NFL Power Rankings Roundup: How the Tennessee Titans fare in Week 8
· Yahoo Sports
The Tennessee Titans still haven't strung together back-to-back wins since 2022. They came close against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, but ultimately fell short at the end of the game.
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The Titans' struggles, while seemingly ironing themselves out, are still readily present in every game. The protection for Cam Ward has improved, which is also evidenced by the improvement in the running game, but Ward still looks shaky in the pocket at times and unsure of the decisions he's making.
There are definitely times when Ward knows exactly what he is doing and where he is going with the ball. How he throws the ball in those instances is very different than when he doesn't fully trust himself, and the impact on the receivers is evident. When he's sure, the ball lands exactly where it's supposed to, and the receiver has an easier time bringing the ball in. When he's unsure, the receiver generally has to do some kind of acrobatic move to make the catch, and it doesn't always work.
Next week, the Titans face their third AFC North opponent in the Cincinnati Bengals. Tennessee will have a chance at finally defeating a team in this division after falling to both the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens.
As we enter Week 8, here's a look at where the Titans stand in a multitude of power rankings.
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 30 (29)
They haven't won consecutive games in a season since 2022. Enough said.
Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: 31 (30)
The Titans are not a good team, but the hope lies in them turning around their luck in close games. Three times in the final minute they've had a chance to win, but against the Eagles and Browns they gave up drives to lose in the final seconds, and against the Giants they threw an interception into the end zone. Tennessee isn't good enough to finish those games, but at least there's some reason to believe they're not as far off as their record indicates.
Titans head coach Robert Saleh went out of his way to defend Cam Ward after the last-second loss to the Browns. Ward had 181 yards and an interception for a 66.7 passer rating.
"You can't possibly watch that film and say Cam Ward did not play good, winning football. You can't," Saleh said, via the team's site. "Now there's things you have to fix, but if anyone is trying to pin this loss on him you are just trying to make s*** up."
Ralph Vacchiano, FOX Sports: 29 (31)
Super Bowl odds: +100000(tied for last)
The Titans don’t really deserve to move up as much as a few other teams deserved to move down. But give them this: They almost took down the upstart Browns. They even showed some signs of offensive life — or at least RB Tony Pollard (129 yards, 3 touchdowns) did. Their defense was a disaster and they let Deshaun Watson have his first 300-yard passing day in five years. They’re also 1-6, so yeah, they should be lower. Don’t worry. After they lose to the Bengals this Sunday, they’ll probably slide back down before heading into their bye week.
Next game: @ Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Stat To Know: Averaging 168.4 passing yards per game through Week 7, Cam Ward is on pace for the fewest passing yards per game by a quarterback to start every game in the last 20 seasons.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 31 (30)
They just don't do enough in the passing game to win games. Cam Ward has to put up better numbers going forward.
Connor Orr, Sports Illustrated: 30 (29)
Last week’s ranking: No. 29Last week’s result: lost to Browns, 27–24This week: at Bengals
The Titans lost to the Browns despite more than 120 rushing yards and three touchdowns from Tony Pollard. While I’ve been steadfast in my take that Jeffrey Simmons should not be for sale at the trade deadline, most anyone else can go.
Chad Graff and Josh Kendall, The Athletic: 31 (29)
Sunday: Lost to Browns 27-24
Something spooky: Cam Ward’s play
Among quarterbacks with at least 150 snaps this season, only Justin Herbert has a worse EPA per play than Ward. In that sense, maybe it’s fitting that there’s only one team behind Ward and the Titans in our power rankings.
Up next: at Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
theScore: 29 (28)
Previous rank: 28
Cam Ward has thrown an interception in five straight games and appears to be going backward in his development. In fact, the 2025 No. 1 pick is on pace to throw just 10 touchdowns this season. Ward's completion rate (62%) is up a smidge from his rookie year, but the rest of his numbers are down despite the Titans' significant offseason investment in the group around him.
Bleacher Report: 31 (30)
Last Week: 30
Week 7 Result: Lost vs. Cleveland 27-24
There are no moral victories in the NFL. The Tennessee Titans are no doubt kicking themselves after Sunday's last-second loss to Cleveland—especially given that the team was up 14-0 and one yard from going up 21-7.
But not that long ago the Titans weren't even that competitive. There are bright spots for the team. Running back Tony Pollard had his best game of the season, rushing for 129 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie receiver Carnell Tate remained a focal point in the passing game, catching five passes for 69 yards.
On the flip side, though, Cam Ward continues to be inconsistent (at best) throwing the football, and both Ward and Tate turned the ball over.
The Titans appear headed toward a top-five pick in next year's draft—and a decision.
Is Ward the guy? Or do the Titans need to draft a quarterback two years after taking him No. 1 overall?
Walter Football: 30 (NC)
The Titans are now 12-30 against the spread since firing Mike Vrabel. They beat the Colts, but needed a comedy of errors from Daniel Jones and Indianapolis' special teams to get the win. There won't be many other victories this year, though they had a chance to defeat the equally crappy Browns.
NFL Nation, ESPN: 31 (NC)
Week 7 result: Lost to the Browns 27-24Week 7 ranking: 30
Best offseason addition: WR Carnell Tate
Tate has quickly taken over as the Titans' No. 1 receiver, leading them in targets (51), receptions (34) and receiving yards (413). The Titans originally had Tate working as an X receiver, but he recently started to move across the formation to create favorable matchups. He has drawn praise for how quickly he learned the playbook from all three receiver positions. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said Tate has been even-keeled despite the highs and lows of the team's season.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: NFL Power Rankings Roundup: How the Tennessee Titans fare in Week 8