Will Levis, stat leaders, defensive MVP among 10 predictions for the Tennessee Titans 2024 season

The 2024 NFL season kicks off this week, so it's time for everybody to fire off their season predictions! From statistical leaders, to team MVPs, to players looking to change the narrative, there's plenty of outcomes to prognosticate.

Here are 10 Titans predictions ahead of the maiden voyage of the Brian Callahan era:

Will Levis Total Touchdowns

When I was presented this question in rapid-fire format on the A to Z Morning Show, the gut reaction that I spit out was 16 TDs. Both of my cohosts—and dozens of you in the live chat—pushed back on that answer. And you’re all right, that’s too low a guess (always think your answers through, kids!).

That being said, I don’t think it’s actually too far off. I’m amending my answer to 22 passing touchdowns and 5 rushing touchdowns. That’s probably still lower than many of you think is fair, but the original consideration behind keeping the number low is twofold.

For starters, I think this team will eventually be good, but it may take a while. I’m expecting the Titans to be clunky for the first month or two. Eventually they’ll figure it out, but there are a lot of moving parts here. No matter how good you are on paper, I just don’t think it can come together overnight.

So I wouldn’t be surprised if half of Will's total touchdowns come in the final third of the season.

The other reason I think the number should be lower is because I think this team will score more on the ground than many folks are expecting them to. They have a strong quarterback capable of punching the ball into the end zone. They’ve got a coach who seems willing to use him that way. They’ve got two very strong running backs and a rebuilt offensive line who has made it clear: they want to build from the run game up. don’t be surprised if half of this team's total touchdowns are on the ground.

Will Levis Total Interceptions

This is probably a surprisingly low answer as well: just 7. We know Levis has a history of being a gunslinging, risk taking passer. And that’s both a blessing and a curse at times. But I think Brian Callahan’s guidance and style of offense will intentionally limit the number of big mistakes he’ll make. So in Year 2, I’ll bet he limits his turnover worthy play rate significantly.

Rushing Touchdowns Leader

I’m sticking to my guns here and going with the back that I felt all off-season is the better player: Tyjae Spears. Tony Pollard has been impressive this summer, and has made me reconsider his role in this offense. And I expect both backs to have relatively similar seasons, but at the end of the day, Tyjae is the younger and more explosive player. I think Brian Callahan will find more ways to utilize him in both the run and passing game by the time the season is over. I don’t think a 1000 yard, 10 touchdown season is out of the question for Spears.

Receptions Leader

I’m gonna go with Calvin Ridley on this one. He and DeAndre Hopkins are likely to be the 1a/1b wide receiver tandem for the Titans. I think Ridley has more juice at this point in his career and is less likely to miss time to injury. He’s also thoroughly impressed me all training camp. I think removed from his first season back in Jacksonville after the suspension, having shaken off the rust, he’s going to look even better in his age 30 season. This is a player I expect Brian Callahan and Will Levis to find at every level of the field in most every situation they find themselves in. he’s a talent worthy of force-feeding the ball.

Receiving Yards Leader

If he’s going to have the most receptions, I think he’s going to have the most yards. So we'll go with Calvin Ridley again here. The nuanced answer here is whichever starting Titans receiver is the healthiest. If you told me how many games each of Ridley and Hopkins played this year, I’d be able to give you a much more accurate depiction of what their receiving stats will look like. but Based simply on what I expect this offense to look like, how I expect Will Levis to attack the field, and who has looked more impressive to me in camp, I’m sticking to my Ridley guns.

Receiving Touchdowns Leader

The boring answer here is Ridley or Hopkins, who will likely lead this category if they stay healthy. But lets get interesting: how about TE Josh Whyle?

He’s poised to be the 1a (at least) in this offense in the “Y” tight end position, which is your more traditional, in-line, seam route kind of role. Listed at 6’7", he’s a massive redzone target. I could see a world in which he gobbles up a large chunk of Titans touchdowns in the low redzone.

Will Treylon Burks Change The Narrative?

This answer requires nuance, because I don’t see Burks coming out of 2024 perceived as the future at WR (which he was originally supposed to be). There just won’t be enough opportunities for him to prove it, unless Tennessee suffers significant triage at the WR position.

But could he do enough to pique people’s interest heading into his 4th season? Sure! He’ll need to take advantage of nearly every chance he has with the ball in his hands. And based on what I’ve seen from him this summer, I’m willing to say he will.

Defensive MVP

Let’s have some fun with this one and go with the rookie, T'Vondre Sweat. Sure there are better defensive players already established, but Sweat has been a guy I have defended since the Senior Bowl in February. I think Defensive Rookie of the Year consideration isn’t entirely out of the question for him if he stays healthy and on the field. and if he’s even in that discussion, then I think he will have to have been the missing piece on the Titans defense that is harolded as a massive addition.

Titans Final Record

The boring answer is the necessary one here. The Titans are going to go 9-8 this season. As I alluded to previously, I expect this team to struggle to maintain a .500 record through the first 2/3 of the year, but their schedule shapes up for a strong finish. I think they’ll start to really click in November and December, so I expect them to be 6-6 or 5-7 through 12 games and then go on a win streak to end the year on a playoff push.

Titans To The Playoffs?

While I do think the Titans have a chance to make the postseason this year, it’s going to be an uphill climb. I think they’ll end the strong push for a spot and ultimately come up just short, but the narrative will be glowing. Heading into 2025, the Titans may very well be one of the national darlings with the most momentum heading into next season.