The Tennessee Titans suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Houston Texans in Week 11, 22-13, and as a result they are moving backwards in the NFL power rankings of different experts.
As always, we start our round-up with USA TODAY’s Nate Davis, who has the Titans moving back four spots from No. 3 to No. 7.
7. Titans (3): The absence of RB Derrick Henry was bound to hurt eventually, but give them credit for what they’ve overcome from personnel perspective. Tennessee has played a league-high 82 players this season, eight more than any other team.
The 82 players the Titans have fielded this season is two shy for the most any team has played since 1993. The 2019 Miami Dolphins and 2020 San Francisco 49ers hold the record with 84.
Despite their injuries and the Week 11 loss, the Titans remain in first place in the AFC South and conference, although the latter will change if they lose to the New England Patriots in Week 12.
Now, we look at where other experts are ranking the Titans.
Nick Wojton, Touchdown Wire: 5 (-4)
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Wojton: What happened to the Titans? The Bills are a close second but the shocker of the weekend was Tennessee… losing to the Texans? And while on a six-game winning streak? The Titans are still a top team, but they’ve got to use this as a wakeup call that they cannot take days off when RB Derrick Henry isn’t in the fold.
For whatever reason, this team just keeps playing down to competition. Odd for a top team in the AFC.
Barry Werner, The List Wire: 4 (-3)
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Werner: Baffling. The only word that can describe the Tennessee Titans. Absolutely baffling. Next: at New England Patriots
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 3 (-2)
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Iyer: What was that? The Titans’ run-dependent ways with Derrick Henry caught up to them against the Texans when they couldn’t pass their way out of trouble in rainy and windy conditions. Ryan Tannehill cannot afford to play like that because the defense simply isn’t good enough to overcome it.
Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network: 8 (-7)
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Miller: After two years of analytical love, it appears losing Derrick Henry and Julio Jones has, in fact, been enough to derail Ryan Tannehill’s efforts. The Titans’ offense has looked bad for three straight weeks.
They beat the Rams because they got turnovers early, and their defense stepped up without their star runner. Unless they can find some success using play-action, I’m not sure how Tennessee’s passing attack becomes sufficient, even with A.J. Brown.
However, it would be foolish to ignore the quality wins on their schedule. As with seemingly every NFL team in 2021, we have to take a wait-and-see approach to this offense. But it feels like the old Tom Moore legend when talking about Peyton Manning — except it’s about King Henry instead.
Dan Hanzus, NFL.com: 8 (-6)
Syndication: The Tennessean
Hanzus: Nothing should really be considered stunning in the NFL this season, but there weren’t many people who predicted the Titans’ impressive winning streak would be snapped at home at the hands of the Texans. Ryan Tannehill threw four interceptions in the 22-13 setback and increasingly appeared like a man alone on an island once A.J. Brown joined Julio Jones and Derrick Henry on the list of unavailable offensive stars. Tennessee has shown no hints of mounting a sustainable offense since Henry went on the shelf after foot surgery three weeks ago. This all feels like terrible timing for a game against the red-hot Patriots, but Mike Vrabel’s Titans have a habit of overcoming the odds.
NFL Nation, ESPN: 3 (-1)
Syndication: Nashville
Turron Davenport: Most memorable Thanksgiving game: Blew out the Lions 47-10 on Nov. 22, 2008
The Titans wanted to atone for their first loss of the season after starting the year with a 10-game winning streak. Tennessee’s dual backfield of Chris Johnson (16 carries, 125 yards, two touchdowns) and LenDale White (23 carries, 106 yards, two touchdowns) was on full display in the blowout win. Johnson scored on a 6-yard run and later showcased his elite speed on a 58-yard touchdown scamper. Meanwhile, White powered through the Detroit defense for two short touchdown runs of his own. Both backs finished with over 100 yards rushing, and as a team, the Titans rushed for 292 yards.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 4 (-2)
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Prisco: That had to be a major letdown as to why they lost to the Texans at home. Or was it a sign that the offense might have major issues going forward?
Josh Schrock, NBC Sports: 8 (-5)
Syndication: The Tennessean
Schrock: No Derrick Henry, no Julio Jones and now A.J. Brown is banged up. The Titans’ offense needs someone to save it, but Ryan Tannehill isn’t up to the task.
Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports: 10 (-7)
AP Photo/Mark Zaleski
Schwab: Well, it was pretty clear the Titans weren’t as good as their 8-2 record last week. But losing to Houston? Ouch. They were due for a weird, bad-luck loss, and this was it. They’re not as good as 8-2 and not as bad as falling behind 19-0 at home to the Texans. They’re still going to win the division, but nobody will be picking them to make a playoff run. The offense just isn’t good enough without Derrick Henry.
