NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans returned from the bye week on Monday, and coach Mike Mularkey pointed something out to his football team.
Eight weeks into the season, the Titans are tied atop the AFC South with the Jaguars – both teams are 4-3. The Texans (3-4) and Colts (2-6) are behind them.
With nine games remaining, the Titans control their own destiny. What's ahead – starting with Sunday's game vs the Ravens at Nissan Stadium – is all that matters.
"I just tell them that where we are at this point of the season, really (we) can't worry about what's happening elsewhere," Mularkey said. "No game (Sunday) affected where we are today and no game next week will affect where we are tomorrow or next week.
"It's what we do, it's all in our hands. It has nothing to do with anybody else. We've got to take care of our own selves and not rely on other people. That's important that they understand that, where we're at right now halfway through."
The Titans will need to make improvements, of course.
For starters, the Titans are going to have to make strides in the red zone, where the team is 31st in the NFL. The Titans have scored a TD just 41.2% of the time. The Titans also need to step it up on 3rd down, an area they're currently 27th in the NFL.
Getting receiver Corey Davis back, and a healthier Marcus Mariota, should help.
"Personally, I don't think we've scratched the surface," receiver Rishard Matthews said.
Mularkey said the Titans coaches did an "in-depth study" during the bye week on areas to improve on both sides of the ball.
"Really all three phases," Mularkey said, "(and we) found some things out, some we kind of had an idea, some we didn't. I think it'll help us in the second half."
"Obviously, we've got to get better down (in the red zone), there's no question about it. We saw some things down there that we need to get better at."
Defensively, the Titans have talked about wanting more sacks – the team has 11 so far this season, despite an increase in pressures from a year ago.
But tackling is also a big point of emphasis.
"What do we need to do?," linebacker Brian Orakpo said. "I think (defensive coordinator Dick) LeBeau said it: Tackle better. We have been doing a good job, but I think we can get better. We've had a lot of yards after contact I think we can clean up, finish up our plays on the quarterback, and finish up our sacks. … We just have to keep rolling and be more consistent week in and week out."
With nine games remaining, the Titans feel like they're in a good spot.
Now, it's time to generate momentum.
"I think they know where we are," Mularkey said. "I think they understand what we have to do. It's in our control what we do. Would we like to have a better record at this point? It is what it is. I think we've got a good group in that locker room that understand where we're at and we're going to try and keep it where we're at."
TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series against the Baltimore Ravens. (Photos, Donn Jones, AP)
Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens Game on September 16, 2005 in Nashville. TN.
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) celebrates with free safety Kevin Byard (31) after Byard made his second pass interception of the game against the Baltimore Ravens in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) catches a 16-yard touchdown pass ahead of Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr (24) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) looks to throw the ball against the Tennessee Titans during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 23-20. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 23-20. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) looks over the defense of the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 23-20. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 23-20. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) lines up against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 23-20. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Austin Howard (77) sets to block against the Tennessee Titans during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 23-20. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) slaps hands with fans after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 23-20. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) sets to block Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 23-20. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) catches an 11-yard touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
The Tennessee Titans defense brings down Baltimore Ravens running back Alex Collins (34) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 23-20. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 23-20. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) talks with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 23-20. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) gets past Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) as Henry scores a touchdown on a 1-yard run in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
