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NASHVILLE, Tenn. —** Here's a look at six things standing out for Titans coming off the bye weekend, and heading into Sunday's game vs the Baltimore Ravens:
Tough defenses
The Titans offense won't face any defensive cupcakes on the horizon -- the Ravens (10th), Bengals (9th) and Steelers (4th) are all ranked in the top 10 in the NFL. The road has been tough so far as well. Through Week 7, the Titans faced five top 11 defenses (Cleveland, Jacksonville, Seattle, Miami, Houston), and two bottom 10 defenses (Indianapolis, Oakland). In 2016, the Titans faced just two top 10 defenses (as ranked through 7 weeks of the season, Minnesota and Houston) in their first seven games.
AFC South wide open
The Titans (and Jaguars) had the weekend off, but it turned into a weekend of favorable results in the AFC South. The Texans and Colts both lost, so after Week 8, the AFC South standings look like this: 1, Titans (4-3); 2, Jaguars (4-3); 3, Texans (3-4); and 4, Colts (2-6). (The Titans currently hold the tiebreaker as a result of the win in Jacksonville). The division is there for the taking. The Titans were 3-4 after seven games last season.
Red zone, 3rd down need improvement
One of the most popular questions I get asked is: What do the Titans need to improve most if they're going to get hot? For starters, the Titans are going to have to step it up in the red zone, where the team is 31st in the NFL, ahead of only the Cardinals. 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. And those slow starts are getting old, too – the Titans have been outscored 37-19 in the first quarter of their first seven games.
Improved health
The biggest key to success on the offensive side of the ball, of course, hinges on the guy holding the car keys – quarterback Marcus Mariota. Without question, the bye week helped Mariota, who wasn't himself in October because of his hamstring injury. Mariota missed the entire second half vs Houston after first suffering the injury, as well as the October 8 game at Miami. He was limited in wins against the Colts and Browns. Mariota should be able to move around more in the coming weeks as he continues to improve. Getting receiver Corey Davis back will be big for the offense, too.
Special teams
The kicking game has been outstanding. Kicker Ryan Succop has made 20-of-22 field goals, and he earned Special Teams Player of the Month for September. Punter Brett Kern is averaging 51.5 yards per punt, with a 46.5 net. He's ranked No.1 in the NFL in both categories. The Titans are ranked 8th in punt return average, but just 24th on kick returns. One area that needs to improve -- kick coverage. The Titans are ranked 32nd in that category.
Kevin Byard is hot
Safety Kevin Byard heads into Week 9 on a roll. Byard is coming off a three-interception game against the Browns, and he has five takeaways in the team's last four games. Byard also had an interception at Houston and a fumble recovery at Miami. In the second half of the season, the Titans need to make more plays around him. The team is in the middle of the pack in the takeaway/giveaway department with a Net Differential of '0' – 10 takeaways and 10 giveaways.
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)
