AFC South power rankings: Where do Tennessee Titans start season?

5 of 5

NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 6: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

1. Tennessee Titans

Of course, those who don’t believe in the Titans will think this spot atop the AFC South power rankings to start the season is me being a homer, and that’s fine because I’ve heard it all offseason with me being bullish on this team.

But facts are facts, and from top to bottom the Titans have the best all-around team in this division. The defense will be elite with great talent at linebacker and in the secondary, and Tennessee’s offense sports one of the best 1-2 punches at running back in Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis.

The only question that remains is this: can quarterback Marcus Mariota stay healthy and play at a high enough level to get this team over the 9-7 hump? The Titans have done everything necessary to make that happen.

General manager Jon Robinson invested a lot into the offensive line with the signing of Rodger Saffold and the selection of Nate Davis in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Mariota also has the best group of pass-catchers he’s ever had, with the additions of Adam Humphries and A.J. Brown, to go along with the returns of Delanie Walker and Corey Davis.

Everything is setup for Mariota to succeed, and if he doesn’t because of poor play or injury, the Titans have a far better backup plan than 2018 in the form of Ryan Tannehill.

How a team that has gone 9-7 in each of the past three years – even with immense injury issues – and has only improved during the offseason can be as overlooked as the Titans has been astounding to watch. Pencil me in as a believer this season, which is why the Titans sit atop the AFC South power rankings to start the season.

Home/Titans News