Tennessee Titans: 2024 midseason MVPs by unit

Considering all the moves that general manager Ran Carthon and the organization made this offseason, it has been a very disappointing showing for the new-look Tennessee Titans.

First-time NFL head coach Brian Callahan has seen his team struggle to a 2-8 record. Hence, the club will have to win four of its last seven games just the equal last year’s 6-11 last-place showing.

As with every team, no matter how dire the circumstances and how poor the win-loss record, there are a few bright spots. Here’s a look at the three aspects of the team in terms of its unit’s most valuable performers.

Offense: RB Tony Pollard

It’s been a rough year for the Titans’ offense. Only four teams are averaging fewer points per game. The club has been limited to 17 or fewer points in eight of their 10 contests. Quarterback play has been a big problem, be it Will Levis or Mason Rudolph. Still, Carthon’s offseason investment in a former Pro Bowl running back has paid off, even if this six-year pro isn’t putting up those Derrick Henry-like numbers.

Tony Pollard has run for a team-high 681 yards on 160 carries, rushing for three scores. The rest of the team has rushed for a combined 489 yards, and three touchdowns. The former Cowboys standout has started all 10 games in and with 849 yards, is closing in on a fourth consecutive season of 1,000-plus yards from scrimmage. Pollard ranks second on the club with 30 receptions, and has a team-high 190 touches.

Defense: OLBs Harold Landry III and Arden Key

For much of the season, coordinator Dennard Wilson’s unit was the top-ranked defense in the league in terms of fewest total yards per game allowed, as well as fewest passing yards per game given up. After last week’s action, the defense is still tops in the NFL when it comes to slowing down the pass, but has now slipped to second overall. A year ago, Tennessee ranked 18th in the league in both of these yardage figures.

Outside linebackers Harold Landry III, and Arden Key, the latter in his second season with the club, share the team lead with five sacks each. The duo has accounted for exactly half of Tennessee’s 20 sacks. Landry is third on the team with 47 stops, and leads Tennessee with 10 QB hits. Key has 26 tackles, 10 for losses, along with a pair of forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Safety Amani Hooker deserves a mention.

Special Teams: PK Nick Folk

There is only one true candidate. Tennessee’s special teams in terms of returns, kick coverage and punting leave an awful lot to be desired. Eleven weeks into the season, the Titans are dead last in the NFL in terms of both average kickoff and average punt return yards allowed. Punter Ryan Stonehouse had a punt blocked in each of his first two games, one for a TD. The Titans gave up a 90-yard punt return for a score.

The obvious choice is veteran kicker Nick Folk, who has not missed a PAT (18-of-18) and has connected on 14 of his 15 field goal attempts. He leads the team in scoring with 60 points, and the 17-year veteran continues to climb the NFL’s all-time rankings in points scored (1,692) and successful field goals (396). Folk—in his second season with the Titans—ranks 22nd in the former category, and 16th in the latter.