Column: Final Thoughts Ahead Of The Titans 2022-23 Season

/in /by

Ryan Tannehill. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

Week 1 of the NFL season is finally here and the Titans have a tough schedule ahead of them as they look to take the AFC South for a second straight season.

The Indianapolis Colts have been picked as the favorites to win the division by many sports pundits and websites as they’ve added former MVP Matt Ryan as their starting quarterback. But the Titans still have most of their team from last season intact, which should help them push for another division championship and playoff run.

There are a few holes in this year’s team which could lead to major concerns but, with Derrick Henry at full strength after suffering an injury last season, it should put them in the best spot to be a top AFC contender.

Derrick Henry. Photo: Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

With all of these factors, here are some final thoughts of the Tennessee Titans ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Is Ryan Tannehill their best option to win?

Since Ryan Tannehill‘s abysmal performance in the AFC Divisional game last season against the Cincinnati Bengals, there have been a lot of concerns and questions as to whether or not he’s the right guy for the job moving forward.

During training camp this summer, there was talk that rookie Malik Willis could possibly take his spot, but Tannehill shut all that down with a great camp showing he is the starting QB both on the field and off the field as a real leader of the team. Tannehill finished the regular season very strong, being named AFC Player of the Week and helping secure the Titans No. 1.

Yes, he struggled, but without the offense relying on Henry, Tannehill had to step up and he did.

I believe, pending any type of injury, Tannehill will play the entire season as the Titans starting quarterback and won’t show any regression. He knows the stakes and that his career may be on the line, and he showed that he is one of the team’s most important leaders in training camp.

Can the defense be as effective as last year?

The Titans had one of the best defenses last season with Harold Landry, Jeffery Simmons and Kevin Byard leading the way.

Despite their playoff loss, the defense was fantastic, sacking Joe Burrow nine times and holding the Bengals to just 19 points. Sadly, Landry suffered a new injury after training camp which has put questions around how effective the Titans pass rush can be.

Jeffery Simmons. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

Obviously with Landry sidelined for what might be a good portion of the season, the defense is no longer as strong as it was, but this is an opportunity for Simmons to shine as one of the league’s best defensive linemen.

In 2021-22, he had 54 tackles, 42 of which were solo tackles, and finished the season with 8.5 sacks. As his contract is on the line, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he has his best year yet.

Along with Simmons, Byard and newly singed safety Amani Hooker have proved to be deadly in the defensive backfield and will be major factors for the team’s success. Fears shouldn’t be too high with so many players still healthy on the defense but, until they take the field, we cannot be certain what Landry’s absence will mean.

Will the Titans O-Line woes comeback to hurt them?

One of the main storylines during this summer’s Titans training camp was whether or not the team will find fits at right tackle and left guard. They do have Taylor Lewan and Ben Jones on the line to be the anchors, but those questions have yet to be answered.

Offensive lineman Taylor Lewan and head coach Mike Vrabel. Photo: Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans

They cut left guard Roger Saffold last March as his age and multiple injuries throughout the season were major concerns, but there hasn’t been a clear replacement.

Aaron Brewer seems to be the fit at right tackle for now as the undrafted free agent has been signed with the Titans since 2020. He started in five games last season, three of which were at right guard.

The Titans may look to rookie and third-round pick Nicholas Petit-Frere at right tackle, but a lot of improvement needs to be shown first and there may be some growing pains early on in the season.

The offensive line questions marks are probably the biggest concerns for the Titans this season as they rely on their run game so much. A struggling offensive line will trickle down to almost every aspect of their offense.

Game By Game Predictions:

Final record: 11-6; win the AFC South by one game.

Sept. 11 – vs. New York Giants: Titans win 34-14

Sept. 19 – vs. Buffalo Bills: Titans lose 28-17

Sept. 25 – vs. Las Vegas Raiders: Titans win 24-21

Oct. 2 – vs. Indianapolis Colts: Titans lose 28-14

Oct. 9 – vs. Washington Commanders: Titans win 30-10 

Oct. 23 – vs. Indianapolis Colts: Titans win 17-10

Oct. 30 – vs. Houston Texans: Titans win 38-13

Nov. 6 – vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Titans win 31-27

Nov. 13 – vs. Denver Broncos: Titans win 27- 17

Nov. 17 – vs. Green Bay Packers: Titans lose 34-21

Nov. 27 – vs. Cincinatti Bengals: Titans lose 21-16

Dec. 4 – vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Titans win 24- 17

Dec. 11 – vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Titans win 41-10

Dec. 18 – vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Titans lose 30-24

Dec. 24 – vs. Houston Texans: Titans win 28-14

Dec. 29 – vs. Dallas Cowboys: Titans lose 34-31

TBA – vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Titans win 31-17

Steven Boero
Latest posts by Steven Boero (see all)