Yeah, they are 1-2, same as the other AFC South teams, and the title is technically incorrect if you factor in division and conference record. So temper your Titans fever accordingly, world.

The win at Tampa felt too easy to appreciate. Jameis Winston was just terrible, and Mariota threw mostly quick short and medium passes–and had a major gaffe near his own end zone erased by a defensive penalty. I did not celebrate much, as this felt more like a Bucs loss.

When I heard Johnny Manziel was starting on Cleveland’s Week 2 home opener, I felt confident that a solid defensive game plan would do it.

Yeah Manziel is a second-year veteran, but c’mon. What I did not count on was LeBeau still favoring the Cover Zero featured on the last play of that Steelers Wild Card overtime loss at Denver several years ago. Travis Benjamin scored two TDs off Manziel bombs, and a third on a punt return. The Browns defense reached the backfield frequently in the first half, and at halftime it was 21-0. But, the offense got some rhythm in the 3rd quarter to make it 21-14. It ended 28-14.

There’s no shame in losing to Cleveland when Benjamin played out of his mind, as did the Browns’ D and special teams–which gave the Titans lousy field position for most of the game. My only hope, for the sake of the Titans’ defensive unit, is that Manziel has an additional decent outing before being Tebowed from the NFL.  I’m already bracing for the 50-point trouncing scheduled for Week 15 against the Pats.

Having suppressed joy after the first win, there was no crash heading into Week 3 being 1-1. The Colts always win against Tennessee; the only question was whether it would be a blowout or one of those Stoop-To-Your-Level until the fourth-quarter neck stomp. Well, it turns out that the game was neither: the Titans are good enough to overcome a 14-point first quarter deficit and build a decent lead into the fourth, but bad enough to cede 21 points at the end and derp horribly a two-point conversion FROM THE ONE-YARD LINE IN WHICH THE FULLBACK MANAGED TO LOSE 15 YARDS. 

Week 4 byes are usually the lamest; yet, for the Titans critical distance from all their mistakes might be just what they need. The special teams gaffes on Week 2 did not carry over to Week 3, but last Sunday the defense just looked gassed in the fourth quarter. CB Jason McCourty hopes to return on Week 5 against the Bills, which would definitely help.

RG Chance Warmack may also come back for that Bills game, but you’d have to look for enthusiasm elsewhere; in less than two games into the 2015 season, he has accumulated several holding and false start penalties. Bishop Sankey seems like the league leader in shortness of leash for starting RBs, while Terrance West has gone from the Dawg Pound (immaturity) to the doghouse (fumbling). Plug-in rushers Dexter McCluster and former practice squadder Antonio Andrews have been decent, as have rookie WR Dorial Green-Beckham (3 catches, two TDs), Delanie Walker, Kendall Wright, Harry Douglas, and Anthony Fasano. But I may just have to switch beer for Klonopin if the RBs AND WRs keep dropping what seem like two first down conversions per game.

And then there’s Marcus Mariota, who can be expected to lose his helmet on a hit in every game. On TV his physique looks slight, and he has been thrown around like a rag doll. The protection just hasn’t been there, but he does not seem to mind much hits, pressure, drops, penalties, fumbles (by him or others), a pick-6 that was actually a drop… Nothing seems to faze him; his default mode is being focused and studious. In short, this rookie has brought a lot of fight and professionalism to the team. It sucks that I don’t get to see him this week.

I’d be happy if this team finished 6-10. Well, the Titans have four games against the Jaguars and Texans, and one each against the Saints and Dolphins. Mariota has taken this offense the length of the field, in non-garbage time, being down (and up) by two or more scores. So I reconsidered: I am already happy.