Titans: Win Loss Prediction before training camp Part 1

If you can believe it, training camp is all but here! Titan’s players report on Tuesday, July 22 and play their first preseason game two and a half weeks later on August 9. As we all know, last season was not at all what fans were hoping to see. The keys to the Franchise were handed to second year quarterback Will Levis who proved he was not someone who should have possessed said keys to put it nicely. Brian Callahan also emerged as first year head coach and didn’t show much for Titan’s fans to be excited about. On the bright side, the Titan’s woes were awarded with the number one overall draft pick which they used to take Cam Ward, quarterback from the University of Miami FL. Despite many analysts ignoring Ward’s existence, he has created great optimism amongst the Titans’ fanbase for not necessarily this year, but the many years to come. You would be hard pressed to find a Titans fan who wouldn’t be pleased with a 5-9 win year in which Cam Ward demonstrates great potential. But what does TriZone TN think? In this article I’m going to be going through each game week by week and telling you my predicted result as well as a score. Here we go:

Week 1: @ Denver Broncos 3:05 PM Sunday, September 7

Prediction: TItans 20 Broncos 30 

Titans Record: 0-1

The Titans haven’t won a week 1 contest since 2020 when they won in Denver, ironically enough. But this is not 2020. The Titans are not as talented as they were 5 years ago and the Broncos are way more talented than they were 5 years ago. Don’t kid yourself though, winning in Denver is never easy, especially in week 1. Number 1 overall quarterbacks almost never win their first game, and it is not hard to see why. I believe Cam Ward is beyond pro-ready, but your first game is still a major shift from the collegiate level. On top of the first game disadvantages, Denver has one of if not the best secondary in the NFL and a top ten defense surrounding them. Not only will Cam be tested, but also all of our young skill position players. Hopefully veterans like Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Lockett can step up. The Broncos offense is by no means one of the top offenses Tennessee will see, but don’t let that deceive you, they have serious talent. Between Bo Nix, Cortland Sutton, and free agent acquisition J.K. Dobbins they aren’t no slouch. Beating a Sean Payton team is also never easy. My prediction is that the offense starts slow and picks up in the second half, but by that time it’s too late and Denver rings in 2025 with a home victory.

Week 2: vs Los Angeles Rams 12:00 PM Sunday, September 14.

Prediction: Rams 27 Titans 26

Titans Record: 0-2

The Titans get their home opener the very next week against one of the NFC’s favorites: the Los Angeles Rams. Titans fans will not only get to see the much awaited debut of one Cam Ward, but also a great opponent. The Ram’s young defensive line picked up right where Aaron Donald left off with Jared Verse and Byron Young leading the pack. They will give the Titans revamped offensive line a massive test. Beyond them, the Rams boast a very capable defense that will be another test for our offense. The Rams offense is possibly the main event however. They are led by veteran and legend Matthew Stafford. Additionally, they have Kyren Wiliams in the backfield with Puka Nacua and Davante leading possibly the best wide receiver core in the league. I believe in this contest Cam Ward will show very fast progression and feel for the game and lead the offense to a great effort. Don’t let the loss deter you from enthusiasm, this is a great team and my Super Bowl favorite. I believe our offense's performance will create great optimism and hope. On the other side of the ball, I believe our lack of edge depth will hurt our chances at forcing the Rams into uncomfortable situations which will ultimately cost us the game. All things considered, a good performance, but not enough. 

Week 3: vs Indianapolis Colts 12:00 PM Sunday, September 21

Prediction: Colts 19 Titans 23

Titans Record: 1-2

Here is the first divisional game! The Titans get to start their divisional games at home in possibly their biggest rivalry. The Colts are actively in a Training Camp quarterback battle between 3rd year player and former 4th overall pick Anthony Richardson and veteran Daniel Jones who was signed from the Giants. Remember Titans’ fans, it can always be worse! We don’t truly know who will get the nod in this game, but I predict Richardson will get the start in Week 1 due to the upside the Colts believe he has. However, I believe during this game he will prove why he’s not a NFL quarterback and Jones will come in. Beyond the quarterbacks the Colts have had one of the more consistent talent groups all around the last few years which has been held back by poor quarterback play. Their offense is led by running back Jonathan Taylor and the always quality o-line, but is all around solid. In the receiving room they have Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and Josh Downs, and rookie 1st round pick Tyler Warren, tight end from Penn State. Their defense is an average, but still solid unit as well. I predict in this game the Titans will get out all of their anger from the previous two close Ls and show some serious grit. As previously mentioned, a Anthony Richardson poor performance which leads to a benching will pay dividends for their victory chances. Ultimately I believe Cam Ward, Tony Pollard, and the offense does just enough to get the first Titan’s W of 2025.

Week 4: @ Houston Texans 12:00 PM Sunday, September 28

Prediction: Titans 17 Texans 25

Titans Record: 1-3

The very next week the Titans get their second divisional opponent this time on the road and vs Houston. Last year the 2-8 Titans stole a victory in Houston which was their biggest win of the year. This year the Texans will be sure to want to correct that, as well as win the necessary division games on their quest to three-peat the division. The Texans did their best to reload this offseason, but still lost some key players like Stefon Diggs and Laremy Tunsil. Additionally, they will be without young standout wide receiver Tank Dell who experienced a brutal leg injury late in the season. Going into this year their defense will be the same formidable unit we have seen in year’s past with the front 7 being one of the scariest in the league. On the other hand, the offense will not. C.J. Stroud demonstrated a sophomore slump last year that I believe he will bounce back from, but he will never reach the player they once thought he was going to be after his rookie campaign. Although Nico Collins is one of the best receivers in this league, he is not enough to save their awful offensive line. Sadly, I don’t think these woes will be enough for the Titans to overcome this defense. I believe Ward and the receivers will admittedly struggle to make plays vs this defense as well as the rushing attack being stifled. If I had more confidence in the Titans pass rush off the edge I could see us potentially stealing a game on the road, but I don’t believe we have a capable enough edge group to capitalize off sub par tackles which will result in a game that is neck and neck until Houston pulls away late.

Week 5: @ Cardinals 3:05 PM Sunday, October 5

My Prediction: Titans 20 Cardinals 33

Titans Record: 1-4

Tennessee continues their road trip this time venturing all the way to Phoenix for the first time since 2017. The Cardinals are my biggest sleeper team heading into 2025 with a unit I believe will shock many people. I believe they addressed the defense very nicely in the offseason which will set them up to contend. Kyler Murray will finally see a good skill position group around him with young players like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride only getting better and veterans like James Conner continuing to contribute. Quarterbacks like Kyler Murray are a bad matchup for Tennessee’s defense, an admittedly weak linebacker and edge group, which will result in the Arizona offense flourishing. I believe the long trip will show in the offense and Ward could struggle. This season it is imperative Ridley plays well in every game we play due to an unproven group around him and in this game I might not. In the end I think we will never really feel in this game which will leave many fans unsatisfied and disappointed in the teams first 5 games. Brian Callahan will be under fire from the whole NFL world and in desperate need of a W.

Week 6: @ Raiders 3:05 PM Sunday, October 12

My Prediction: Titans 30 Raiders 24

Titans Record: 2-4

The Titans finish their west coast trip in the deserts of Las Vegas, their first time visiting the city for a regular season game. The Raiders, like Arizona, are also one of my biggest sleeper squads and a team I believe will be knocking on the postseason door. They added quarterback Geno Smith via trade with Seattle as well as drafting standout running back and fellow Heisman finalist with Cam Ward Ashton Jeanty from Boise State 6th overall. Their defense, while not adding many players, will be much improved as they suffered from many injuries last season. Maxx Crosby and Chistian Wilkins on the line is a scary duo that will terrorize offenses all year. Despite all these things, I believe Tennessee will score the upset and make a statement. It being the third game in the road trip will hopefully mean they are fully adjusted and at 100%. Additionally, I believe Calvin Ridley will bounce back in a big way and not only provide production for himself, but open up lanes for Tyler Lockett and Elic Ayomanor. On defense, I see our ferocious d-line of Jeffrey Simmons, Sebastian Joseph-Day, and T’Vondre Sweat stopping any kind of Ashton Jeanty production, something I believe the Raiders will be reliant on. This will cause the Raiders to turn their focus into feeding second year tight end Brock Bowers which I believe our secondary honing in on. All in all, I think our offense will look the best it has looked all year with Ward tossing his career best up to this point 3 touchdown passes. 

Week 7: vs Patriots 12:00 PM Sunday October 19

My Prediction: Patriots 16 Titans 19 

Titans Record: 3-4

The Titans get their first game back home in 2 days shy of a month in a possibly their biggest game of the season. It is no secret why this a big contest, in the offseason the Patriots hired former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, who the Titans fired at the end of the 2023 season after his second consecutive under .500 campaign. In the moment and still to this day many people think we made a massive mistake in doing so. Vrabel was a long time Patriot and won three championships with the team. Even while he was Tennessee’s head coach, many people believed he was more interested in being Belichick's heir. Beyond the head coach, the Patriots are many people’s darling in 2025, but not mine. They are coming off a disastrous 4-13 campaign where one of their losses came to us. The hope associated with this team comes from the potential of 2024 third overall pick Drake Maye who showed flashes in his 2024 starts. In the offseason the Patriots added veteran receiver Stefon Diggs and Titans legend Harold Landry III. I am in the camp that believes Vrabel is a great head coach when he already has a capable roster, as he walked into a Titans team coming off a playoff victory. We saw when the roster got worse he struggled. I believe he will face great growing pains this year and Brian Callahan will deliver the win Titans’ fans want the most this year. I believe Tony Pollard will see possibly his best game and the Secondary will pick off Maye multiple times. This will get Tennessee their second consecutive win and the media will cool off on Callahan ever so slightly.

Week 8: @ Indianapolis Colts 3:25 PM October 26

Prediction: Titans 16 Colts 24

Titans Record: 3-5

The Titans immediately the road again after only one home game and this time we go to Indianapolis for a rematch with the Colts! By this point I believe Daniel Jones will have completely taken over and to Titans’ fans dismay, actually doing pretty well leading the unit. I see Jones being like a 2023 Joe Flacco or a 2024 Sam Darnold. I see the whole Colts team running together way more effectively and the team seeing much success. I see the Colts attacking the hashes with Jonathan Taylor and controlling the game. I believe the Titans offense will start slow which will lead to our demise and an eight point loss. 

Week 9: vs Los Angeles Chargers 12:00 PM Sunday, November 2

Prediction: Chargers 21 Titans 17

Titans Record: 3-6

The Titans kick off their November with a home clash against the Los Angeles Chargers. Besides last year when the Titans got boat raced in LA, these teams always provide a back and forth contest that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The Chargers are bringing back largely the same supporting cast this season on the offensive side of the ball everywhere but at running back. They let 1 year standout J.K. Dobbins walk, but signed Steelers running back Najee Harris, who is very consistent, and drafted media darling running back Omarion Hampton from North Carolina in the first round. At receiver Ladd Mcconkey is only going to get better in his sophomore year, but other than that, they don’t have the most impressive group catching passes from Justin Herbert. This has never deterred Herbert however from having great seasons and willing his team to victory. The defense was very strong last year, but they did lose the aging, but still effective Joey Bosa off the edge. I believe Jim Harbaugh will make sure this team is just as good as last year, but beyond that, I don’t think they will get much better. Their division has only gotten better around them and the same quality squad from last year might not be as capable this season. I still think Herbert’s playmaking and Harbaugh’s experience will get them a playoff berth however. I see Cam Ward facing one of his toughest defenses in this game and it showing. Last year we never got anything going on the ground against the Chargers and I see a similar thing happening here. This game will be on the shoulders of the receiving core and I just think this is one of those games they can’t do enough. On the other hand, I see our defense playing a great game and holding the Chargers to only 21. Ultimately, the offensive woes prove too much and we fall in a frustrating home game.