Some would say the Tennessee Titans have already hit rock bottom after their latest ugly defeat in Week 11, but the team can fall even further in Week 12 against the Carolina Panthers, who sport the league’s worst record.
Tennessee’s miserable season is reflected in the NFL power rankings of experts. Our round-up begins with USA TODAY’s Nate Davis, who was actually nicer to Tennessee than anyone else in terms of ranking.
He has the Titans moving up one spot to No. 23 this week. Here’s what he had to say:
23. Titans (24): Why are they burning the play that results in a TD pass to Pro Bowl DT Jeffery Simmons when they’re trailing by 27 points?
Fair point by Davis here, although that’s hardly the most frustrating thing about this team in 2023. But for the sake of our collective sanity, I won’t re-hash why this team stinks so badly.
Now, a look at the rest of our NFL power rankings round-up going into Week 12.
Jarrett Bailey, Touchdown Wire: 29 (-1)
Jarrett Bailey, Touchdown Wire:
What can we say about the Titans? No, really, what can you say? This team is as bland as flavorless Greek yogurt.
Barry Werner, The List Wire: 27 (-3)
Let’s get it over with and part ways with Mike Vrabel so he can be in play for the New England Patriots head coaching job.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 27 (-3)
This season is lost after the Jaguars blew them out. The offensive line is bad, which impacts everything they do.
NFL Nation, ESPN: 27 (-1)
Preseason hot seat: CB Kristian Fulton
Current temperature of hot seat: HotFulton is playing for a new contract that doesn’t seem likely to come from the Titans. He had a tough start to the season and was forced to split time with second-year player Tre Avery. Fulton eventually got the majority of snaps once again and played well for a three-game stretch. But coach Mike Vrabel pulled him again in favor of Avery after he struggled in Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars, saying it was a non-injury-related coach’s decision. It’s unclear whether Fulton will continue to split game reps with Avery. But it’s starting to look more likely that he won’t be back next season.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 29 (-2)
The Titans just can’t compete offensively with things crumbling around Will Levis, save for a few random big plays. Their defense also needs major change, despite having TD scorer Jeffery Simmons up front.
Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports: 28 (-3)
The Titans have lost 14 of 17 games since late last season. Yet, if the Titans have any thoughts of firing Mike Vrabel, they’ve lost their minds.
“I don’t try to concern myself with that,” Vrabel said about his job security, via the Tennessean.
It’s not fun to lose. But changing coaches just to do it doesn’t make sense. Vrabel is still a good coach. The Titans won’t be better off without him.
Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network: 27 (-3)
Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network:
The Tennessee offense threw their first road touchdown of the season on a trick play flea flicker, but that was about the only offense that they could manage for the game. Their offensive line is tragic, giving Will Levis practically no chance to survive at an adequate level.
Josh Schrock, NBC Sports: 29 (-2)
The Titans have been outscored 140-70 on the road this season. Tennessee has two road games left – Miami and Houston – so it’s possible the Titans will finish the season 0-8 away from home.
K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire: 28 (-2)
Bleacher Report: 29 (-4)
The 2023 season keeps getting uglier and uglier for the Tennessee Titans—especially when they hit the road.
After getting waxed by the Jaguars in Jacksonville Sunday, the Titans are a dreadful 0-6 on the road this season and have now lost nine straight away from Nissan Stadium. It was an efficient day for rookie quarterback Will Levis, who posted a passer rating of 143.8. But he only threw for 158 yards, and after the loss head coach Mike Vrabel wasn’t interested in discussing small wins inside yet another loss.
“When you lose, nobody did enough,” Vrabel told reporters. “We’re not going to have that mentality, ‘Well, this guy played good, but we lost.’ We’re trying to create a culture and an environment that when you lose everyone has to be better.”
He also wasn’t interested in discussing his job security.
“I don’t try to concern myself with that,” he said. “I really am focused on these players. I hurt for them. I played 14 years, won some games, won some championships. I am frustrated for players. I am disappointed for players. I want them to have success.”
However, as the losses pile up, Vrabel’s future as Tennessee’s head coach is only going to grow cloudier—because this team appears headed for a full-on rebuild.
Eric Edholm, NFL.com: 27 (-2)
Mike Vrabel’s job security is being questioned after three straight losses to fall to 3-7. Vrabel is 51-41 as a head coach and has two postseason victories. I believe many teams would love to have him coaching their team. But the Titans are now 3-14 over their past 17 games dating back to last season, when they were 7-4 entering Week 13 but dropped seven straight to hand the division to Jacksonville. It looks like the Titans will miss the playoffs again following Sunday’s loss, and the lack of talent on the roster appears to be a big reason why. If the Titans lose seven straight this year, will Vrabel be able to keep his job? This offseason, the Titans are projected to have more than $100 million in cap space and plenty of draft ammo, so Vrabel will have motivation to try to rally Will Levis and the Titans’ defense to stay competitive.
Titans' average ranking: 28
