2019 Record - 9-7-0
Head Coach - Matt Vrabel
New Players in 2020 - Vic Beasley (LB), Johnathan Joseph (DB), Jack Crawford (DL), Ty Sambrailo (OL), Zac Kerin (OL), Nick Dzubnar (LB), Senorise Perry (RB), Ibraheim Campbell (DB)
Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - Anthony McKinney (OL)
OFFENSE - Ryan Tannehill took over as the starting quarterback last season and finished with 2,742 passing yards and 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. Tannehill also scored four rushing touchdowns. Logan Woodside will be the primary backup with Marcus Mariota now with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Running back Derrick Henry led the NFL is rushing last year, gaining 1,540 yards (5.1 ypc average) and scored 18 total touchdowns (16 rushing touchdowns). Rookie Darrynton Evans (Appalachian State) and Senorise Perry are in camp to spell Henry.
The receiving tandem has A.J. Brown (52 receptions, 1,051 yards, eight TD), Corey Davis (43, 601, two TD), Adam Humphries (37, 374, two TD) and tight end Jonnu Smith, who had 35 receptions for 439 yards and three touchdowns.
DEFENSE - Jeffery Simmons, DaQuan Jones and Jack Crawford are the primary players on the front line with Harold Landry (nine QB sacks), Vic Beasley (eight sacks with Atlanta), Jayon Brown, Kamalei Correa (five sacks), Derrick Roberson (three sacks) and Rashaan Evans at linebacker.
The safeties are Kenny Vaccaro and Kevin Byard (five interceptions) while Adoree' Jackson and Malcolm Butler (two INT) play the corner spots. Others in the mix include Tye Smith, rookie Kristian Fulton (LSU), Amani Hooker, Johnathan Joseph and Dane Cruikshank.
The Titans were tough against the run in 2019, allowing 104 yards per game, which was twelfth in the NFL while giving up 20.7 points per game, which was also twelfth overall. The pass defense was mixed, giving up a lot of yardage (255 YPG - 24th in NFL) but did have 14 interceptions and 43 QB sacks. The Titans were a plus-six in the turnover category.
OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - The Titans got hot at the right time last season, winning five of their final seven games to get into the AFC playoffs. From there, they rode the legs of running back Derrick Henry along with an opportunistic defense and steady play from quarterback Ryan Tannehill to reach the AFC Championship Game, where they lost to eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City.
Head Coach Matt Vrabel did well in his second year as the Titans stunned the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens in the first two rounds of the post-season. However, that was last year and they will not be sneaking up on anyone this year.
The offense improved from 2018 to last season, finishing twelfth in the league (363 YPG) while scoring 25.1 points per game, which was tenth. The running game clearly is the strength of the offense, averaging 139 YPG last season (3rd in NFL) while the passing game was adequate, gaining 224 yards per game (21st). The key was ball management as Tannehill only threw six interceptions and Henry dominated (especially in the playoffs) with his bruising running style.
As long as the Titans get that kind of production again this season along with the defense they played, there is reason to believe they will get back to the post-season. Better pass protection would help as Titans' quarterbacks were sacked 56 times last year.
Battling with Houston and Indianapolis in the AFC South is never easy and even Jacksonville plays them tough, but the Titans can win the division or at least get another wild card berth. The future is now for this team and they know it. Tennessee has smelled success and now they want more, so there is more work to do.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Denver
Week Two - vs. Jacksonville
Week Three - at Minnesota
Week Four - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Five - vs. Buffalo
Week Six - vs. Houston
Week Seven - BYE
Week Eight - at Cincinnati
Week Nine - vs. Chicago
Week Ten - vs. Indianapolis
Week Eleven - at Baltimore
Week Twelve - at Indianapolis
Week Thirteen - vs. Cleveland
Week Fourteen - at Jacksonville
Week Fifteen - vs. Detroit
Week Sixteen - at Green Bay
Week Seventeen - at Houston
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