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Tennessee Titans getting hot at perfect moment for playoff push

By Cody Williams

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs for a touchdown in the second half and stiff arms Jarrod Wilson #26 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 42-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs for a touchdown in the second half and stiff arms Jarrod Wilson #26 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 42-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Two straight wins and a 4-1 record since Ryan Tannehill took over has the Tennessee Titans getting hot at the right time and with legit playoff aspirations.

There was no stopping the Tennessee Titans in Nashville on Sunday for the Jaguars. Derrick Henry was a monster with over 150 rushing yards, two scores and a 74-yard touchdown run, Ryan Tannehill had just four incompletions while accounting for four total touchdowns and the defense was good early then coasted to a 42-20 victory.

Winning on Sunday in Week 12 now has the Titans as one of the NFL’s hottest team. Since Tannehill replaced Marcus Mariota at quarterback, Tennessee has shown new life, posting a 4-1 record in those five games. Moreover, the team has now improved to 6-5, the same record as the second-place Colts in the AFC South and just one game behind the Texans.

For a team that started the year 2-4, the Titans are now firmly in the playoff hunt. Not only is their record the same as the Pittsburgh Steelers, who currently occupy the second Wild Card spot in the AFC, but the Titans have a matchup with Indianapolis and both games against Houston remaining on their schedule.

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You could also make the argument that, right now, no team in the division is playing as well as the Titans currently are. Henry has been playing at an All-Pro level over the past three weeks, including averaging over eight yards per carry over his last two games and accounting for 347 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Tannehill has been rock-solid as well, completing over 70 percent of his throws with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions in his five starts this season. And though many have said the defense has fallen off, they were up 35-3 on the Jaguars late in the third quarter before turning on cruise control that allowed 17 points.

The Week 13 matchup in Indianapolis is going to be crucial for the Titans. The Colts narrowly topped the Titans, 19-17, back in Week 2. But if Tennessee can return the favor with a road victory that will put them completely in control of their own destiny. That would put them a game ahead of Indianapolis (and perhaps in the No. 6 Wild Card seed).

Moreover, if the Titans can exploit a suspect Texans defense in Weeks 15 and 17 and pressure Deshaun Watson, that’s a clear path to winning the division. And even if they split, a game against the Raiders in Week 14 looks like a win for Tennessee. So even if they lose to New Orleans in Week 16, that would put them at a 9-7 finish, which could still be good enough to win the South or earn a Wild Card berth.

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What’s clear, however, is that the Titans have found something with Tannehill and this late-season run. The quarterback may not be the long-term answer but he’s the right guy for right now. He gives this offense an added element of unpredictability that wasn’t there with Mariota. The result is this team peaking right when they need to. And that could and, frankly, should lead to a playoff spot for Tennessee.

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