NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans face the Washington Redskins on Saturday at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch:
Henry's Momentum
Titans running back Derrick Henry has 408 rushing yards the past two games. He's only the fifth player since 2002 to record 170-plus yards and two touchdowns in consecutive games. If Henry runs for 170-plus yards against the Redskins, he'll join O.J. Simpson and Earl Campbell as the only players in NFL history who have done so in three straight games. With 200 rushing yards as a team on Saturday, it would mark the first three-game streak of its kind in franchise history. The Redskins are ranked 18th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (116.6), but they've really struggled stopping the run of late. Expect plenty of handoffs to Henry.
Mariota Success
In this space a week ago we discussed quarterback Marcus Mariota's success against the NFC. Well, he'll face another one on Saturday against the Redskins. In the past four games at home vs. NFC teams, Mariota has eight touchdowns and two interceptions with a 103.2 rating. He's completed 66.7 percent of his passes with 6 TDs vs 3 INTs and a 96.4 rating in five home games this season. The Titans need him to stay sharp.
Defense
The Titans have been stout on defense this season, especially in recent weeks. The Titans have allowed just one touchdown in the last 12 quarters, and the unit provided the franchise's first shutout since 2000 last week against the Giants. The defense is back up to No.2 in the NFL in scoring defense. The Redskins are ranked 28th in the NFL on offense – and 28th in scoring.
Stopping AP
More specifically on Saturday, the Titans want to stop Redskins running back Adrian Peterson, who has 923 yards and seven touchdown on the season. Peterson has 100-plus scrimmage yards in two of three games vs. Tennessee, and he 646 scrimmage yards (92.3 per game) and four touchdowns in seven road games this season. The Titans did a great job defending Giants running back Saquon Barkley, and they can't afford a letdown this week.
Turnover Battle
The Redskins are a plus-9 in takeaway/giveaway category, compared to minus-2 for the Titans. The Redskins have forced 25 turnovers this season, and on defense they'll be looking to make game-turning plays, keeping in mind their offense has had some issues of late. The Titans created some big turnovers against the Giants, and the hope is it's a start of a flurry. On offense, the Titans can't afford to give up points like the pick-6 vs. the Jets a few weeks back.
Corey Davis vs. Josh Norman
With Tajae Sharpe banged up and questionable after missing practices all week, the Titans are even thinner at receiver. Corey Davis, with 57 catches for 798 yards and four touchdowns, has been a playmaker for the Titans this season. He'll face a scrappy cornerback in Washington's Josh Norman. This is a one-on-one battle that should be fun to watch. The Titans will likely need to see Davis make some plays in this one.
