With a former Heisman Trophy winning running back paired with a rookie wide receiver that made waves in his first go round at the NFL level, the Tennessee Titans mustered just enough offense to punch their ticket and make some noise in the playoffs a season ago. From there, they went on to upset the New England Patriots in Foxboro and then shocked the Baltimore Ravens as decided underdogs in M&T Bank Stadium before running out of gas in the fourth quarter of the AFC title game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mike Vrabel has coached this team to 9-7 records in each of his two seasons in Nashville. In fact, the Titz have won nine regular season games in four straight seasons. With that, does it really come as a surprise that linemakers at online sportsbooks have the team’s 2020-21 season win total odds lined at 9?
Quarterback play had been an Achilles Heel for the Titans franchise ever since the Steve McNair era. The Marcus Mariota experiment failed miserably. Thankfully, upper management hedged their bets last Football season by going out and trading for a solid back-up in Ryan Tannehill. If not for the former Texas A&M Aggie allowing for some dependability under center after the first month of the season was in the books, Tennessee would’ve never rebounded to become the giant killer it proved to be in the second season. Though he did next to nothing in the playoffs throwing for just 369 yards, his 5 TD passes to just one interception allowed for the team to continue playing to its “MO.” That being to run the snot out of the football, play sound defense, force turnovers and limit the amount of self-inflicted wounds.
That recipe for success allowed for it to dominate the time of possession battle and secure a number of hard-fought wins over the course of the regular season and playoffs. None of it would’ve come to fruition without the exceptional play of Derrick Henry. No. 22 was a monster rushing for over 1,500 yards and 16 TD in the regular season, and followed it up with another 446 yards and 2 TD in the postseason. Playing in the final season of his rookie contract, Henry just inked an enormous 1 year $10.2 million dollar franchise tender to play for the Titans in 2020. Both sides are hopeful a long-term deal can be struck in short order. Regardless, a special season could be in store for Henry provided he stays healthy, continues to get the lion’s share of carries and is possibly incorporated into the passing game at a higher clip.
The Titans are the epitome of what a running team looks like. One only has to look at the offense’s inability to get much done through the air when it mattered most for confirmation. The trio of Corey Davis, A.J. Brown and Adam Humphries accounted for a grand total of 15 catches that amassed a laughable total of 157 yards. Again, it wasn’t the threat of the passing game that allowed for Tennessee to go on its unforeseen run cutting down giant after giant in the playoffs. However, a full offseason of working with Tannehill as the QB1 should have this pass catching trio in a better rhythm with one another. Jonnu Smith could be a breakout star at the tight end position as well! Tennessee has however ranked amongst the top-5 in rushing play percentage in three of the last four seasons, so you might want to continue fading the Titans receivers when prop betting this upcoming season. Even so, you can expect Brown to be heavily targeted early on in fantasy drafts as explosive he proved to be in his rookie campaign.
Week 1: Titans at Broncos, Monday, September 14, 10:10 p.m. ET
Week 2: Jaguars at Titans, Sunday, September 20, 1 p.m. ET
Week 3: Titans at Vikings, Sunday, September 27, 1 p.m. ET
Week 4: Steelers at Titans, Sunday, October 4, 1 p.m. ET
Week 5: Bills at Titans, Sunday, October 11, 1 p.m. ET
Week 6: Texans at Titans, Sunday, October 18, 1 p.m. ET
Week 7: Bye Week
Week 8: Titans at Bengals, Sunday, November 1, 1 p.m. ET
Week 9: Bears at Titans, Sunday, November 8, 1 p.m. ET
Week 10: Colts at Titans, Thursday, November 12, 8:20 p.m. ET
Week 11: Titans at Ravens, Sunday, November 22, 1 p.m. ET
Week 12: Titans at Colts, Sunday, November 29, 1 p.m. ET
Week 13: Browns at Titans, Sunday, December 6, 1 p.m. ET
Week 14: Titans at Jaguars, Sunday, December 13, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 15: Lions at Titans, Sunday, December 20, 1 p.m. ET
Week 16: Titans at Packers, Sunday, December 27, 8:20 p.m. ET
Week 17: Titans at Texans, Sunday, January 3, 1 p.m. ET
Tennessee Titans Schedule Analysis
It will be crucial for the Titans to get out to a hot start to the season. Four of their first six games will be played in the comforts of Nissan Stadium. The easiest matchup of the bunch comes against a Jacksonville Jaguars outfit it’s dominated recently in taking five of the last six which includes winning six straight as hosts 4-0 ATS L/4. The other three tilts come against the Steelers, Bills and Texans with the latter two participating in the playoffs a season ago. The other two games find them on the road at Denver to open the season and at the Vikings two weeks later. Things look to lighten up on paper following their Week 7 bye with seven of their final 10 games coming against teams that failed to qualify for the playoffs. However, the Colts and Bears should be better provided they can stay healthy, and the Browns can only be improved with a distinguished coach like Kevin Stefanski calling the shots instead of the practical joke that Freddie Kitchens proved to be. Then there’s the matchups against the Ravens, Packers and Texans that must be dealt with. If Tennessee doesn’t win the AFC South this season, it’s going to be incredibly tough for the team to surpass its expected win total. I have the AFC pegged as being much improved from top to bottom, and I’m simply not sold on the Titans being nearly as good as they portrayed themselves to be throughout last year’s playoff run. This franchise hasn’t tallied 10+ wins since the 2008 season, and has clocked in at nine each of the last four seasons. When red or black goes on a run at the roulette table, you ride the streak. Don’t fade it! That’s exactly how I’ll be attacking the Titz in 2020-21.
Tennessee Titans Season Win Total Prediction: Under 9 -120
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