Fansided

Titans out to prove 2019 was no fluke behind powerful offense

By Will Lomas

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 29: Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) looks over during the game between the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans on December 29, 2019 at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 29: Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) looks over during the game between the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans on December 29, 2019 at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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After a surprise run to the AFC Championship Game, the Tennessee Titans are out to prove their magical 2019 season was no fluke.

Best-case scenario

The Titans return 10 of 11 starters on offense, and the one starter they lost was right tackle Jack Conklin. Tennessee made sure to insulate itself from a potential drop off by re-signing respected backup Dennis Kelly and drafting Isaiah Wilson in the first round of April’s draft.

If this offense is 90 percent of what it was during Ryan Tannehill’s 13-game stretch as a starter, this team could score 500 points for the first time in franchise history and cruise to 12-4 in an AFC South that has lost Andrew Luck, Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, DeAndre Hopkins, Jadeveon Clowney, Eric Ebron, and Calais Campbell in the last calendar year.

Worst-case scenario

While the Titans’ offense has a very high floor, the defense could be an issue.

For sure, there are probably seven starters on defense that would start for most teams in the NFL, but a lot of pressure is on rookie cornerback Kristian Fulton to come in and take over one of the starting positions in Tennessee’s preferred 4-2-5 defense.

The pass rush could look worse this year and when you see how good Harold Landry is with a great pass-rusher opposite him, you could make the argument that the Titans will miss Cameron Wake more than Jurrell Casey.

If the offense drops from 30 points to 21 points per game (roughly the difference between Marcus Mariota’s starts compared to Tannehill’s), the defense could drag this team down if they decide to play coverage instead of blitzing on third down which was a major issue last year.

In that case, 7-9 would be a reasonable floor.

Biggest offseason move

All eyes are on Vic Beasley because he is the only real offseason addition Tennessee made in free agency. However, there are serious concerns about what he will bring to the team since he was so late to camp and spent time on the NFL list.

Because of this, let’s look at backup quarterback Trevor Siemian. There is a lot of uncertainty with what could happen if a quarterback gets sick in the middle of the season, and having a player with real experience in this system and as an NFL starter will be huge.

Draft pick who makes the big impact

Wilson and Darrynton Evans will be key pieces on offense sooner or later, but from Day 1 the rookie that will decide the immediate grade of this draft class is going to be Fulton.

Cornerbacks from LSU have a great reputation and there is a legacy of success there, and over the past few seasons the Titans have put a lot of faith in second-round picks. Combine those two things and you have a player who should be ready to play this level of competition.

Overall expectations

The Titans have spent the past four seasons telling us to expect 9-7, but this is a different team. Tennessee has built the identity of being bullies on the ground who will force you to respect the run game and then make teams look foolish by throwing the ball over your head when they try to stop the run.

Tennessee is no longer looking up at teams like the Indianapolis Colts or Houston Texans. Instead the Titans were the team representing in the AFC Championship and now return most starters.

Look for the Titans to go 10-6, finally getting over the 9-7 hump and make the playoffs as the third seed behind the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.