What to expect from the Tennessee Titans in Week 1

What should the Tennessee Titans offer in Week 1 against the Broncos?

Last season, the Tennessee Titans took a magic carpet ride of upset victories as the No. 6 seed in the AFC en route to the brink of the Super Bowl. Beginning with an upset of the then-defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots and essentially ending Tom Brady’s career in Foxborough, the Music City sang the Baltimore Blues to eventual league MVP Lamar Jackson and the Ravens while knocking them out of the playoffs.

Unfortunately, the fairy tale ended in the Red Sea as Tennessee fell to eventual champion Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

Fast forward to the start of the 2020 season in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos and the Titans are expecting to be a contender in a competitive AFC. They made the decision to bring back quarterback Ryan Tannehill on a four-year extension worth $118 million with $62 million guaranteed. This comes after a 7-3 record and two playoff victories.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Titans lost starting right tackle Jack Conklin to the Browns in free agency. They proceeded to draft his replacement in Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson, who has been in the news so far for all the wrong reasons, including a recent arrest for DUI. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota is gone to the Raiders and reliable target Tajae Sharpe departed for Minnesota.

On the flip side, the bruiser in the backfield, Derrick Henry, is still in place, coming off a season where he ran for 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns and a postseason where he ran for 446 yards and two touchdowns while throwing for another.

Also returning is second-year receiver A.J. Brown, who looks poised to take the next step after a breakout rookie season in which he scored nine touchdowns with 1,052 yards.

With the defense, the Titans lost cornerback Logan Ryan to the New York Giants and traded defensive end Jurrell Casey to the Denver Broncos. Nevertheless, they pulled off a steal in defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who signed with the team right before the season on a one-year, $12 million deal. Linebacker Rashaan Evans and safety Kevin Byard also return to anchor the back end of a defense that was stingy in the second half of the season.

Heading into Week 1 on Monday Night Football against Casey and the Broncos, whom many are calling to be the surprise team this season, expect the Titans to come out with their usual physical approach.

With the loss of Von Miller, the Denver defense might have their hands full containing Henry. The Titans made sure every opponent and fan remembered them last season and they hope to do just that once more.