The AFC South has been ruled by the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts this decade, but the Tennessee Titans are the favorites to win the division coming into the 2017 season. There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Tennessee coming into the season. They have the most settled quarterback position due to a lingering shoulder injury that’s hindering Andrew Luck’s recovery and have mostly made the right moves in their rebuilding phase. If Marcus Mariota can take the step forward the Titans think he can, this team could go very far in the postseason.
AFC South Odds at BookMaker.eu
Tennessee Titans +165
Houston Texans +190
Indianapolis Colts +325
Jacksonville Jaguars +700
Why the Tennessee Titans Will Win the AFC South
To win in this league, you need a quarterback. The Titans have one of the more promising ones in Mariota. Mariota broke his leg at the end of last season, but has fully recovered and has looked very sharp in both training camp and preseason. He had a very solid sophomore campaign and has proven to be a very accurate passer during his two seasons in the league. His mobility gives him an extra dynamic and defenses must be cautious of his ability to tuck it and run.
Tennessee has a fantastic 1-2 punch at running back in DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. Murray was acquired for cheap from Philadelphia and proved that he still had a lot left in the tank in his first season with the Titans. Because of Murray’s injury history, the Titans thought it best to complement him with another runner. When Heisman Trophy winning Henry slipped to the second round of the draft, the Titans pounced. He took a lot of the pressure off of Murray and his big body made him tough to tackle late. This duo should be even better this year.
The front office decided to give Mariota all the help he can get at receiver too. The Titans had very mediocre receivers for his first two years in the league, but things are better now that he has the reliable Eric Decker to throw to. Tennessee is hoping that Corey Davis can be the big play threat this team needs too and took him at the No. 5 pick in the draft this year. This unit should be much better in 2017.
Jack Conklin and Taylor Lewan might be the best tackle duo in the NFL this season. The Titans used first round picks on both players in recent years and although some questioned the decision to draft Conklin over Laremy Tunsil, that move has paid off. Lewan made the Pro Bowl last season, while Conklin was named an All-Pro as a rookie.
The linebacking corps is the strength of the defense. Avery Williamson is a do-it-all tackling machine, while Brian Orakpo proved to be worth the money Tennessee gave him last offseason after a debut season where he notched 10.5 sacks.
Why the Tennessee Titans Won't Win the AFC South
The interior offensive line is just not that good. Although Tennessee had a successful running game last season, it wasn’t as good as it could have been. Interior line play is crucial as the season wears on and is needed for the continued health of Mariota. If this unit continues to struggle, it could submarine the Titans.
Tennessee’s three man defensive line was decent last season, but nose tackle Jurrell Casey is the key. The two ends aren’t very effective and that can be a problem against bigger running backs.
The biggest problem lies in the secondary. Although the Titans took steps to address that, it’s going to be difficult for that unit to gel quickly. This unit should be a little bit better than it was last season, but the signings of Logan Ryan and Jonathan Cyprien to be the two new cornerbacks aren’t great.
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