Falcons Coach Arthur Smith Returns to Face Titans; Significant Game Amid Trade Deadlines and Player Performance Concerns

Titans Struggle with Recent Losses and Injured Key Players as Falcons Coach Arthur Smith Comes in Armed with a Winning Streak and Notable Defense Improvements; Trade Deadline Adds Pressure for Derrick Henry's Potential Final Game with Titans.

• Falcons Coach Arthur Smith returns to face his former team, the Titans. Smith, originally from Memphis, spent a decade with the Titans and helped lead them through four different coaching regimes.
• The Falcons, led by Smith, are currently leading the NFC South with a win-loss record of 4-3, coming off a recent narrow victory against Tampa Bay at 16-13. Smith has significantly improved the Falcons' defensive performance, ranking them seventh in total defense in the league.
• The Titans are struggling with a series of challenges. They lost 11 of their last 13 games and hold a current record of 2-4. Their regular quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, is also injured and might be replaced by rookie Will Levis as the starter against the Falcons.
• The NFL trade deadline puts additional pressure on the Titans, who recently traded two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to Philadelphia. Speculations abound that Derrick Henry, the AP NFL 2020 Offensive Player of the Year and three-time Pro Bowl running back, might also leave the Titans, adding to the game's significance.
• Despite these difficulties, the Titans have shown solid performance post-bye under Coach Mike Vrabel, boasting a 5-0 record. This could create a challenging environment for the Falcons, especially considering the upcoming match is the Titans' only home game in a seven-week span.

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