By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Titans are preparing for their preseason opener Saturday in Chicago with lots of national folks doubting their worth.
Preseason predictors in such places as Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, The Athletic and others rate the Titans at or near the bottom of the AFC South.
Because both the Colts and Texans have big question marks regarding the starting QB, the Titans are expected to finish ahead of them. But few think the Titans are even serious contenders for a wild card spot, let alone challenging Jacksonville for the division title.
Still, one plus is the addition of DeAndre Hopkins. The word on him in camp has been great. He is making tough catches, working hard and essentially showing that he will make all the other receivers better just by being on the field.
This is an enormous season for both Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry. Each is at the end of their contract, and their future is uncertain in terms of remaining on the team beyond this year. Both seem determined to have strong seasons, and the Titans’ fate clearly depends on that.
The other worry offensively is a line that was shaky last season, and has looked bad so far this year. There will no doubt be juggling all across the line during the three preseason games.
Defensively, the hope is a newly re-signed and happy Jeffery Simmons can lead a revived unit that was awful much of last season.
Answers to all these questions will begin to be provided starting Saturday afterrnoon.
Titans Preseason Schedule
• Sat. Aug. 12 at Bears noon CT
• Sat. Aug. 19 at Vikings 7 pm CT
• Fri. Aug. 25 vs. Patriots 7:15 pm CT
