NASHVILLE — At long last, it is game week. The Tennessee Titans will kick off their 2023 campaign against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, which means it’s time for me to officially file my predictions for the team this season.

Here’s a recap of the offseason, a look ahead to the next 18 weeks of action, and my analysis of how everything will play out.

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Offseason in review

Notable Additions

– WR DeAndre Hopkins

– LT Andre Dillard

– OL Daniel Brunskill

– ILB Azeez Al-Shaair

– OLB Arden Key

– CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

– OLB Trevis Gipson

– OL Peter Skoronski

– QB Will Levis

– RB Tyjae Spears

Notable Subtractions

– LT Taylor Lewan

– OLB Bud Dupree

– OL Nate Davis

– WR Robert Woods

– DE Demarcus Walker

– C Ben Jones

– LB David Long Jr.

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A busy Titans offseason got underway with the hiring of their next General Manager. Ran Carthon, a former NFL running back and highly touted talent evaluator from the San Francisco 49ers, came to Nashville with one clearly identified purpose:

Building a championship roster through collaboration, communication, and personal relationships.

Working in lockstep with head coach Mike Vrabel and newly hired assistant GM Chad Brinker, Carthon began overhauling Tennessee's roster to a younger, cheaper, and more versatile group.

The Titans cut ties with 2022 starters Robert Woods, Taylor Lewan, Zach Cunningham, Ben Jones, and Bud Dupree among others in an effort to move away from expensive contracts to older and injury-burdened players. 

The next step was replacing those starters with free agents looking for an opportunity to flourish. Tennessee got affordable deals by targeting players in free agency that had previously succeeded in depth roles or were stuck behind proven stars on their former teams. 

The Titans injected an already solid defense with energy by signing OLB Arden Key, ILB Azeez Al-Shaair, and CB Sean Murphy-Bunting in free agency. Star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons also got a well-deserved bag, inking a $94 million contract extension in early April .

On the offensive side of the ball, it was offensive linemen Andre Dillard and Daniel Brunskill that were brought in as free agents to be starters. Tennessee then got more help in the trenches during the 2023 NFL Draft when they selected Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski with the 11th overall pick. Carthon identified Skoronski as a “blue chip” player that could start immediately on the offense line.

It was all offense for the rest of the 2023 draft class as well, including a few major splashes. The Titans traded up to get Kentucky quarterback Will Levis in the second round and added explosive running back Tyjae Spears in round three at 81 overall.

While those picks raised a few eyebrows nationally, Carthon’s vision in Nashville had never been more clear: 

Give Mike Vrabel a competitive roster in 2023 while simultaneously setting yourself up with future assets. Why not get your future quarterback and a dynamic rookie running back while also making a push to win an AFC South title? Who says you can't do both?

Despite rumors that the Titans were contemplating unloading Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill, and other large contracts during the offseason, Tennessee did the exact opposite. Capping off a chaotic offseason with the big-splash signing of free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, Carthon filled the largest hole on the roster and gave Tannehill the weapon he lacked a season ago.

Combining that with better health, the development of Treylon Burks, and a new offensive coordinator (Tim Kelly), and there’s reason to believe the Titans’ offense can take a massive step forward in 2023. But will it be enough to get back into the AFC Playoff picture?

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2023 Prediction

1. @ Saints – WIN

2. vs. Chargers – WIN

3. @ Browns – LOSS

4. vs. Bengals – LOSS

5. @ Colts – WIN

6. vs. Ravens (London) – LOSS

7. BYE

8. vs. Falcons – WIN

9. @ Steelers (TNF) – LOSS

10. @ Buccaneers – WIN

11. @ Jaguars – LOSS

12. vs. Panthers – WIN

13. vs. Colts – WIN

14. @ Dolphins (MNF) – WIN

15. vs. Texans – WIN

16. vs. Seahawks – LOSS

17. @ Texans – WIN

18. vs. Jaguars – WIN

2023 Record Prediction: 11-6

Season Result: 1st in AFC South

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Analysis

11 wins may seem a bit ambitious for a team that lost its final seven contests in 2022. But when I breakdown the Titans’ 2023 schedule, it’s hard for me to not be bullish.

The schedule is just a bit weak. It may be one of the easiest in the NFL. Outside of the obvious layups at the bottom of the AFC South (Houston and Indianapolis), the Titans get four games against an uninspiring 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.

It’s not unreasonable to think Tennessee could collect 7-8 wins against the AFC South and NFC South alone, and we all know Mike Vrabel is going to keep his team in just about every game – even as an underdog.

The passing game, the offensive line , and the playcalling should all be much improved and given better health, I think the defense is more talented and much deeper than last year.

Is Ryan Tannehill on the same level as the elite AFC QBs like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, or to a lesser degree Trevor Lawrence? No. But he’s not the bottom-feeder the national dialogue would lead to you to believe he is either.

Sportsbooks currently have Tannehill’s season over/under at 3,050.5 passing yards and 17.5 passing touchdowns. That’s approximately 179 yards and 1 touchdown per game over a full 17-game slate…and I'd (responsibly) place a bet bigger than Bum Phillips' cowboy hat on both overs.

I say all of this, and I haven't even mentioned Derrick Henry yet, who still has plenty left in the tank at 29-years-old.

Can the Titans contend for a Super Bowl in 2023? It seems unlikely given how loaded the AFC is. Heck, they may even be hard-pressed to win a playoff game if it means hosting the Jets, Bills, Ravens, or Bengals during wildcard weekend.

But given the soft schedule and the revamped roster, I'd still pick Tennessee to be hosting someone at Nissan Stadium mid-January. 

An important reminder about the Titans QB situation

An NFL rule that is relevant to the Titans’ QBs.