Bills vs. Titans: What's the Game Plan for Tennessee?

Another big game comes this Sunday for the Tennessee Titans as they try to finally turn a "moral victory" into an actual victory in the win column.

The Titans will get perhaps their toughest defensive opponent of the season to date as the Buffalo Bills come to Nissan Stadium.

This game has all the makings of a low-scoring affair. If you like defensive battles, then this one could end up being right up your alley.

Offensive Game Plan

Another slow start will spell disaster for the Titans against a well-coached Rex Ryan defense. For the offense to be successful, they will have to be efficient on first down.

The Bills have a potent pass rush that will significantly test a shaky Titans offensive line. That means the offense has to get the ball out of Marcus Mariota's hands quickly. Short and intermediate routes will keep Mariota from taking too many hits, and potentially keep the Titans from too many 3rd-and-long situations.

As good as the Bills are on defense, they're not world beaters against the pass. They're also struggling to get to opposing quarterbacks despite the talent they have on the roster.

Don't be shocked at all if we finally see Mariota use his legs on some designed runs. The way you combat aggressive defenses is by keeping them guessing. If the Titans become predictable, Ryan's defense will feast on that. 

Kendall Wright and Harry Douglas are two players who need to be heavily involved in the passing game. Both are effective at getting yards after the catch. Douglas still hasn't had a breakout game in a Titans uniform, but he could be due against the Bills.

Antonio Andrews' role should also expand. He's one game back from injury, and had 12 carries in the loss to the Colts. Getting him the ball on short passes, along with draw plays will keep an aggressive defense off balance.

Mariota's decision-making will have to live up to its reputation as Ryan will throw a lot of different looks at him. It will be similar to what the Titans faced in Week 2 against the Browns. The Titans cannot afford to give up a short field to a Bills offense that will be limited. 

Defensive Game Plan

The Titans will ultimately have to win this game on defense. With the Bills thin at running back, the Titans have a great chance of making this a one-dimensional game against an inexperienced quarterback.

The Bills will be without their top two running backs, per Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com:

"

#Bills RBs LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams ruled out for game vs #Titans. WR Sammy Watkins listed as questionable

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 9, 2015"

With both LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams out with injuries, the Bills will have to lean on Boobie Dixon at running back. Dixon has never been a feature back, and the Titans should be able to capitalize on this.

Forcing Tyrod Taylor to win this game with his arm will be favorable for the Titans. The banged up Bills could also end up being without Sammy Watkins, who's listed as questionable on the team's injury report. 

Charles Clay is one Bills weapon on offense that the Titans can't overlook. Tight ends have given the Titans issues in recent years, and Taylor will look to find Clay often. 

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Getting Jason McCourty back from injury will certainly be a major upgrade for a secondary that has had some lapses, particularly in the Week 2 loss to the Browns. If the Titans keep the big plays from happening, then they'll keep this a low-scoring game. That means keeping Taylor from extending drives by breaking containment and running down the field for first downs. 

The Bills simply don't have the firepower on offense to present a major challenge to a Titans defense that is solid up front. If they were at full strength, then this would be a different story. The Titans just need to bottle up the run, and force Taylor to throw 40-plus times. He hasn't proven in his brief career that he can win those types of games. 

Final Prediction

The Titans are catching the Bills at the best possible time. They're coming off of a bye week, while the Bills are limping in with key injuries at running back and wide receiver.

Mariota will have another efficient outing by managing the game effectively. He's not going to put up flashy numbers, but he'll make the throws that matter.

Winning the battle in the trenches will put the Titans over the top. They should get Andrews involved heavily, and also figure out creative ways to get the ball to their receivers in space. 

The Bills will be inexperienced at both quarterback and running back, and the Titans' improving defense will take advantage of that. 

The Titans finally get over the hump to win this one, 17-13.