We love our fellow USA TODAY writers, but we don’t like the record one is predicting for the Tennessee Titans’ 2022 season.
According to USA TODAY’s Nate Davis, the Titans will finish with an 8-9 record and miss the playoffs. He also has the Indianapolis Colts finishing with a 9-8 mark and winning the division. Here’s Davis’ take:
Tennessee Titans (8-9): Over the past two seasons, they’re 23-10 with a couple of division crowns … yet that doesn’t include a pair of ugly one-and-done playoff losses in Nashville. All-galaxy RB Derrick Henry is back to full steam, but what’s he supposed to do against defenses that likely won’t have to pay much mind to an unrecognizable receiving corps or QB Ryan Tannehill, who seems a few more shaky performances away from becoming a lame duck?
While it’s certainly fair to assume the Titans will take a step back after a 12-5 season thanks to the uncertainty surrounding their offensive line, quarterback and receiving corps., we don’t see it being that drastic.
The Titans are set to have an elite defense in 2022, and they’ll hopefully have Derrick Henry, who is the heart and soul of the offense, for an entire season this time around after he missed nine games in 2021.
It's time. Let the debating begin.
See how @ByNateDavis envisions the entire 2022 NFL season playing out — and why it will happen that way. 👉 https://t.co/3cJWB1mq8I pic.twitter.com/seDKv3lRXG
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) July 26, 2022
While Tennessee’s schedule overall will be tough, especially thanks to their having to play the vastly-improved AFC West, the situation in the division remains favorable.
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans should be a little better, but both will still be bad overall.
And, the Titans’ biggest competition for the division, the Colts, have similar issues to Tennessee and are trying to transition to yet another new signal-caller.
Adding to that, the Titans have owned the Colts recently, winning four of the last five contests between the two, including both matchups in 2021.
Make no mistake about it, the Titans will have a tough road to the playoffs and the divisional race will be neck-and-neck, but we believe Tennessee will ultimately come out on top in the AFC South with a 10-7 record.
