Titans soar in latest national power rankings
After an ugly 0-2 start to the 2022 season, the Tennessee Titans finally got their first win on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Maybe more important than the win, the Titans also were able to find success in the run game and return to their identity as an offense that thrives off of Derrick […]
After an ugly 0-2 start to the 2022 season, the Tennessee Titans finally got their first win on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Maybe more important than the win, the Titans also were able to find success in the run game and return to their identity as an offense that thrives off of Derrick Henry's success.
Henry had 20 rushing attempts for 85 rushing yards, good for 4.3 yards per carry while also getting involved in the passing game and helping the Titans offense exploded for 24 points in the first half.
With Tennessee finally looking like they've found some momentum, analysts think their stock is on the rise.
The latest NFL power rankings published to NFL.com by Dan Hanzus ranked the Titans at 12th, a massive boost of eight spots from where they were just a week ago (20th).
The Titans had the second largest jump of any team in the NFL, and the cherry on top? Hanzus has the Titans ranked as the best team in the AFC South.
Here is his rationale for the ranking:
Previous rank:No. 20
It's amazing how different the Titans look when Derrick Henry is seeming like himself. Tennessee's star running back was bottled up in the first two weeks but broke out in a much-needed 24-22 win over the Raiders in Nashville. Henry finished with 143 total yards and a score, running through would-be tacklers like peak King Henry. According to ESPN, Henry gained 65 yards after contact — the Titans are 19-3 when Henry crosses the 60 threshold in that category. Henry's success makes other aspects of the Titans' offense go.
Hanzus hit the nail on the head here.
The impact of Henry is the key to the Titans turning this season around and reestablishing themselves as a playoff team. In Sunday's win, the Titans went to a higher percentage of play-action pass snaps, playing off of Henry's success, and Ryan Tannehill had a strong game with the field opened up.
When defenses are on their toes, the ball is out quick, and the Titans stay ahead of the chains, they are a tough offense to contain.
Now the goal is figuring out how to maintain that offense with consistency. Tennessee was shut out in the second half, and seemed to stall out by not taking advantage of big-time conversion opportunities.
At the very least, they've taken a step in the right direction. The power rankings are just a reflection of that.
Image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
