Titans power rankings round-up going into Week 18

The Tennessee Titans fell further into the abyss of being one of the worst teams in the NFL in Week 17 after dropping their 11th contest of the 2023 campaign in a 26-3 defeat at the hands of the Houston Texans.

We start our power rankings round-up on the mothership, where USA TODAY’s Nate Davis has the Titans falling four spots to No. 29. Here’s Davis’ thoughts on Tennessee:

29. Tennessee Titans (25): Borrowing from last week’s thought but … two years in, pretty crazy they won’t even leverage an opportunity to potentially showcase QB Malik Willis to other teams.

I have to agree with Davis here.

With Levis sidelined in Week 16, the Titans had a chance to play Willis and give him one last look ahead of the offseason, when they’ll have to decide whether or not to keep him.

Not that anyone would have expected him to, but playing well would have helped Willis’ non-existent trade stock or, at the very least, would have given the Titans a better idea about his ability to be Levis’ backup in 2024.

Instead, the Titans opted to roll with Ryan Tannehill, who will be gone in free agency this coming offseason. Perhaps the Titans will change course in Week 18 if Levis, who is dealing with a foot injury and shouldn’t play even if healthy enough to do so, doesn’t suit up.

Now, our round-up:

They can play spoiler this week if they can beat the Jaguars. But this season has been a major disappointment and changes are coming.

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 29 (-1)

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News:

The Titans need to do some page-flipping offensively with their youth movement around Will Levis and both the offensive line and secondary need upgrades for them to be a lot more competitive in a sudden tough division.

Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports: 28 (-2)

Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports:

Will Levis came back from a high ankle sprain and then suffered another injury and left Sunday’s game. While it would be ideal to get Levis as many reps as possible before the end of the season, it was probably unwise to rush him back. And you’d assume his season is done now. He showed promising things as a rookie.

Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network: 26 (no change)

Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network:

Will Levis has been much better as a rookie than we could have hoped for. No matter the talent of a player, particularly a quarterback, the passer’s environment is incredibly important. Levis is surrounded by a dumpster fire, and he stepped into the flames without getting burnt too badly.