Bleacher Report: 15th (Last Week: 21)
"“These Titans have a bizarre talent for becoming a doppelganger of their opponent. Last week the offense was horrible, but the defense played just as well as Jacksonville. This week the defense backslid, but Marcus Mariota matched Wentz throw for throw. Mariota appears to be getting healthy, and if he continues to play well, the Titans could be sneaky-good. Dangerous, even.”"
This comment was preceded by back-handed compliments and half hearted enthusiasm. Still even the comment itself wasn’t a compliment as the Titans only rise to middle of the pack after beating their 4th and 6th ranked teams.
Also, the defense didn’t even really backslide. A turnover and a long kick return led directly to 6 points despite the defense doing a good job. Take those gimmes away and the Titans only give up 14 points in regulation to Carson Wentz and the Eagles.
The Titans aren’t sneaky good, they are damn good now. They don’t have to improve, they don’t need to make major tweaks, they finally have the QB, coaching, defense, and supporting cast to win games however they need to.
This is a team that has faced the toughest opening stretch in the NFL and has dominated it, coming out 3-1 on the other side despite injuries to Delanie Walker, Marcus Mariota, Jack Conklin, and Taylor Lewan just to name a few.
Tennessee is poised to take off, and while I don’t want to count chickens before they hatch the next four games are: @ Bills, vs Ravens, vs Chargers in London, and vs Cowboys after the bye week.
There is a good chance that the Titans can be 6-2 at the halfway point of the season with real momentum. Still, even then I think Tennessee will probably get pushed to the side as those scrappy 4-4 whoevers get a top-5 spot of the Titans.