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Tennessee Titans: 3 takeaways from Week 16 loss to Saints

By Shaun Calderon

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 22: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints shakes hands with Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans after the game at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. New Orleans defeats Tennessee 38-28. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 22: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints shakes hands with Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans after the game at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. New Orleans defeats Tennessee 38-28. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 15: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans speaks to head coach Bill O’Brien of the Houston Texans prior to a game against at Nissan Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Titans officially control their own fate (again)

Despite their 10-point loss to the Saints, the Titans found themselves ending the weekend in their most ideal scenario in regards to clinching a playoff berth. Thanks to the New York Jets defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Titans will now be in a ‘win and in’ scenario for the third consecutive year.

In 2017 the Titans defeated the Jaguars 15-10 in order to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Last year, the Titans fell just short of making the playoffs, as an injury-depleted team fell to the Andrew Luck-led Colts in the season finale with the right to a playoff berth on the line.

This year the Titans find themselves in a similar situation once again. A victory over an AFC South rival in the season finale is the only thing standing in the way of January football.

The Titans will head to Houston next Sunday afternoon with their season on the line. It should be noted that there is a legitimate chance that the Texans will be resting some of their starters with the division all locked up.

Regardless of who the Texans field next Sunday, Tennessee must treat that team like they’re the No. 1 seed and go into that game focused and willing to do whatever it takes to earn themselves another week of football.

Aside from their playoff aspirations, getting motivated for this game shouldn’t be that hard considering they’re a couple of fluky plays away from possibly having a totally different conversation about next Sunday’s rematch with the Texans.

Although there are scenarios in which the Titans can still make the playoffs even with a loss to the Texans, this team needs to capitalize on the opportunity that is in front of them and handle their own business so they can avoid having to rely on anyone else but themselves.

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