Tennessee Titans: ESPN likes the Titans to have an average season

We are deep in the summer, where everyone is projecting everything. ESPN has now projected the Titans to win eight games in 2019.

2019 is supposed to be the year the Titans take the next step. If they go on to win eight games in 2019, it would be disappointing but probably expected from the Titans.

If the Titans can’t go from “good to great” this year, then it would be a major disappointment for the team and the fan base. The past three seasons they have finished 9-7 so going 8-8 as ESPN projects would be taking a step back.

Some may argue that losing that extra game will take you from good to decent, which is not what the Titans want.

I don’t think the Titans need to win the AFC South to take a step forward this year although it would be a big step in the right direction. Even winning 10-12 games this year would put them on the right track and if that doesn’t win them the division, it should secure a Wild Card spot.

For ESPN, the high hopes aren’t there for the Titans. With the 8-8 record, they have given Tennessee a 35% chance to make the Playoffs, a 19% chance to win the division, and a 2% chance to win the Super Bowl.

Based off this it looks like the Titans are going into the 2019 season underrated due to having a stacked division in front of them. The Titans are seen as maybe the worst team in the AFC South, but I don’t think that is true or a problem.

With the Texans, Colts and maybe even the Jaguars looking at a double-digit win season it’s going to be tough for the Titans to win ten or more games, but it’s not that far of a reach to say they will do so.

If Marcus Mariota can stay healthy, I think the Titans defense is good enough to lead them to a successful year in 2019. General Manager Jon Robinson has also been working hard this offseason to improve the team through the draft and free agency.

Robinson has especially been trying to find ways to help Mariota stay healthy and play at a high level on offense. If Mariota can’t get it done this year, it could be his last season in Nashville leaving the Titans to look for another quarterback or rely on Ryan Tannehill.

This season is a big one for the Titans and could change the next five to ten years for the Titans depending on how successful they are. I don’t know how I should feel about this season quite yet.

I want to feel optimistic, but the Titans haven’t been able to get the job done in the past few years so should I expect them to get it done this year?