There was a tangible preseason buzz about the Titans, and I called them a chic sandwich in the preview. The present state is a wholly different reality. The hip AFC South team is THE TEXANS, thanks to DeShaun Watson. Hell, even the Jaguars, who have ZERO prime time games scheduled for 2017, have been buzzy—thanks to a dynamite defense and Leonard Fournette. How ironic: the last Titans game was a Week 7 victory in Cleveland 12-9 (in overtime) and, after weeks of having a sandwich every day, the mere thought of bread covering anything makes me sick. But enough hurricane talk; it’s footbaw time.

In recent Titan seasons, this has stood out: missed tackles, horrid special teams, killer penalties, and uneven quarterback play. This season, Tennessee has the second-best punter in the game (Brett Kern), a kicker with 100% success inside the 50 (Ryan Succop), and penalties have gone down. This calls for an earnest “Woo”.

The Titans exited their Week 8 bye at 4-3, atop the AFC South, and 2-1 in the division. (Last year they went 2-4 in the AFC South.) Can’t ask for more, considering how the Titans have played. Tennessee got outmuscled in the first game against Oakland (with great outings by current disappointments Amari Cooper and Marshawn Lynch), got thoroughly pasted in Houston, and got the expected result after starting Matt Cassel in Miami. That’s the three losses.

The Titans defense did not have a good start (rookie CB Adoree’ Jackson was thrown to constantly), but settled down after the Texans 56-point debacle in Week 4. Sure, the offenses met since then have been crap (Dolphins, Colts, and Pauls), but successful defensive adjustments in the second halves of games have been noticeable. This inspires confidence, especially compared to the pigheaded offensive staff who, for some reason, had Matt Cassel throw 32 TIMES at Miami. Yeah, I already bitched about that in a previous post—what. Ever; NEVER FORGET:

Second-year safety Kevin Byard and ageless LB Wesley Woodyard have been consistently great. Safety Jonathan Cyprien, a necessary piece, started in Week 1 and has missed the rest of the year—but will return. But the most pressing defensive need is pass rush; there’s been lotta QB hurries, not much else. Drives me nuts.

Special teams… No complaints. Adoree’ Jackson will break a return for a TD.

Regarding the offense, this is how exotic I like my smashmouth:

The plays have been called, but to no effect. DeMarco Murray has been bugged by a hamstring injury since the preseason, and the OL play has been… Mixed. Them big fellas haven’t been pushing defenses around like last year. More worrying, staring LG Quinton Spain is injured and will be subbed by Brian Schwenke, C/G swing guy waived by the Titans AND Colts in 2017 before signing again with Tennessee. That’s solid seething material; I’d say ??? and a ½ out of five.

2017 has not been Mariota’s best season:

That’s 110/176 (62.5%), 7.4 yards per attempt, 4 TDs, 4 INTs. Mariota was money in the Red Zone—until this year: the whole Titans offense is next to last in TD percentage in the Red Zone, at 41.2% (via @NFLMatchup). Eric Decker’s contribution to the team has been a decent outing against the Colts; he’s also had injuries since the preseason. And that’s pretty much everything that’s been wrong—which I’d say is a very nice outlook.

WR Rishard Matthews is a baller; it seems like most of his catches are third-down conversions. At best, his stats could reach great Michael Crabtree seasons—except Matthews is very sure handed. RB Derrick Henry got hurt in the Colts game, so the bye week seems to have been very opportune to him as well.

Getting back to Mariota, this is his third season. Like the two before, he’s missed at least a game due to injury (knee in ’15, broken leg in ’16, hamstring in ’17). This year, he’s added “Playing hurt and winning” to his pro résumé—and keep in mind that taking away his running ability makes a defense’s job a lot easier. He’s all business and doesn’t get fazed: after throwing a 53-yard TD bomb against the Colts, Mariota shoved RG Spain away from a tussle caused by a late hit on Marcus (see banner pic). And coach Mike Mularkey declared Mariota “100%” on his first practice after the bye.

Also coming back from a hamstring injury (rusty Bowflex at the facility? WTF!), WR Corey Davis, the 5th draft pick. He played superbly against Oakland and… And that’s it: he also missed the preseason. But he’s getting into the lineup, one way or the other. Fellow rookie WR Taywan Taylor has been featured both as rusher and receiver (notably the 53-yard bomb above). From what I’ve seen, I wouldn’t mind him getting more snaps per game. TE Delanie Walker was injured just before the bye (bone bruise). There is no substitute for Walker in this offense, although rookie TE Jonnu Smith is able.

To sum up, the offense has been bit by injuries and all new WRs (vet Decker plus rookies Taylor and Davis), have barely played. Time should make the unit perform better, and the remaining slate is pretty manageable:

vs. Ravens – They have traditionally owned the Titans, fuck you. This ends Sunday.

vs. Bengals – I pray for Adoree’ to get the return TD while Adam Jones watches.

@ Pittsburgh – TNF. The Dick LeBeau Revenge game. God I hope The Ben continues to suck, and that Mike Munchak gets the guts to pull on Derrick Henry’s dreads.

@ (tanking?) Indy – Sweep the Clots Potential = Trap Game Fretting. God dammit.

vs. Texans – Legit flexable game, but features zero NFC East teams.

@ Arizona – Dear Blax: please scream “Give it to Henry you fucks!” at the Titans sideline.

@ San Francisco – If TEN spawns “Is Jimmy Garoppolo elite?” columns, fuck it: hire Bill Cowher and clean house.

vs. RAMMITT! – Legit flex #2, only for the LA thing.

vs. Jaguars – Legit flex #3, which might just happen. In fact, let me guarantee that I will gloat unbearably if it happens, as much as TEN winning the Super Bowl, because I am a spiteful and petty guy when it comes to NFL fans bitching about AFC South teams being on TV. Yeah, only about that.

To sum up, I see 3-5 losses in that slate, with 3 being PLAYOFFS BABY! and 5 “We need another year for the young guys to jell—Mariota’s just turned 24 fer Chrissakes!”. And even if the Titans do take off this year, nobody will care until Tennessee is good enough to be envied or hated. Looking forward to it.

Banner via titansonline.com