Trying to Understand The National Media's Perception Of The Titans
Every single year, Titans fans have to deal with the foolishness from the national media. Even though I'm numb to most of it, there is a large part of the fan base that isn't. It seems like there's a new level of foolishness the national media reaches every time they speak about the Titans.
We're living in a day and age where social media is most people's number one source for news and information. There are many methods and tactics social media accounts use to get views and engagement. Trolling is a popular form of engagement. For those that don't know what trolling is; trolling per Merriam-Webster Dictionary is defined as harassing, criticizing, or antagonizing (someone) especially by provocatively disparaging or mocking public statements, postings, or acts.
Now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about it. The national media constantly trolls Titans fans. This off-season is a prime example of the national media trolling the Titans fan base. With the addition of multiple high profile players via free agency and trade, national media outlets continue to give the Titans little to no chance to win the AFC South. According to ESPN Analytics, the Titans have a 5% chance to win the AFC South in 2024.
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The Texans hype is understandable. The Texans had an amazing season in 2023 lead by a first year head coach in DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. On paper, they've only gotten better with the additions of Stefon Diggs via trade, Denico Autry, Joe Mixon, and Danielle Hunter. A 51% chance for the Texans is fair.
Giving the Jacksonville Jaguars a 23% chance to win is fair to me as well. The Jaguars didn't make a huge splash in free agency like they usually do, but they managed to sign wide receiver Gabe Davis in March and drafted LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick in this year's draft. The Jaguars also were able to extend pass rusher Josh Allen. The two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher earned a five-year, $150 million deal after his 17.5 sack season in 2023. Everything is going to boil down to whether Trevor Lawrence can make an expected leap into a premiere quarterback.
The problem with the percentages starts now. The Colts swept the Titans last season. I don't have a problem with the Colts having a higher percentage because of that alone. They also found themselves in a win and in playoff game to end the season against the Texans. Once again, I have no problem with the Colts having a higher percentage. The problem I have is with the margin between the Colts and Titans.
Let's not act like the Colts all out dominated the Titans in both of their meetings in 2023. Both games were decided by single digits. The Colts won in Indianapolis by a score of 23-16. They needed overtime to pull off a win in Nashville on December 3rd, 2023. In one of the wildest games of the year, the Colts defended the Titans 31-28.
When it comes to the off-season, the Colts done little to nothing as usual. They resigned their own guys and brought in veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to back up Anthony Richardson. Speaking of Anthony Richardson, why does the national media hold Richardson in such high regards but are skeptical about Will Levis? Let's look at the numbers for a second.
https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/stats/anthony-richardson-will-levis.php
Richardson played in five less games than Levis. While he does have a better completion percentage, Levis averaged more yards per attempt. I honestly feel like the national media is only out on Levis because of where he played/plays football. I mean what exactly did Anthony Richardson do in college that Will Levis didn't do. Both came into the league with their decision making and accuracy being questioned. Both did not play a full season as a rookie and missed time as a rookie. The Colts did not make their late season push with Richardson at the helm. On paper, the Titans have a better roster but yet, all the faith is in the Colts with a quarterback who only played in 5 games his rookie year. Can someone please make it make sense? Had they given the Colts a 15% chance and the Titans 12% chance, I wouldn't be writing this article.
This isn't the first time the Titans have been trolled by the national media, and it isn't going to be the last time. Don't expect the trolling to stop if the Titans just so happen to shock the world in the regular season either. We all remember what was said back in 2021 when the Titans finished 1st in the AFC with an historical amount of injuries and no Derrick Henry. They were label the worst 1st place team in NFL history!!!