6 keys to victory for Tennessee in Week 1

The Titans added veteran receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd and replaced the loss of Derrick Henry with Tony Pollard. For Will Levis to successfully utilize these pieces, he must be protected. In nine games last season, Levis was sacked 28 times, over three times per game. That cannot happen if the Titans want their quarterback to have any longevity. Win or lose, the Titans’ number one goal has to be protecting Levis so he can work his magic.

The Titans’ depth on defense is slim; there’s not a lot to pull from if a guy needs a break or gets injured, so the defensive side must work efficiently. No unwasted movement, no unnecessary or dangerous tackles, and staying hydrated throughout the game. The defense must do everything possible to stay healthy until players return from injuries.

The last quarterback drafted in the top spot to win his debut game was David Carr in 2002. Caleb Williams aims to change that on Sunday when the Bears host the Titans, but it’s not going to be easy. The Titans have a game plan on defense, one that considers the limited depth they face. As long as everyone sticks to the game plan, disrupting Williams’ rhythm and forcing him to make mistakes shouldn’t be hard. This is the number one thing the Titans can do to steer the game in their direction. Making Williams uncomfortable and forcing him to make decisions he doesn’t want to make will lead to mistakes and the Titans getting the ball back.

Brian Callahan and Dennard Wilson are in their first year in their respective positions. It…