Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Post-Super Bowl 53 wrap-up for 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 2: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans watches his team warm up before playing the New York Jets at Nissan Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 2: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans watches his team warm up before playing the New York Jets at Nissan Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

. 9-7 record. . Tennessee Titans. 14. team. 35

Ah, yes. Another one of those “good” teams in our NFL power rankings. Not great, just good.

That’s essentially what the non-playoff Tennessee Titans were in 2018 under then first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, who is at least showing he’s the right person for the job.

Vrabel turned around Tennessee’s defense, which eventually finished third best in points allowed last season. That’s going to be vital, if it continues, when factoring in playing both the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts twice a year. And one could make the argument the Titans have the best core, defensively, out of all four teams within the AFC South.

At least the fewest questions, perhaps.

But Tennessee still needs plenty of offensive help. Wide receiver Corey Davis isn’t emerging as a true No. 1 threat, and tight end Delanie Walker is coming off a serious season-ending injury. He’s aging, too, and the Titans would be more than wise to provide as many offensive weapons to help out quarterback Marcus Mariota, whose prime years are being wasted without bona fide playmakers.