Cowboys vs. Titans: 5 questions from behind enemy lines

The Dallas Cowboys will host the Tennessee Titans in Week Nine. The Landry Hat went behind enemy lines to get some insider information.

The Dallas Cowboys are set to take on the Tennessee Titans for a Monday night matchup in Week Nine. Coming off their bye week, Dallas has made many intriguing changes that should have the sporting world watching. The biggest being the debut of new wide receiver Amari Cooper.

As for the matchup itself, not only are the Cowboys and the Titans both 3-4 in the standings, but they appear to have similar issues offensively. Namely, they both have struggled to score the ball this season. To get some further insider intel on Tennessee, The Landry Hat went behind enemy lines and deep-dived five questions from Titan Sized site experts Matias Wodner and Will Lomas.

1. Is there a trade you wished the Titans would have pulled off before the deadline?

WL: if everything is on the table, I really wanted them to go after Gabe Jackson the guard from Oakland. I think he is a talented young player and the Raiders seem to be trying to get rid of as many talented players as they can these days. The receivers are all the talk, but if I could have matched any trade in the NFL I wish the Titans would have gone after Snacks Harrison to help improve the run game.

2. What’s been the team’s biggest surprise so far this season to you?

MW: The ineptitude of the offense. Matt LaFleur was brought on as OC with hopes that he could replicate some of the success of Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan, both of whom he has worked with closely and learned from.

The offense has looked like the Mike Mularkey/Terry Robiskie offense more often than not this year and LaFleur has shown his inexperience as a playcaller. But it hasn’t been all his fault: High round draft picks like Taywan Taylor, Jonnu Smith and Derrick Henry have been utterly disappointing.

3. What would you consider to be the Titans’ biggest strength? Biggest weakness?

MW: It’s tough to find a true strength, but the secondary is easily the best unit on the team at the moment. They’ve given up a fair amount of big plays, but that was because of Malcolm Butler’s early struggles and Kenny Vaccaro’s backup not pulling his weight.

I talked about it in the second question, but the offense is clearly the biggest weakness. The running game has been just as awful as the passing offense, so choose your poison as to which aspect of the offense has been worse.

4. Who is one relatively unknown player that will surprise Cowboys fans on Monday night?

WL: There are a couple off the top of my head. Logan Ryan and Adoree’ Jackson have been really good this year and Kenny Vaccaro doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. If I had to pick just one player it would be WR Tajae Sharpe. He has been the Titans only sure handed WR and has carved out a role as the Titans chain moving WR2. He is someone I expect to be a much bigger part of the offense after the bye week.

5. What’s your prediction for the upcoming game and score?

MW: Dallas has been flawless at home and just made a big move at WR, which gives me some reservation about my prediction, but I think the Titans’ defense holds the Cowboys in check and the Titans ride Dion Lewis and Derrick Henry for a couple of scores. Titans win 20-17.