How close to a Super Bowl are the Titans in each phase?

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 10: Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons #98 of the Tennessee Titans cheers on the crowd during their AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at Nissan Stadium on January 10, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Ravens defeated the Titans 20-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 10: Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons #98 of the Tennessee Titans cheers on the crowd during their AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at Nissan Stadium on January 10, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Ravens defeated the Titans 20-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 13: Brett Kern #6 and Beau Brinkley #48 of the Tennessee Titans meet before the game at Nissan Stadium on October 13, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 13: Brett Kern #6 and Beau Brinkley #48 of the Tennessee Titans meet before the game at Nissan Stadium on October 13, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Special Teams: Good. Well, Good-Enough

For every Brett Kern, the 2019 All-Pro, MVPunter himself, there’s a 2020 version of Stephen Gostkowski, a kicker below 70% accuracy on his field-goal attempts.

That’s the book on the Tennessee Titans’ special teams. There’s some good, there’s some bad, but it all comes together to make a unit that will win the team games just as much as they’ll lose them.

Take 2020 as a prime example. The Titans’ first three games of the season were decided on last-minute field goals from Gostkowski. That 3-0 start to the season doesn’t happen if not for three clutch kicks from the weakest link in the Tennessee special teams unit.

On the same note, the Titans probably earn themselves a win against Pittsburgh if not for a missed fourth-quarter field goal, and possibly even against the Colts in Week 10 if not for two botched punts.

The special teams are a mixed bag, but, if the Titans are good enough to be a legitimate contender, that unit won’t have to be the one to ultimately decide wins and losses in the final seconds. They’re a good group. Good enough, at least.