CBS Sports makes grim prediction for Tennessee Titans
CBS Sports made a grim prediction this week for the Tennessee Titans in 2022. Tyler Sullivan, an NFL writer for CBS Sports, named five teams that he thinks "could be on a downward swing this season and take a step back from where they were in 2021". And the Titans were one of the teams […]
CBS Sports made a grim prediction this week for the Tennessee Titans in 2022.
Tyler Sullivan, an NFL writer for CBS Sports, named five teams that he thinks "could be on a downward swing this season and take a step back from where they were in 2021".
And the Titans were one of the teams on his list.
The Titans were the No. 1 seed in the AFC last season and it's hard to see a scenario where that comes to fruition again in 2022. In fact, Tennessee isn't even the favorite to win the AFC South this year after the Indianapolis Colts were able to upgrade at quarterback this offseason by trading for Matt Ryan.
This could prove to be a pivotal year for the Titans, especially at quarterback. Despite leading his team to a 12-5 record, Ryan Tannehill took a step back in 2021. His passer rating was the lowest it's been since he arrived in Nashville and his 14 interceptions during the regular season were the most in his Titans tenure and second-most of his career. Those turnovers issues also reared their head in Tennessee's one-and-done appearance in the playoffs as he threw three interceptions in the club's 19-16 loss to the Bengals in the Divisional Round.
If Tannehill struggles again this season, the Titans do have an out in his contract next offseason where they could clear just under $20 million in cap space. Tennessee also drafted former Liberty quarterback Malik Willis in the third round, stoking even more fuel to the flames of Tannehill entering a make-or-break season.
Oddly enough, Sullivan's reasoning for why he thinks the Titans will take a step back in 2021 is the exact reason why I think they won't take a step back.
Tennessee was the No. 1 seed in the AFC last season despite quarterback Ryan Tannehill's down season and despite not having running back Derrick Henry for half of the season.
Tannehill isn't Aaron Rodgers out there, but do we really think in one season he regressed that much? I'd say his down year had more to do with Henry's absence than him forgetting how to play quarterback. Offensive coordinator Todd Downing can shoulder some blame, too (the hope is that the addition of passing game coordinator Tim Kelly will help some of the offensive play calling issues).
The Titans are never the "it" team in the AFC, so it's no surprise that the national media is down on them in 2022. I'm sure they'll eventually be right. But so far, the Titans have proven under Mike Vrabel to be a team that's never truly "out of it". And I think that will continue to be the case this upcoming season.
Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
