The Tennessee Titans came from out of nowhere a season ago to triple their win total from the previous season and compete for a playoff spot. Though they ultimately fell short, there were a ton of memorable moments that have many of the belief that Mike Mularkey’s squad just might be the team to beat in the AFC South. With a win total just under nine wins, linemakers have set the bar and it’s up to this young up and coming squad to prove the hype is for real.
Tennessee Titans Futures Odds at BookMaker.eu
Titans Over 8.5 Wins -175
Titans Under 8.5 Wins +142
2017 Titans Offense Preview
It begins and ends with Marcus Mariota. The former Heisman Trophy winner took major strides last season throwing for over 3,400 yards and upping his touchdowns to 26 up from the 19 he threw in his rookie season. He also bettered the 10 interceptions thrown that year by only throwing nine passes to opposing teams. Unfortunately, he succumbed to injury at the tail end of the year and has now missed the end of his first two seasons in the league. He has all the skill and talent in the world. If he could only stay healthy.
A year removed from stinking up the joint in the City of Brotherly Love, DeMarco Murray showed he had more than just a little tread left on the tires after rushing for 1,287 yards and crossing the goal line nine times. He returns to spearhead the running attack, and is backed by another Heisman winner, Derrick Henry, whose chomping at the bit to run behind one of the best assembled offensive lines in the business. Rounding out the offense are new faces Corey Davis ( draft ) and Eric Decker ( free agency ) to give Mariota more toys than just Delanie Walker to play with.
2017 Titans Defense Preview
Tennessee looks to be solid up front with Jurrell Casey manning the middle of the line. He’s gone to each of the last two Pro Bowls and will be in line for a third straight trip if he continues to be a factor stopping both the run and the pass by getting to the quarterback. He registered five sacks last year but did tally 10.5 back in 2013-14. Outside linebackers Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan combined for 19.5 sacks a year ago which found both of them playing in the Pro Bowl right before the big game.
While there are some nice pieces to the puzzle up front, the secondary is where this team had some major warts. It’s not certain the moves made this past offseason will cure them completely, but the hope is that there is some improvement. The Titans gave up 269.2 passing yards per game ( No. 29 ) and also conceded 25 touchdown passes. First-round draft pick Adoree’ Jackson is being looked upon as the saving grace after excelling at USC in his college years.
2017 Tennessee Titans Schedule Analysis
NFL bettors are going to get a good idea as to how for real the Titz really are this season with three of their first four games coming against teams that went to the playoffs last season. Should they escape the trio of Oakland, Seattle and Houston with at least two wins, Tennessee then gets three of four teams that failed to reach the postseason. Getting the entire cast of the AFC North in the middle of the year looks daunting. That trip to Cleveland isn’t as easy as it looks on paper right now. The Browns will be a better team by then.
Their last five games start off rough with a home game against Houston followed by a trip to the desert to battle the Cardinals, but the regular season schedule then closes out with games against San Francisco, Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars. The last two of which come at home. All in all, this is a challenging schedule but one a team entering the third year of a rebuild can navigate through successfully.
The Final Verdict
The Titans 8.5 season win total is tied for the most in the division along with the Texans. They’re also currently favored ( +142 ), albeit slightly, over Houston ( +153 ) to win the AFC South. This team really took its game to a new level last season. With just everyone back and some real nice additions made, you can’t help but think greener pastures are ahead of this feel good story. Should the Titans fail to surpass their win total, it would mean a tenth straight season without a trip to the playoffs. I believe this team is ready, and it will reward its fan base with another step forward. Lay the heavy juice and hit the over!
NFL Odds: Tennessee Titans Over 8.5 Wins -175
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