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NFL Power Rankings 2019: Post-mandatory minicamp edition

By Randy Gurzi

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots prepares to take a snap in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots prepares to take a snap in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 2: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans takes the field before playing the New York Jets at Nissan Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 2: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans takes the field before playing the New York Jets at Nissan Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

27. Tennessee Titans (18)

At 9-7 in 2018, it would seem as though the Tennessee Titans should be higher on this list. They’re a strong defense and having a powerful running game led by Derrick Henry usually keeps them in games. However, it’s just so hard to believe in them due to their inconsistency at quarterback.

Marcus Mariota has been up and down for them since being selected second overall out of Oregon in 2015. He has games where he looks like a star and can dissect opponents — as he did in their Monday Night Football win over Dallas in Week 9. But he also has games where he completes nine passes such as he did in Week 1 against Miami. Then, when the team needs him most — like their Week 17 game where they had a shot at the playoffs — he’s sidelined with an injury.

Tennessee did add Ryan Tannehill, but the only way he’s going to “compete” with Mariota is for the most games missed — or perhaps to see who can be more inconsistent. As long as they don’t have that position solidified, it’s always going to be hard to believe in them. They’ll keep being just good enough to miss out on getting the elite draft picks they need to finally get over the hump but never good enough to truly contend. And that is the worst place you can be in the NFL.

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