Towards the end of 2019, sitting on eight wins, the Titans faced a Week 17 “win-and-in” scenario in Houston to go to the playoffs. Of course they won that game against the Texans’ backups, which earned them a trip to Foxborough, where Tom Brady’s Patriots were virtually unbeatable (career home playoff record of 119-19).
What were Titans’ fans expectations for that playoff experience? You probably thought they had a chance to steal a game, but were you expecting it?
And wouldn’t it have been enough just to end the Patriots dynasty? Beating Baltimore in the Divisional Round was certainly possible, but we’re talking about one of the most dominant regular-season teams ever. The Titans were 10-point underdogs. Surely you weren’t expecting them to win?
Last year’s run to the AFC Championship was special in part because any run to the semifinals in pro sports will be a fun ride, but also because it came largely out of no where.
The Titans were 2-4 after six games. They were scratching and clawing just to make the playoffs through the end of the season. And it would’ve been satisfying enough just to know they made it and were on an upward trajectory as a franchise.
This year is a bit different. This year, the team motto heading into the postseason is never satisfied. Will Titans fans be okay with a one-and-done trip to the playoffs?
With last year’s surprising success comes the added pressure of higher expectations. After Tennessee signed Jadeveon Clowney in early September, hopes for this team skyrocketed. Many Titans fans expected to be competing for a Super Bowl in 2020.
But given the immense struggles on the defensive side of the ball, are you still hoping for a Super Bowl run? What would be “enough” to qualify as a successful season, given all we know now?
In my opinion, Mike Vrabel’s squad is the underdog this week for a reason, despite losing to Tennessee in their home stadium earlier this year.
That’s because the Titans defense has proven they can’t really stop anyone. It’ll be up to the offense to carry them through the postseason. Maybe they will be up to the task, but I want to hear from the fans: what are your expectations for this postseason?
There is always only one answer to a successful season – Lombardi Trophy. Let’s have a successful season, boys!
I like the way you think!
As John Glennon’s article pointed out earlier today, the 2018 Chiefs and 2016 Falcons both had similarly bad defenses compared to the Titans. And both of them stepped up in the post season. More than anything, we would need our pass rush to really step up. I have a hard time seeing where improvement can come from. I just hope Bowen and Vrabel have some not-seen-before blitzing schemes up their sleeves that will catch our opponents off guard.
At best I only see us winning one round. But as long as we’re in the playoffs, there’s always a chance, right?
absolutely! it’s all about offense nowadays. just have to be opportunistic enough on defense.
I’m thinking we can win this game vs the Ravens. As long as we keep Lamar contained and make him throw to the WRs on the outsides. Wish the defense was like last years at this time, but as long as we can continue scoring high we have a shot at anybody. OUT SCORE THEM!