Baltimore Ravens vs Tennessee Titans: 3 Bold Predictions
Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (34) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Lorenzo Taliaferro will outrush Justin Forsett
Though the Titans have struggled against the run this year, there is a very specific kind of back they have struggled against. Some of the biggest games they have surrendered came against DeMarco Murray, Ben Tate and Arian Foster. Those are all similar style backs: Big, explosive through the hole and powerful.
Against speed backs like Giovanni Bernard and Jamaal Charles, though, this Titans’ defense has been downright salty.
The Titans’ struggles with big backs makes sense considering their smaller linebackers, such as Wesley Woodyard and Avery Williamson.
With that in mind, Lorenzo Taliaferro should probably be a focal point of the offense, perhaps at the expense of Justin Forsett. Forsett will still get carries, perhaps even more than Taliaferro. In terms of pure production, though, Taliaferro’s overwhelming size and power should help him be the Ravens’ lead back by the end of this game.
Worth pointing out: The Ravens absolutely will run the football in this game. The Titans’ defense is weakest against the run, and the Ravens are probably looking forward to establishing themselves as a physical football team after two straight finesse-oriented games. Accordingly, Taliaferro could be in line for a big game as long as he holds on to the football.