The Tennessee Titans have entered recent seasons as underdogs — and rightfully so given their underwhelming 9-7 overall record for the past three seasons.
But there are some who expect the team to be better than the experts’ projections make them out to be.
Bleacher Report’s Chris Roling called the Titans an “underrated contender” in a recent article, citing quarterback Marcus Mariota as a key player in this analysis.
“Given Tennessee’s strong weapons at the skill positions and underrated defense, Mariota is the key to this underrated contender,” he wrote.
With all the right pieces put in place within the receiving corps, the offensive line and continuity in the promotion of former tight ends coach Arthur Smith to offensive coordinator, Mariota has what he needs to prove himself in the fifth and final year of his contract.
The Titans should see improvement particularly in the passing game from new additions like Adam Humphries, and in quarterback protection from names like Rodger Saffold.
The Titans will kick off the preseason on Aug. 8 on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles at 6:30 p.m. CT at Lincoln Financial Field.
