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NFL

Six Points: Falcons vs. Titans

By FoxSports
Published | Updated
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Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports Sep 3, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans close out a four-game homestand in search of their first win of the season at Nissan Stadium when they host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

The Titans (1-4), enter having lost four straight, including a 38-10 defeat to the Miami Dolphins last week. Tennessee rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota sprained his MCL in the defeat, and is questionable. If Mariota is unable to play, Zach Mettenberger will make his first start of the season.

The Falcons (5-1) are coming off their first loss of the season last week against the New Orleans Saints. Atlanta boasts the NFL's fourth-ranked offense in terms of total yards, averaging 407.3 per game

Here are three keys to the game for both the Falcons and the Titans.

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FALCONS

1. Figure out the pass rushing issues

Regardless of whether or not Marcus Mariota plays, the Falcons have a golden opportunity on their hands. Mariota has fumbled five times thus far in 2015, losing four of those. If Mariota is in there, the Falcons need to get in his face and attempt to force a few more fumbles. The Falcons are tied for the fewest sacks in the league to this point with just seven, but getting pressure on whoever's under center in Tennessee could make a major difference in this game.

2. More touches for Devonta Freeman

Over the previous three weeks before the Falcons lost to the New Orleans Saints, Freeman was averaging a ridiculous 29.3 touches per game (rushes and receptions combined). In the Week 6 loss to the Saints? Freeman received just 13 carries and eight catches. It was obvious that Freeman is still ready to produce at a ridiculously high level, as he turned those 13 carries into 100 yards, while tacking on 56 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. At this point, there's no logical reason to shy away from running the offense through Freeman.

3. Don't force the action in the passing game

The Falcons have done a great job this season of not forcing it to the likes of Julio Jones, or even forcing the passing game if it's not working. This needs to continue against a Titans defense that ranks No. 1 in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game at just 184. If the run game is working, Atlanta shouldn't slow down, and should even turn to Tevin Coleman at the times when Freeman needs to breather. Atlanta has two talented runners, so there's no need to continually attack one of the best passing defenses in the NFL.

TITANS

1. Contain the Atlanta running game

The Titans enter the game with the fifth-worst run defense in the league, giving up an average of 129.6 yards per game on the ground. If Tennessee can't slow down Freeman, who has scored nine touchdowns this season, it figures to be a long afternoon.

2. Pick a back and stick with him

Tennessee has employed a running-back-by-committee approach thus far, but in doing so, the team has failed to establish any sort of consistency at the position. As ESPN's Paul Kuharsky pointed out earlier this week, no Tennessee running back has had more than 13 carries in one game. With the quarterback situation uncertain this week, the Titans need to get the running game going. Ken Whisenhunt needs to decide which back he wants to feature this week and give him a steady dose of carries.

3. Limit explosive plays

Jones, who has been dealing with a hamstring issue most of the season, has cooled off slightly of late. However, he still remains a dangerous target for Matt Ryan and isn't listed on the team's injury report, indicating he's healthy. The Titans have displayed a penchant for giving up big plays allowing five completions of 40 yards or more. That can't happen against this Falcons offense.