NFL.com takes a shot at Titans while naming Derrick Henry as a potential MVP candidate
By now I think we're all aware that the national media is down on the Tennessee Titans entering the 2022 season. That's mostly because of the other teams in the AFC. The national media is higher on non-playoff teams from a year ago like the Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, and Denver Broncos. […]
By now I think we're all aware that the national media is down on the Tennessee Titans entering the 2022 season.
That's mostly because of the other teams in the AFC. The national media is higher on non-playoff teams from a year ago like the Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, and Denver Broncos.
The trade that sent wide receiver AJ Brown from Tennessee to the Philadelphia Eagles is another reason the national media doesn't seem to be big on the Titans in 2022.
So it shouldn't come as a surprise that NFL.com managed to take a jab at the Titans this week while simultaneously praising the franchise's best player.
NFL.com's Adam Schein named Henry as a darkhorse MVP candidate in 2022 while noting that he doesn't think the Titans are a playoff team this season.
I do not believe the Titans are a playoff team in 2022. Heck, I didn't like their chances in the loaded AFC before they shipped A.J. Brown to Philly.
However, I do believe Henry is clearly the best running back in the NFL. If the Titans prove me wrong, it will be because of Henry's special blend of power and speed. And if the workhorse back threatens Eric Dickerson's single-season record of 2,105 rushing yards? Well, that kind of historic campaign could be enough to break the QB position's hold on the award.
We can debate all day whether or not the Titans are going to make the playoffs in 2022. There's nothing that happened this offseason — including the Brown trade — that makes me think this team is going to take a step back. But anything can happen once the season starts and we have no clue how the playoff picture will look come December.
But if Henry performs at an MVP level — as he did in 2020 — then I think it's safe to assume that Tennessee will be locked into a playoff spot. The Titans are at their best when Henry is at his best. And if he's knocking on the door of an MVP award, then the Titans' offense is likely hitting on all cylinders.
It seems like every year the national media sleeps on the Titans. And every year they end up being wrong. They obviously haven't learned their lesson yet. Maybe Henry will remind them in 2022 that the AFC South division still goes through Nashville.
Featured image via Albert Cesare / The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
