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Associated Press 8y

Titans ready for challenge of slowing down Raiders' offense

NFL, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans don't need to look at the NFL rankings to know just how productive the Oakland Raiders have been through the first two games.

They can turn to video to see Derek Carr throwing down the field to Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper or Latavius Murray running away from defenders to know the challenge they face Sunday.

"Obviously, these guys in the first two weeks are the best," Titans defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said Thursday.

"It's there statistically. You don't have to tell our guys that situation. They have eyes, and they can read. They know what they're playing against. Our guys are ready for the challenge. It'll be a good game."

Oakland is averaging 31.5 points per game, behind only Carolina and San Diego. Nobody has averaged more than the Raiders in total offense with 470 yards so far.

Titans (1-1) are one of only two NFL teams to allow only one offensive touchdown through two games along with Seattle.

It's the stingiest start by this franchise since 2010 and is only the fifth time in the team's history that they've given up one or fewer offensive touchdowns through two games. It's a big change from last season when the Titans gave up 45 touchdowns and ranked 27th in points allowed.

Titans coach Mike Mularkey said holding two offenses to one touchdown has to make you pretty happy. The Titans held Detroit to one touchdown a week after the Lions scored 39 points in their opening win at Indianapolis.

Mularkey said the opponent can have a "gazillion yards" as long as they don't get into the end zone.

"It's whether you score more points than the other team is all that matters," Mularkey said.

The Titans feel very familiar with the Raiders. This will be the third game between the teams since last November, and the linebackers watched tape Thursday of that 24-21 loss to Oakland in Nashville last season.

Linebacker Wesley Woodyard said that hurt considering the Raiders scored the winning touchdown late with help of a defensive penalty.

The Titans may get linebacker Derrick Morgan back after he missed last week's game with an injured left hamstring.

Morgan will test himself in practice at full speed Friday, though rookie Kevin Dodd got his first career sack replacing Morgan in the starting lineup in Detroit. The Titans sacked Matthew Stafford four times in that game.

Defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, still looking for his first sack this season after having seven in 2015, said he thinks the Titans are prepared for this challenge.

"They got a tough challenge ahead of them, so it's up to them to bring their `A' game because we're going to bring ours," Casey said.

Game notes
WR Kendall Wright also practiced Thursday, taking a third of the work. He has yet to play this season while he recovers from a strained left hamstring. ... Mularkey said Josh Kline practiced more at right guard and the Titans will make a decision on who replaces Chance Warmack by Friday.

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Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker

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