There are 12 teams which have never won a Super Bowl. Our beloved Tennessee Titans are one of them.
If the question ever comes up in a game of trivia, the other teams are:
Arizona Cardinals
Atlanta Falcons
Buffalo Bills
Carolina Panthers
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Detroit Lions
Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars
Los Angeles Chargers
Minnesota Vikings
There’s talk in NFL circles this could very well be the year that dubious list shrinks from 12 teams to 11.
The Buffalo Bills are a popular pick to win the Super Bowl after last year’s 13-3 season behind 25-year-old superstar QB Josh Allen. The Cleveland Browns are also a sexy pick behind what many fans like to call the best running game in the NFL with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
I’d like to submit another name for consideration and say the Tennessee Titans are a very strong Super Bowl contender in what’s a stacked AFC. In addition to the aforementioned Bills and Browns, there’s also the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, and let’s not forget those Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tennessee is an imposing team in its own right, a physical team that knows its identity is to overpower opponents with RB Derrick Henry, the NFL’s leading rusher for two straight years.
Also grabbing headlines is the acquisition of Julio Jones, who combines with A.J. Brown to give the Titans the best WR tandem in the league. Tennessee has never been able to say that.
Last year was an injury-riddled disaster for Julio and he still managed to gain 771 yards receiving while playing in just nine games. The prior six seasons, his lowest output was 1,394 yards.
If Julio, at age 32, can return to his pre-injury form, he will be the best wide receiver to play in Nashville in Titans history. That’s not necessarily saying much because the team has produced Pro Bowl running backs like Eddie George, Chris Johnson and Derrick Henry, but few memorable WRs.
Another plus for the offense, LT Taylor Lewan is scheduled to return from a torn ACL he suffered last season in Week 6. He rejoins an offensive line that should be a strength of the team.
As for team weaknesses, that would be the entire defense. The big knock on the Titans is the defense lacks punch. More specifically, the defense lacks any type of pass rush.
The Titans added three probable starters in free agency in DE Denico Autry, LB Bud Dupree and CB Janoris “Jackrabbit” Jenkins. The Titans also let 75% of their starting secondary leave after last year’s abysmal effort.
A healthy Julio Jones gives the Titans an offense that ranks in the top 5 of the NFL. If the defense can do something, anything, this could be the year for that elusive Super Bowl title.
