There’s no doubt that the 2021 season didn’t end the way the Tennessee Titans had hoped. Falling short of a Super Bowl berth after clinching the #1 seed in the AFC and getting everyone healthy is a disappointment for a team that looked like the most complete team in the conference. But, before we start really diving into the future of the team, let’s look back at the games that ended up best defining who this was in 2021.
Also, it’s a top 10 list – let’s not overthink this. If you think my list sucks, then make your fucking own. I’ll even run it on this site, and in your name, if it’s at least 400 words and is at least 20% coherent. We’re just sharing opinions here. LFG.
The Games That Defined the 2021 Tennessee Titans
10. L 27-24 (OT) @ New York Jets – I’m putting this game here because it’s more about their drop to 2-2 and how that would shape the run this team was about to go on than anything else. At 2-2 with a loss to one of the worst teams in football, and an opening week butthole-wallerin’ at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals, it didn’t look like this Titans team was going to be what we thought it could be. It sparked a turnaround though, as the Titans would go 10-3 after that stupid loss and claim their second consecutive AFC South title.
9. 34-31 W vs. Buffalo Bills – The Titans showed out in primetime this season, going 3-0 in those games. This one was a ton of fun to watch and showed just how electric this team could be with a healthy Derrick Henry getting a steady workload. The problem is…obviously…we didn’t see that after Halloween.
8. 36-13 L @ New England Patriots – The Titans were competitive for the first half, but by the time the clock hit triple zeroes, no game exemplified just how hard this team had been hit by injuries than this one, and unfortunately, the injuries were a major theme for this team in 2021.
7. 27-3 W vs. Kansas City Chiefs – What I loved about this game is that it showed just how capable the Titans were of dominating anyone and winning a Super Bowl when all things were going right. The defense played out of its head, and Todd Downing was in the zone calling plays. It’d be higher on my list if that was a more consistent harmony throughout the season.
6. 34-3 W vs. Miami Dolphins – Similar to the Chiefs game, this one late in the season felt like a reminder of just how good this team could be when it was firing on all cylinders. Lest we forget, this was a massive game at the time…the Dolphins were one of the hottest teams in the NFL, trying to sneak into a playoff spot after a 1-7 start, and the Titans absolutely crushed their dreams and their season with a stout defensive effort.
5. 19-13 L @ Pittsburgh Steelers – It was a heartbreaker and a game that would’ve made things much more comfortable for the Titans in getting that #1 seed in the AFC had they won it. But, mistakes killed them, as was one of the defining characteristics of this team in 2021, and they ended up needing help in the form of the Bengals beating the Chiefs to lock up the top spot.
4. 34-31 W (OT) @ Indianapolis Colts – This game ended up having massive ramifications on the Titans season, as it was the game that cost them Derrick Henry for the remainder of the regular season. Nonetheless, they found a way to win it in overtime after a Kevin Byard pick.
3. 20-17 W vs. San Francisco 49ers – Another case this season where the Titans had their back against the wall, and showed some gumption in gutting out a win. Dillon Radunz was starting at left tackle, the 49ers were on a warpath at the time – they jumped out to an early lead, but the Titans leaned on their returning stud AJ Brown to get back into it. It was a solid example of what this team was capable of. Tough game to watch for the Tannehill haters, too.
2. Divisional Round, 19-16 L vs. Cincinnati Bengals – I know that in a game in which wins and losses matter above all else, you are ultimately decided by your postseason successes or failures. I think that largely holds true this season, as that Bengals loss is going to be hard to swallow. But, come on – this was a weird game that literally came down to turnovers, poor play design, and missed tackles. It’s an example of what this Titans team could be on its worst day, but I don’t think it’s a complete picture of who this 2021 team was.
1. 28-16 W @ Los Angeles Rams – Maybe this is me being optimistic with my rose-tinted glasses on, but everything about this game showed exactly what the character of this football team was like. They were underdogs flying across the country, and they had just received word that they’d lost Derrick Henry earlier in the week. And yet, they went out Los Angeles and pulled the Rams’ pants down. The game wasn’t as close as the 28-16 final score would indicate. It was a gutsy win for a team that came together to play for each other. When I think ‘2021 Titans,’ I’ll think about this game.
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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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