If you would’ve told most Tennessee Titans fans that they’d hit their bye week atop the AFC South at 8-4 with the way the schedule was set up, I think they’d take that hand over fist. But, after dropping two straight to the Houston Texans and New England Patriots in not-so-inspiring fashion, there’s some concern among Titans fans about the trajectory of just how far this team can go. Since there’s no game to break down this week, I thought I’d check in and offer up a few observations about this team as things stand here at 8-4.
*Get fuckin’ healthy! I mean, come on – anyone with two functioning eyes and a brain that has watched the Titans at all over the last several weeks knows how banged up this team is. They’re setting NFL records for the number of players that have suited up this season. A week ago, Buster Skrine ran across the field in a Titans uniform and I had no idea he was even on the team. This team is down bad, and it seems like guys are dropping like flies. But, the good news is that they can only get healthier from here…right?! RIGHT?!?!
*It’s insane how this team got to 8-4, dropping games to the Jets and the Texans, but going on a six-game win streak that included victories over the Bills, Colts, Chiefs, Rams, and Saints.
*The bye week couldn’t come at a better time, but it’s not going to miraculously fix all of the issues going on with this team. Ryan Tannehill must be better – part of that is simply the lack of weapons available in the passing game, the disappointing lack of production from tight ends, and the inconsistency in pass protection. That all needs to be cleaned up, but Tannehill also needs to quit forcing so many turnover-worthy balls.
*If you were to ask me who the MVP of this team is so far, I’d be considering Kevin Byard, Jeffery Simmons, and Harold Landry for what those guys have meant to the overall improvement of this defense.
*It’s hard to evaluate Todd Downing as offensive coordinator, in my opinion, because he’s been down so many horses on offense this season. At times, he’s looked great and the play-calling was killing it. Other times, it’s been questionable at best. He’s had some good games (Chiefs), and he’s had some pretty vanilla games too. One thing that would help, as analyst Robert Greenlaw pointed out, is if he would stop calling the turnover plays.
*The home stretch is looking a little more difficult than it did when the Titans were sitting there at 8-2. The Steelers game looks a little less daunting, but the games against the Dolphins and the 49ers look a little more difficult than they did a few weeks ago. I could see 13-4 for this team. I could also see it dropping a couple more games that it shouldn’t and finishing 11-6. Either way, this should absolutely be considered the favorite in the AFC South, considering they’re two games ahead of the Colts, and the Colts still have games against the Patriots, Cardinals, and Raiders. Relax, Titans Twitter. This team will be fine.
I’m still optimistic about this team because it’s only going to get healthier, and hopefully, the timing of that will coincide with a deep playoff run.
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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