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Titans need Marcus Mariota to stay healthy and finally shine

By Michael Moraitis

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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In his fifth season, Marcus Mariota needs to prove he’s worthy of a huge contract by staying healthy and driving Tennessee to the playoffs.

Best-case scenario

Marcus Mariota is healthy for a full 16-game slate, and he’s proves a franchise quarterback. Mariota doesn’t have to carry the offense, but he does have to provide consistent quarterback play and be a nice complement to a rushing attack.

On defense, the Titans need their talented group of young linebackers to take that next step. Specifically edge rusher, Harold Landry. The Titans lacked a good pass-rush in 2018 and need Landry, along with veteran rusher Cameron Wake, to give the team a boost in that area.

Worst-case scenario

If Mariota suffers a significant injury in 2019. Not only that, but backup quarterback Ryan Tannehill not proving to be a quality insurance policy would be the nail in the coffin for the Titans’ season. This would leave Tennessee with a major question mark at the quarterback position once again in 2020, and the team would then have to navigate the rocky waters of finding another franchise signal-caller.

No team wants to tread in those waters, and the Titans having to do so again would mean the Mariota experiment was a total failure after five seasons.

Confidence level (Low, medium or high)

High.

Yes, there are concerns about Mariota, however the Titans do have a solid backup in Tannehill. Not to mention, Tennessee has given Mariota easily the best group of pass-catchers he’s ever had in his career. Aside from the quarterback situation, Tennessee will sport an elite run game with running back Derrick Henry at the helm, and an improved offensive line to pave the way and keep Mariota upright. The Titans’ defense returns a ton of starters on a unit that ranked as the third-best scoring defense in 2018.

X-Factor

The receiving corps.

It’s really a toss-up between wide receivers Adam Humphries and A.J. Brown. We know Humphries is a stud over the middle and a huge asset on third downs, but Brown has No. 1 receiver potential on an offense that already sports Corey Davis.

Brown can play both on the outside and in the slot, so his versatility is key. If Brown can get going early on, it will be impossible for opposing defenses to zero in on any one receiver, while also trying to stop an elite run game.

Turning point

Week 2 agaisnt the Indianapolis Colts.

With Andrew Luck retired, the job goes to Jacoby Brissett. Luck tormented the Titans, but now it’s a new day. Can Tennessee finally handled business and get off to a good start in the division?

Tennessee can really turn some heads and start creating some believers in the notion that this team is different than years past. Without that win, people will think this is just the same old 9-7 (or worse) Titans.

Best moment in team history

The Music City Miracle.

Everything from tight end Frank Wychek’s lateral to wide receiver Kevin Dyson’s run was legendary. It is one of the greatest single plays in NFL history. Not only did it propel the Titans to victory over the Buffalo Bills in their Wild Card matchup, but it paved the way for Tennessee to make its first trip to the Super Bowl — albeit with a bad end result thanks to a loss to the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV.

Regardless, it helped put the football franchise in Tennessee on the map.