Five bold predictions for the 2023 Tennessee Titans

NASHVILLE — We are hours way from kickoff. The 2023 Tennessee Titans season is finally upon us.  Before things get underway, let's take a look at five of my boldest predictions for the upcoming Titans' season including the team's win total and a surprising defensive breakout performer. 1. Tennessee wins 11 games You won't find […]

Sam Phalen
Add as preferred source on Google
Amani Hooker
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK

NASHVILLE — We are hours way from kickoff. The 2023 Tennessee Titans season is finally upon us. 

Before things get underway, let's take a look at five of my boldest predictions for the upcoming Titans' season including the team's win total and a surprising defensive breakout performer.

1. Tennessee wins 11 games

You won't find many national outlets or analysts putting this high of a win total on the Titans this season. That much is evident with the over/under on most sportsbooks coming in at 7.5 wins. 

So yes, 11 is bold, but it's hard for me to ignore what I perceive to be an uninspiring schedule for the Titans this fall. Outside of the obvious layups at the bottom of the AFC South (two with Houston and Indianapolis), the Titans get four games against the weak NFC South, do not play a single team coming off of a bye week, and get most of their more intimidating opponents (Cincinnati, Baltimore, Seattle) at neutral sites or at Nissan Stadium.

If the Titans make those layups, they should make the playoffs, and I think they probably win a few games they shouldn't in true Mike Vrabel fashion. 

2. Amani Hooker leads the teams in INTs

The last time Titans safety Amani Hooker played a full slate of games (2020), he tied for the team lead with four interceptions. 

Hooker has a knack for creating turnovers and being around the football. He was seemingly everywhere during training camp and has really developed into a dangerous ballhawk since being selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. 

With what should be a much improved and really effective front four rushing the passer and better coverage from Tennessee's corners, I think Hooker is playing fast free, and at least matches his INT total from 2021. I'm buying his stock.

3. Titans get to 50 sacks as a team

Speaking of that improved front four, I'm calling 50+ sacks as a team for Tennessee this season – hence why I'm also calling 11 wins.

Jeffery Simmons recorded 7.5 sacks in 2022 playing through an injury. With a clean bill of health, that number should improve. Denico Autry and Arden Key are both good for 7-8 sacks and a ton of energy. Let’s also not forget the return of Harold Landry III, who had 12 sacks in 2021, but missed all of 2022 with a torn ACL.

Outside of those four, the depth on the defensive line might be the biggest strength of Tennessee’s entire roster. Teair Tart, Rashad Weaver, Trevis Gipson, and Jayden Peevy will also have contributions. I don’t think 50 is a major stretch, but only four teams reached that mark a year ago.

4. Tyjae Spears gets more touches than Hopkins and Burks

At first glance this one might sound absurd. But I think people might be slightly underestimating how involved rookie running back Tyjae Spears is going to be in the Titans’ offense. Tennessee did use a third round draft pick on him after all.

In 12 games before getting injured last season, Dontrell Hilliard had 22 carries and 21 catches for a total of 43 touches. That had him on pace for over 60 touches on the season, and I definitely think Spears has a larger role this fall than Hilliard previously did.

With enough weapons to spread targets around and what I still think will be a run-first philosophy on offense, I’d be surprised if either Burks or Hopkins have more than 80 catches on the year. I have both of them falling in the 60-80 catch range with big yardage, but I think Spears touches the ball more than that.

5. Ryan Tannehill plays 17 games

It seems like just about everybody is anticipating that Ryan Tannehill won't be the Titans' starting quarterback by the end of the season. The current over/under on his season passing total is 3,050.5 yards…That number would only be reasonable if he didn't play the entire year.

But the fact of the matter is that Ryan Tannehill is going to be Tennessee's starting quarterback as long as the team remains competitive and he remains healthy. Seeing as I predict Tennessee to win double-digit games in 2023, I also don't see a change at quarterback happening during the season. 

Are injuries a concern? Only if you let recency bias cloud your judgement. Tannehill's ankle injury last year was the first time in four seasons with Tennessee that he had missed a game due to injury. Tannehill is known for his toughness and grit, and I'm going to predict a healthy season with 17 games played for number 17 this season.

Related Articles