The Tennessee Titans claimed a major scalp in the NFL by defeating the Los Angeles Rams on the road without the presence of All-Pro running back Derrick Henry. Mike Vrabel’s team have beaten a number of quality sides in the 2021 season and are rounding into form as the top contenders from the AFC to reach the Super Bowl and end their Vince Lombardi Trophy drought.
The titans have reached the Super Bowl only once in their history even dating back to 1960 when they were known as the Oilers. Over 20 years have passed since their defeat to the St Louis Rams in the 1999 campaign when Kevin Dyson was held agonisingly short of the goal line on the final play. Tennessee advanced to the AFC Championship Game in the 2019 campaign and held the leads over the Kansas City Chiefs, only to be denied by Patrick Mahomes and company.
The Titans earned a semblance of revenge by beating the Chiefs 27-3, humbling Andy Reid and his team. As a result of their victory among others over the Buffalo Bills and the Rams, the Titans are now one of the leading contenders at odds of +1000 in the NFL odds from Betfair to win the Super Bowl. Vrabel and the Titans will need Henry back in the ranks for the playoffs where his bruising style of running can be even more effective in the cold weather.
Henry has been sensational since breaking out in the 2016 campaign and has carried the fortunes of the team, especially after he joined an elite company of backs to surpass the 2,000 rushing mark last term. Few running backs in the history of the game have sent a trickle of fear down the spines of opposing defences, and Henry achieves that with his power and speed in the open field. Look for him to play a pivotal role once healthy towards the end of the season.
SWAIM TRAIN #TENvsLAR pic.twitter.com/pDss5yjrLA
— 104-5 The Zone (@1045TheZone) November 8, 2021
However, the impressive aspect of the Titans wins over the Rams was the fact that Henry was not on the field. Like all championship-calibre outfits, Tennessee found a way to win against a quality opponent. Ryan Tannehill has not been a standout quarterback since he entered the league in 2012, but since his move to Tennessee in 2019, he has produced a number of outstanding displays. Tannehill cannot beat teams on his own in the mould of Mahomes or Tom Brady, but he has displayed a knack for picking the right pass at the right moment. He has ample support from Henry, but even without his back against the Rams, the 33-year-old was on point with A.J Brown and Julio Jones enough to guide his team to a comfortable victory.
ICYM Kevin Byard Pick-Six pic.twitter.com/fZAV9aAEN7
— ESPN 102.5 The Game (@1025TheGame) November 8, 2021
Tennessee’s defence also looks to have the blend of credentials to win the Super Bowl. Kevin Byard is one of the best safeties in the game and his pick-six of Matt Stafford helped change the contest in Los Angeles. The 28-year-old is a ball-hawk in the secondary, and if he continues to make those game-changing plays then the Titans could be on the path to the number one seed in the AFC. Jeffrey Simmons, Denico Autry and Harold Landry will attempt to provide the pass-rush to help force further mistakes. Their defensive line has been inconsistent, but when firing on all cylinders, the Titans can beat any team in the league. Vrabel and his staff need to cultivate consistency, but the tools are there for a Super Bowl run.