Titans don’t lack for self-awareness

The Tennessee Titans returned Aaron Rodgers and the Inexperienced Bay Packers again to the land of unhappiness, profitable by way of their regular blueprint. They continued to transform goal-to-go conditions into touchdowns, Derrick Henry did King Henry issues, and the protection held the Pack to 271 yards of whole offense.

At 7-3 and on the very least tied for second within the AFC after this weekend, Tennessee is on an identical path as final 12 months. If Mike Vrabel’s workforce takes care of enterprise within the South and may go .500 towards the Bengals, Chargers, Cowboys, and Eagles, they might have a path to the Tremendous Bowl that takes place principally in Nashville.

I do know mentioning Tennessee and the Tremendous Bowl in the identical sentence induces eye-rolls from common NFL followers. They have been a high seed a 12 months in the past and yakked throughout themselves at dwelling towards Cincinnati. After which there was the collapse towards Kansas Metropolis that was extra Patrick Mahomes than something they did mistaken.

The Titans, to me, are the AFC’s model of the 49ers with the good thing about being in a horrible division. They’re well-coached, bodily, have a good-to-great protection, and lean on the run as a result of they don’t have a quarterback.

Having a desire between Jimmy Garoppolo and Ryan Tannehill is like saying you have got a favourite pre-packaged fuel station sandwich, and none of that artisanal shit both. those within the triangle packaging which might be like a few slices of lunch meat and a bit of cheese between two slices of white bread that stick with the roof of your mouth? These sandwiches.

Each QBs have performed eight primarily serviceable video games, accomplished an honest clip of passes, and stored the ball out of the opposing secondary’s arms for probably the most half. So why isn’t Tennessee a stylish dark-horse choose to go on a playoff run?

Kyle Shanahan’s profession profitable share is 2 video games beneath .500 in his sixth season, and Vrabel is coming away victorious about 64 p.c of the time in his fifth 12 months. Is it as a result of San Francisco has a Bosa?

If Tennessee was in a convention with washed Tom Brady and Rodgers coming down from a foul journey as a substitute of 1 with Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow, they might be getting slurped at an uncomfortable charge. I do know that. It simply feels just like the Titans are due.

Possibly not due for a Tremendous Bowl title, however an AFC championship recreation is definitely doable, after which something is feasible when you get there, proper? … Proper?! Right here’s one other comp for Tennessee: Poorish man’s peak Joe Flacco Ravens. Whereas that Baltimore workforce didn’t personal Brady, they have been one of many few AFC groups to knock off New England within the postseason throughout peak Patriots.

The largest indication to me that the Titans ought to begin being considered dangerously 12 months after 12 months is the best way they responded to getting uncovered as a No. 1 seed and beginning off 0-2 this season. A lesser group would’ve flatlined just like the Bengals did after sufficient unhappy Andy Dalton playoff losses, or the Texans earlier than all that was mistaken with Deshaun Watson was his supporting forged.

Invoice Belichick wins ugly with a Nation Crock of a quarterback, and he’s a genius. That’s all Vrabel has ever finished. Nobody is bad-mouthing the Hoodie’s most profitable disciple (taking part in for him, not teaching), however nobody is speaking about him like one of many brightest minds within the recreation both.

I’m not going to sit down right here and let you know Tannehill is elite after going 22-for-27 for 333 yards and two touchdowns on Thursday night time as a result of I additionally noticed the horrible interception he threw. The Chiefs, Payments, and Bengals have all appeared weak at occasions, and the Dolphins don’t have battle scars but.

We’ve seen how the Titans win video games. They’ve received seven of their previous eight. In the event that they maintain profitable and making the playoffs, certainly one of these seasons a bounce goes to interrupt their method — and so they’re ok to benefit from it.