The Titans want to ride Derrick Henry to a Super Bowl title in 2021, but the acquisition of Julio Jones may be the difference-maker for Tennessee.
Tennessee’s offense frightened opponents with Derrick Henry’s dominating running ability last year. Now that they’ve added Julio Jones to help balance out their offensive attack it has opposing defensive coordinators losing tons of sleep.
The Titans’ defense does need to improve significantly if they want to make a deep playoff run in 2021. The unit gave up 27.4 points per game a season ago. Improving that number could be the difference between an entertaining and historic season for Tennessee.
Best-case scenario
The Titans could conceivably forge the most dangerous offense in the entire NFL. Henry is a lock to beat opposing defenses into submission as long as he stays healthy. The combination of Jones and A.J. Brown at wide receiver will also torment opposing defensive backs.
If the Titans have the No. 1 offense in football and the defense finds a way to raise its play to finish in the middle of the pack then Tennessee will be a strong Super Bowl contender. That’s the blueprint for success in Nashville.
Worst-case scenario
Barring major injuries, it’s hard to envision a scenario where the offense struggles to score points at a healthy clip. It’s much easier to see the team’s defense struggling mightily for a second consecutive season.
Adding Bud Dupree should help the front seven, but this unit still lacks talent on the whole. If the defense fails to hold up their end of the bargain then Tennessee could be a paper tiger by the time the playoffs roll around. A bottom-10 finish on the defensive side of the ball would doom the Titans to an early postseason exit.
X-factor
Titans fans are focusing on Caleb Farley’s ability to boost the secondary as a rookie. The more nuanced take would be to keep an eye on second-year pro Kristian Fulton. He struggled mightily as a rookie but has all the physical tools required to be a top-flight cover corner.
If he makes the jump to become an above-average starter then it really helps the rest of Tennessee’s defensive backs fall into place. Some might think it’s strange to call a cornerback an X-factor, but he has a chance to emerge as a difference-maker for the Titans’ secondary.
Biggest game – Week 5 vs. Buffalo
The Titans host Buffalo on Oct. 18 in a game that should mean a lot for both teams. Tennessee’s defense will really struggle to contain Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and the Buffalo offense.
The big question will be whether or not Tennessee’s offense can win the battle at the line of scrimmage against Buffalo’s physical front seven. The odds favor the Titans doing just that, but if they don’t it could become a pivotal loss for Mike Vrabel’s team.
Bold prediction
Julio Jones is the biggest name in Tennessee’s receiving corps, but he won’t emerge as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver. That honor will remain with A.J. Brown who already has built a great deal of trust with Tannehill.
It’s also fair to point out that Brown’s athletic profile is superior to Jones at this stage of their respective careers. Jones is really going to help this offense, but he won’t be the clear-cut No. 1 guy he always was in Atlanta. Brown will still be the go-to wideout in Tennessee.