 34 tackles and 2 passes defensed while allowing opposing receivers only 76 yards in three games. Rowland expects Hill and Tennessee’s linebackers to handle a demanding assignment against Henry, Jackson, tight end Mark Andrews, and wide receiver Zay Flowers.
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