Ryan Tannehill is the Answer

The Tennessee Titans are on the verge of something special, and the main reason is QB Ryan Tannehill. The team is 8–5 overall and 6–1 since he took over the starting QB position.

When the 2019 NFL season began, I knew the Titans had one of the best backup QBs in the league. GM Jon Robinson acquired Tannehill from the Miami Dolphins this past offseason to upgrade the QB2 role behind oft-injured starter Marcus Mariota (No more Matt Cassel or Blaine Gabbert!). However, the eight-year veteran has proven he still has plenty left in the tank, throwing 15 TDs and just 3 INTs since he took over the starting role.

Of course, he’s not the only reason for the revitalized Titan offense. Running back Derrick Henry has reverted to December 2018 form, totaling 10 TDs and averaging 118 rushing yards per game since Tannehill took over. For comparison, Henry averaged just over 69 rushing yards per game with Mariota at QB.

The reason for the disparity is obvious. Once again, Mariota is a tough player with unquestionable character. However, his football skills in the NFL are limited. With him steering the ship, opposing teams didn’t have to worry about the deep ball. Defenses could key in on the run game or short pass plays, meaning all 11 defenders were generally near the line of scrimmage. In today’s game, offenses have to be able to stretch the ball downfield to open up running lanes. That’s exactly what Tannehill has done for Henry. In turn, it makes each of them more effective.

Once coach Mike Vrabel pulled the plug on the Mariota era, I assumed we would see Tannehill complete another mediocre Titans season, and Tennessee would be looking for a suitable replacement in the 2020 draft. Not so fast. Our QB of the future might be the one under center right now. I expect Robinson to lock Tannehill up for the next few seasons, because I haven’t seen the Tennessee offense look this explosive since the days of Steve McNair.

The Titans currently sit at 8–5, just outside the playoffs due to a tiebreaker against Pittsburgh for the 2nd Wild Card, and the remaining three games are as tough a stretch as the team has faced this year. AFC South leaders, the Houston Texans, visit Nashville on Sunday, followed by the Saints next weekend. That could potentially set up a showdown in Houston Week 17 with the division title on the line. If the Titans are truly going to go from “Good to Great” as Vrabel spoke about in the offseason, it’s there for the taking. Win and you’re in. Want to make a statement? Start at home this Sunday at Nissan Stadium by taking down Houston.

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