Little has gone right in recent seasons for the Titans, who are mired in an eight-year playoff drought. But after hitting the nine-win mark for the first time since 2011, scoring more points than they allowed (381 to 378) and narrowly missing out on an AFC South title in 2016, the Titans appear to be trending upward and may enter this season with the best roster in the division.
General manager Jon Robinson has added several notable contributors to the equation since he took the reins in January 2016, with the latest being former Broncos and Jets wide receiver Eric Decker. The Titans signed the veteran red zone threat Sunday, further bolstering an offense that previously nabbed a few pass catchers early in this year’s draft – receiver Corey Davis at No. 5 overall and two third-rounders, wideout Taywan Taylor and tight end Jonnu Smith.
Decker, Davis, Taylor and Smith are part of a unit loaded with skill, as the Marcus Mariota-led attack came into the offseason with prolific tight end Delanie Walker, receivers Rishard Matthews and Tajae Sharpe, and the enviable running back duo of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry already in the fold. Add that to a line which Pro Football Focus ranked as the league’s best last season, and it appears the Titans’ offense is poised to take another step forward after finishing 2016 ninth in DVOA, 11th in total yards and 14th in scoring.
Defensively, Tennessee wasn’t as well off a year ago, placing 24th in DVOA, 20th in yardage and 16th in points. The Titans were particularly woeful against the pass (26th in DVOA, compared to 10th versus the run), so Robinson used the action-packed portions of the offseason to beef up that area of the ‘D’ and give highly regarded coordinator Dick LeBeau more with which to work.
On the first day of free agency in March, the Titans handed lucrative contracts to two of the premier defenders available – former Jaguars safety Jonathan Cyprien and ex-Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan – and then used their other first-rounder (No. 18) on erstwhile USC corner Adoree’ Jackson in April. Although the Titans lost a noteworthy CB in Jason McCourty, whom they released before the draft, it’s inarguable that their secondary looks better than it did last season. Their defensive front could also improve with the signing of ex-Broncos nose tackle Sylvester Williams, a four-year veteran who’s coming off his first 16-start season and will replace the released Al Woods.
It’s clear that the Titans have brought in an array of enticing talent on both sides of the ball this offseason. At the same time, they haven’t lost any indispensable cogs – only role players such as McCourty, Woods, Anthony Fasano, Kendall Wright, and Valentino Blake, among a few others. There’s a case to be made, then, that Titans are the favorites to take the AFC South, which has been a weak division lately and doesn’t include any surefire playoff teams like the Patriots in the AFC East and the Steelers in the AFC North.
While Tennessee’s division rivals – the Colts, Jaguars and the two-time defending champion Texans – may have also gotten better since the end of last season, the additions the Titans made to an already decent foundation could push them over the top in 2017. Alternatively, a wild-card spot might end up in play for the Mike Mularkey-coached Titans, though earning one of those required more victories than winning the AFC South in each of the previous two years.
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No
Their playoff chances? Better than Cleveland or Chicago but no, they aren’t going. Mariota better pick it up BIGTIME.
I think they do. Even if it’s largely on the back of being in a weak division. Colts and Texans both have a strength (Luck and TY v that Texans D) but are deeply flawed outside of that, and the Jaguars have major steps forward to take to be good. The Titans are fairly well rounded offensively and have a made enough secondary changes to have a chance at a respectable defense.
Clearly not a lock, but if they can stay healthy at QB (just like everyone else) then I think they’ve got a slightly better chance than everyone else in the division at winning it.
Best run game in the division with an improving defense and aerial attack.
As long as Mariota continues to improve and they don’t try to force him to do too much (lean on that run game heavily and use Mariota’s arm and legs to keep the opposing defenses honest) their road to the playoffs is easier than any of their division opponents.
Jags aren’t ready yet, Bortles mechanics are whack.
Colts defense is weak even though they made some improvements, O Line is a mess
Tom Savage is the projected starting QB for Houston, not great but I see them as the only threat to Tennessee
Titans have receiving depth, can run the ball down your throat with Murray, Henry, and Mariota. The O line is strong and Mariota will continue to develop. Defense has improved enough to hold strong in a division where you’re only main offensive threat is Luck and the colts offense.
Tennessee goes 10-6 wins the division and gets the 3 seed.
Titans are the only team on the rise in their division.