Tennessee Titans 2024 Record PREDICTION: Playoffs???
The 2024 NFL Season is officially upon us, which means it’s time for one last record prediction for the Tennessee Titans. The Two-Tone Blue arguably had the best offseason in the NFL, but will it translate to immediate success in 2024?
Week 1: WIN at Chicago Bears (1-0)
Notes: Though most of the national media are picking the Bears, the Titans match up well with Chicago. Dennard Wilson's aggressive and attacking defense should overwhelm Caleb Williams in his first game, and Tennessee's secondary, led by L'Jarius Sneed, should be able to contain Chicago's talented receiving corps enough to come away with the victory.
Will Levis and the offense looked good in the final preseason game, but a slow start could be on the horizon due to a new scheme and a bunch of new starters. They'll do just enough to come away with an opening win.
Week 2: LOSS vs. New York Jets (1-1)
Notes: The Titans home opener comes against a Jets team with Super Bowl aspirations. This will be a close game, but New York's secondary is arguably the best in football, and it'll be a little too much for Will Levis early in the season.
Week 3: LOSS vs. Green Bay Packers (1-2)
Notes: The September schedule for Tennessee is brutal, as they face another formidable opponent in the Packers. Brian Callahan and Co will be competitive in most games this season, but Matt LaFleur and Green Bay are ready to compete for a division title in a tough NFC North this season.
Week 4: WIN at Miami Dolphins (2-2)
Notes: After a two-game losing streak at home, the Titans head back on the road and pick up a win over the Dolphins. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are explosive and dangerous, but Tua Tagovailoa doesn't scare me as much, and Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat can easily exploit Miami's interior offensive line.
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: WIN vs. Indianapolis Colts (3-2)
Notes: Coming off a bye, the Titans face off against the division-rival Colts at Nissan Stadium. Indy's defense doesn't match up well against Tennessee's offense, as the Colts' secondary leaves a lot to be desired and is easily one of the worst units in the NFL.
With extra rest and Indianapolis having a tough division game against the Jaguars a week earlier, the Titans get the Week 6 win.
Week 7: LOSS at Buffalo Bills (3-3)
Notes: Contrary to popular belief, the Bills are still contenders in the AFC because Josh Allen is fantastic. Tennessee will keep it close, but a road game in Buffalo and Allen's excellence leads to a loss.
Week 8: LOSS at Detroit Lions (3-4)
Notes: The Lions are my pick to win the Super Bowl, and they have the overall better team and roster in this one. Once again, the Titans will make every game competitive this season
Week 9: WIN vs. New England Patriots (4-4)
Notes: The Titans start the easiest stretch of the season in Week 9, taking on the Patriots at home. New England will be one of the worst teams in the NFL, and this should be a blowout win for Tennessee.
Week 10: WIN at Los Angeles Chargers (5-4)
Notes: The Chargers will be much improved in 2024, led by Jim Harbaugh, but the Titans are the better team and match up well with LA.
Week 11: WIN vs. Minnesota Vikings (6-4)
Notes: Neutralizing Justin Jefferson will be the hardest task of the season for L'Jarius Sneed, but the former Chief is well-equipped to do so. Jefferson will make plays and make the Titans' defense look foolish at times, but it won't be enough to beat a Tennessee team on a hot streak.
Week 12: LOSS at Houston Texans (6-5)
Notes: The Texans are the best team in the division and will be hitting their stride when the Titans come to town. Houston's defensive line will present a serious challenge to Tennessee's offensive line, and if CJ Stroud is as advertised after an impressive rookie campaign, this should be a home win for the Texans.
Week 13: WIN at Washington Commanders (7-5)
Notes: The Commanders have a bright future, but the Titans are the better team and get back in the win column.
Week 14: WIN vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5)
Notes: The Jaguars pass rush is the engine of the team and will pose a threat to Tennessee's offense. But Will Levis and the passing attack should be able to pick apart the secondary, and Jacksonville's offense doesn't scare me.
Week 15: LOSS vs. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)
Notes: Cincinnati is the better all-around team, and they know Brian Callahan and his coaching tendencies more than anyone in the NFL. The Titans will keep this one close, but Joe Burrow and the Bengals will escape with a narrow win.
Week 16: LOSS at Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
Notes: The Titans and Colts seemed destined to split games this season. Both teams have exciting young quarterbacks with potential and have their different strengths and weaknesses. Indy will pick up a home win against Tennessee in Week 16.
Week 17: WIN at Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7)
Notes: On the other hand, the Titans have all the tools necessary to sweep the Jaguars. Jacksonville's offense just doesn't amaze me, and Trevor Lawrence still has a ton of question marks surrounding him. Tennessee matches up well with their long-time division foe in Florida and will sweep them for the first time since 2020.
Week 18: LOSS vs. Houston Texans (9-8)
Notes: The Titans enter this game with a 9-7 record and a playoff berth on the line. I deliberated over this for over 20 minutes, but in the end, I don't think the Two-Tone Blue are ready to compete with the NFL's best just yet. Houston's pass rush and the brilliance of CJ Stroud will earn them a hard-fought sweep over the Titans.
Ultimately, I have the Tennessee Titans going 9-8 in 2024 and barely missing the playoffs. A winning season for Brian Callahan in year one is a successful debut campaign for the rookie head coach, but the Titans are still a year away from being a legit playoff contender.