If the Tennessee Titans want to make a run at another AFC South title in 2023, they'll need to see some major improvements in a few key areas. 

When breaking down the 7-10 Titans of last season that lost their final seven contests, there's a laundry list of weaknesses that stick out. But what is most essential to righting the ship and rekindling success in 2023?

Here are the three biggest things the Titans need to improve in order to win the AFC South this season.

1. Injuries

Injuries are hard to predict and prevent, especially when you consider the amount of injuries Titans players have sustained on the playing field over the last two seasons. It’s not an exact science, but regardless, Tennessee needs to be healthy first and foremost if they are going to compete this fall.

After breaking the single-season record for suiting up the most players in a season due to injury issues in 2021, the Titans were one of the most banged up teams last fall as well. That included season-ending ACL surgeries for starting left tackle Taylor Lewan, outside linebacker Harold Landry III, and an ankle surgery for starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill that kept him out of five games. 

It's football. Injuries are going to happen. But the Titans can ill afford to lose impact players for substantial time this season. If Tannehill, Treylon Burks, Jeffery Simmons, or a member of the offensive line go on Injured Reserve, Tennessee is going to be in deep water. 

I'd like to think that this problem is just due to correct itself, but I'll believe it when I see it.

2. Play calling

It shouldn’t be hard for new offensive coordinator Tim Kelly to be a better play caller than his predecessor Todd Downing, but there’s no debating that the Titans need to have a more dynamic offense in 2023.

In two seasons with Todd Downing as the OC, Tennessee was dead last in early down passing frequency, dropping back on just 43.8 percent of snaps. But even with the Titans' offense incorporating a high-volume of rushing attempts and a legendary running back in Derrick Henry in the backfield, Tennessee was 29th in the NFL in rushing efficiency on early downs over the last two seasons (-0.134 EPA/play).

In other words, the Titans ran the ball on 1st and 2nd down more than any other team under Todd Downing despite being one of the least efficient offenses at doing so. Just looking at 2022 alone, over 25 percent of the Titans’ offensive series followed the “run-run-pass" play sequence. Meanwhile, Derrick Henry took 331 of his 349 carries on 1st or 2nd down and 215 touches (61.6 percent) on 1st & 10 or longer.

In 2023, I need to see a more aggressive offense with multiplicity. That means putting rookie running back Tyjae Spears on the field at the same time as Henry and throwing more often on early downs. That means more deep shots down the field and no longer being complacent with getting into 3rd and short scenarios.

It'll be exciting to see what Kelly brings to the table, and hopefully it's a big step up from Downing that results in a far more productive offense.

3. Offensive line

I debated putting the wide receiver room in this spot, because we all know the Titans need to throw the ball more and need their playmakers to step up in 2023. But at the end of the day, the wide receivers on the field, the quarterback, and even the play calling don’t matter if the offensive line can’t get it done. 

While it does not let Downing off the hook, there were times last season that poor offensive line play completely handcuffed him as a play caller. Dennis Daley was a matador jumping out of the way and yelling “olé” any time he was bull rushed last season, yet somehow, the Titans had no better options at left tackle.

Adding Andre Dillard and Daniel Brunskill in free agency while using the 11th overall pick on Northwestern's Peter Skoronski should provide a big boost. But with starting right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere already receiving a six-game suspension for gambling, the Titans are really thin on depth. If another starter goes down, Tennessee could be in a similar position to last year up front. That's a scary thought.

Titans WR Kyle Philips has added the missing piece this offseason

This should take his game to the next level.