Week 9 Results and Their Effect on the AFC South Playoff Race
By Max Dambach
Tennessee Titans
Week 9 Results: Defeated the Baltimore Ravens 23-20
What it Means: Prior to Tennessee’s bye week, many fans were worried about the team’s relatively weak performances against Cleveland and Indianapolis. However, Tennessee’s performance against Baltimore had to be encouraging and the team still leads the AFC South. Against one of the league’s top defenses, Tennessee’s offense took off early and held on late to win. Marcus Mariota put together three impressive touchdown drives despite the rushing attack faltering. Critics of Mariota may point to his pedestrian stats, but he is not in a system that lends itself to high passing yards and passing touchdowns. Mariota systematically picked apart a strong Baltimore secondary on multiple occasions for scores.
The Titans secondary continues to improve exponentially from where it was at the start of the season. Kevin Byard continues to make a name for himself with two more interceptions, as he has thrust himself into the national spotlight with five interceptions in only two games. Adoree’ Jackson and Logan Ryan have also proven a formidable cornerback duo in recent weeks. Tennessee rebounded exactly as they needed to following their bye week. Heading into the latter half of the season, the Titans are in a good place, but they will be almost unstoppable if the pass rush and the rushing attack regain their 2016 form.
What’s Next: The Titans take on a Cincinnati Bengals team that seemed to have given up all hope last week in an embarrassing loss to Jacksonville. Cincinnati remains a talented team, but they really need to make some changes this offseason to become competitive again and get out of this rut. Until then, this should be an easy win for Tennessee.