2017 Record - 9-7-0
Head Coach - Matt Vrabel
2017 Offensive Ranking - 23rd (314 ypg, 20.9 points per game)
2017 Defensive Ranking - 13th (328 ypg, 22.2 points allowed per game)
OFFENSE - Quarterback Marcus Mariota is entering his fourth season after passing for 3,232 yards with 13 touchdowns and 15 interceptions last year. He gained 312 yards on the ground (5.2 ypc average) and scored five touchdowns. His backup will likely be Blaine Gabbert. Luke Falk (Washington State) was taken in the NFL draft.
Derrick Henry gained 744 yards rushing with five touchdowns and is the primary running back. He will team with former New England Patriot Dion Lewis (896 rushing yards, six TD and 32 receptions with three TD) this season.
The wide receivers are Rishard Matthews (53 receptions, 795 yards, four TD), Corey Davis (34, 375), Michael Campanaro (19 receptions, one TD and one punt return TD) and Taywan Taylor (16 receptions, one TD). The tight end is Delanie Walker, the Titans' leading receiver in 2017, who had 74 receptions for 807 yards and three scores.
DEFENSE - The front seven is solid with linebackers Brian Orakpo (seven QB sacks), Derrick Morgan (7 1/2 sacks), Wesley Woodyard (five sacks) and rookies Rashaan Evans (Alabama) and (LB/edge rusher) Harold Landry (Boston College) leading the way. Up front is DT Jurrell Casey (six sacks) and DaQuan Jones, who had 3 1/2 sacks. The Titans totaled 43 sacks last season.
The secondary has safety Kevin Byard, who tied for the league lead with eight interceptions last season. Along with Byard are Kendrick Lewis, Brynden Trawick and corners Adoree' Jackson, Malcolm Butler (two picks with New England) and Logan Ryan.
Safety Johnathan Cyprien is out for the season with a knee injury, so rookie Dan Cruikshank (Arizona) and free agent Kenny Vaccaro are also available.
OUTLOOK - The biggest change in the off-season for the Titans was naming Matt Vrabel as Head Coach, replacing Mike Mularkey.
The Titans finished 9-7 for the second straight season and made the playoffs for the first time since 2008, so they are looking to challenge Jacksonville for the AFC South title again this season.
Mariota and the offense need to step it up after ranking in the bottom third of the NFL last season. The passing game averaged just 199 yards per game. Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis should be a solid one-two punch in the backfield and Mariota adds to that with his running abilities.
The defense is pretty good and ranked fourth in the NFL against the run, giving up only 89 yards per game. The pass defense needs improvement after allowing 239 yards per game. The Titans had only 12 interceptions last season. That's why Butler was brought over from the Patriots after a fallout that resulted in his being benched for the Super Bowl.
There is talent on both sides of the ball and if Mariota and company can put more points on the board, it would ease the pressure on the defense.
The Titans will battle for the division title with Jacksonville, while Houston and Indianapolis look to rebound after poor seasons. Another 9-7 finish is a good possibility this season, which might not be enough to get back to the playoffs.
2018 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Miami
Week 2 - vs. Houston
Week 3 - at Jacksonville
Week 4 - vs. Philadelphia
Week 5 - at Buffalo
Week 6 - vs. Baltimore
Week 7 - at LA Chargers (in London)
Week 8 - Bye
Week 9 - at Dallas
Week 10 - vs. New England
Week 11 - at Indianapolis
Week 12 - at Houston
Week 13 - vs. NY Jets
Week 14 - vs. Jacksonville
Week 15 - at NY Giants
Week 16 - vs. Washington
Week 17 - vs. Indianapolis
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