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Tennessee Titans called ‘underrated contender’ for 2019 season

By Michael Moraitis

HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans jogs off the field after the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on November 26, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans jogs off the field after the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on November 26, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Titans were called an “underrated contender” in a Bleacher Report article on Monday.

It’s been hard to find places or examples where the Tennessee Titans are getting respect, but we may have just found one.

In a Bleacher Report article by Chris Roling outlining potential training camp revelations, Roling uses the term “underrated contender” to describe the Titans.

And, what’s the key to the Titans’ season, according to Roling? Quarterback Marcus Mariota, of course.

"Given Tennessee’s strong weapons at the skill positions and underrated defense, Mariota is the key to this underrated contender."

We couldn’t agree more. Now that is the kind of respect the Titans should be getting with the roster they have put together as the 2019 season approaches. Nobody is trying to say this team is a Super Bowl favorite, but it is a contender, nonetheless.

The Titans have great depth—a stellar running game with a top-notch 1-2 punch in running backs Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis, and a defense that has the potential to be the best in the NFL, with loads of talent at linebacker and perhaps the deepest secondary in the NFL.

After mentioning what appears to be a top-10 offensive line in pass protection going into this upcoming season, all that’s left to talk about is the quarterback.

Tennessee Titans quarterback, Marcus Mariota.
KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 06: Quarterback Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates a touchdown as the the Titans defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 22-21 to win the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 6, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Mariota has been up and down throughout his four years in the league, dealing with injuries and inconsistency. Some of that inconsistency has to do with a revolving door of offensive coordinators. If Mariota had been a bit better, we might be talking about 10 wins or more in each of the past three seasons, and not three-straight 9-7 campaigns.

Mariota’s ability to play at a higher level and stay on the field is the difference between the Titans being on the fringe of playoff teams, and actually getting into the playoffs and realistically competing for a Super Bowl.

As Roling pointed out in his article, Mariota has added weight this offseason to alleviate his injury issues. On top of that, the Titans have added some much-needed help in the receiving corps. and improved an offensive line that was a cause of Mariota getting sacked 42 times in 2018.

The stars are aligned for Mariota to have his best season with the Titans yet, which is a good thing for a team that is ready to compete and make noise in the NFL right now.

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