Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens Preseason Overview
Malik Willis Gets the 1st Half Reps
The Tennessee Titans began the 2022 preseason schedule at the Baltimore Ravens. For this game, I want to focus on a young player I’ve mentioned before. Malik Willis played every offensive snap in the first half for the Titans.
The Ravens, as they are known to do, brought a lot of defensive pressure on Willis throughout the first half. Willis started the game 0-3 passing, with the rushing game offering little help. Julius Chestnut, the undrafted free-agent RB, was stripped for a fumble which the Ravens recovered. The short field resulted in the first score of the game, a touchdown run by Ravens RB Mike Davis.
After some stagnant preseason play during the middle 1st quarter and headed into the 2nd, Malik Willis started showing some of his promise. Recognizing Ravens defensive tendency from earlier, Willis made a couple of solid check down throws to move the chains.
The Second Quarter
Driving in the opening of the 2nd quarter Willis snapped the ball and immediately faced pressure. After a couple of quick pump fakes, he committed to the run and with deftness and sideline jukes, he glided into the endzone for a Titans touchdown.
On the next possession, on first down, The Titans aired it out and Malik Willis connected with Racey McMatch for a 48 yard pass. The play seemed to be a broken coverage and the ball was under-thrown. That said, Willis hung in there and made the throw after seeing a lot of Baltimore pressure in his first NFL action.
That completion looked like a confidence boost for Willis. The next play he threw an underhand rifle shot at an open TE.
Overall
Ultimately, the Titans lost 23-10. What we learned is Malik Willis can read check downs. He is also dangerous once he starts to run. He didn’t have much of an opportunity to look down the field before he had a Ravens defender in his face. The Titans gave Malik a solid look in the first half against a defense who was eager to play hard. He stood up to the challenge with an encouraging effort.