NASHVILLE – On to Baltimore.
After taking care of business on Saturday against the Patriots, the Titans are moving on to face the Ravens in the divisional round this weekend.
It should be another fun week before the trip to Baltimore.
Let's discuss…
Nick Katenkamp from Baltimore, Maryland
Question: As a life-long Titans fan growing up in Baltimore I am thrilled to be able to see the Titans for the first time ever in person. When I was a child, the 2008 Titans team put up a clunker against a rookie Joe Flacco and lost though they were the clearly better team. At that time it crushed me. A little bit before my time, the Titans, also the 1 seed lost to the wildcard Ravens in 2000. Baltimore fans are very confident and dismissing the Titans all together and looking forward to next week. What can the Titans do to avenge the former playoff disappointments in the past and pull out the upset?
Jim: Hey Nick. Those games are definitely painful memories for Titans fans. Both were gut-punch losses. In my opinion, the 2000 team was the best Titans team of them all, and I had a feeling the winner of that Titans-Ravens game would win the Super Bowl. The Ravens ended up doing so a few weeks later after that win in Nashville. There was a good playoff memory against the Ravens during the 2003 season, when Eddie George ran through Ray Lewis and Gary Anderson kicked the game-winning field goal. The Titans can win on Saturday, but they'll need to play well in all three phases.
Eli Decko from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Question: How about them Titans! Dethroners of the Dynasty right there! I wonder if the fan who was trolling our players in your video had any thoughts about us after the game? Did he realize the Texans smashed the Patriots too? Lol. Anyways. Happy Birthday Derrick Henry! We should schedule him a birthday next week as well, or maybe it can be Tannehill's birthday lol. Great effort in that game. Kenny Vaccaro was unbelievable as was Adoree Jackson. So good to have him back. If we hit Lamar Jackson every single play and stuff the run we will win next week at Baltimore. How is Jayon Brown doing? I hope he's ok. Here are go!
Jim: Hey Eli. Like the enthusiasm, as always. Rashaan Evans deserves some props, too. He played especially well. As for Jayon, his shoulder is sore, and his status forward is very much TBD. The practice week starts on Tuesday, and we'll begin to get some clues then. Stay tuned.
Cedric Williams from Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia
Question: Hey Jim thanks for manning the helm though stormy waters down and up of the season. I would like to thank Titans organization coach staff ability to make halftime adjustment mentality try new scheme. I hope Titans fans don't take for granted the performance Derrick Henry is having my opinion he should be in the conversation for MVP he has warrior spirit Titans legend still young has the 🔥 to get it done.
Jim: Hey Cedric. It's been a fun season. And believe me, no one is taking Derrick Henry for granted. The guy has been phenomenal all season, and he's ready for more. The Ravens have a stout run defense that's ranked fifth in the league in rushing yards allowed. But consider not a lot of teams have run the ball against them in the second half of games since the Ravens had big leads a lot of Sundays. Baltimore is ranked 21st overall in rushing average (per carry), allowing 4.4 yards a carry, so it can be done.
Ryan Estep from Columbia, South Carolina
Question: Jim, just got my tickets for Saturday! Going to make the trip from South Carolina to Baltimore early Saturday morning. When I get there where should I plan on going to be around the most possible Titans fans before the game?
Jim: Hey Ryan. I usually hear about gatherings during the week, leading up to the game. Make sure you follow me on Twitter (@jwyattsports) and I'll pass along if I hear anything. In the meantime, the tailgate info is below...
Gordie Saye from LaPine, Oregon
Question: Hey Jim, closet Oiler/Titan fan. I'm a huge fan of Marcus and was disappointed he didn't show better this year. Having watched him from his first spring game at Oregon to this season, something just didn't seem right with him. While I have been a life-long 49ers fan I have always watched with interest the Oilers/Titans from the 60's, on especially the last five years. I see great potential for this team and thank them for beating the Patriots last night thus guaranteeing new blood in the Super Bowl. Maybe my 49er's and the Titans, that would be a fun game to watch. Happy New Year.
Jim: Appreciate it, Gordie. Hey, I think a lot of folks would love to see that, but the Titans have a lot of work to do to get there. (And so do the 49ers).
Bud Stein from Jacksonville, Florida
Question: HI JIM BUD IN JAX AGAIN WHETHER I MAKE THE MAILBAG OR NOT WANT TO BE HEARD FIRST CONGRATS TO THE TITANS ON A GREAT WILDCARD WIN WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS I FEEL THE TITANS WERE DISRESPECTED BY ALMOST ALL SPORTS MEDIA PERSONS ON ALMOST ALL SPORTS NETWORKS CBS PREGAME PANEL ESPN NFL NETWORK ETC WHO ALMOST ALL PICKED THE PATRIOTS SAYING THE TITANS VERTUALLY HAD NO CHANCE AFTER THE GAME AND EVEN SUNDAY MORN AGAIN IT WAS LIKE YEAH THE TITANS WON MOVING FORWARD IT WAS ALL ABOUT TOM BRADY RETIRING ETC. THEN ALMOST RIGHT AWAY THOSE SAME SPORTSCASTERS NO WAY THE TITANS CAN BEAT THE RAVENS. NO ONE EVEN HINTING THEY MAD THE WRONG PICK ON THE PATRIOTS DOESNT ANYONE ADNIT THEY WERE WRONG IN TODAYS WORLD OR ARE SPORTSCASTERS EXEMPT FROM ADMITTING THEY WERE WRONG????
Jim: HEY BUD. YOU MADE IT!
Dmitry Krader from Irvine, California
Question: Hi Jim! What a game! Beating the GOATs at their own house! First if I wanted to thank you for all your hard work keeping us fans engaged. My question is: How has JRob have not signed Derick Henry to a new contract yet? Especially after a game he just had? It would be the biggest mistake of his career not to sign Henry, in my opinion, your thoughts?
Jim: Hey Dmitry. Appreciate it. A lot of guys are scheduled to become free agents in March, from Derrick Henry to Ryan Tannehill to Logan Ryan, etc. A lot of teams, including the Titans, aren't big on doing contract negotiations with players in season. It's a distraction. And what happens if the team works out a contract for Player A, and that makes Player B or Player C thinking, why not me? It's not ideal when the focus should be on football, especially in the playoffs. There will be plenty of time to talk contracts when the season ends. And there are different options on ways to keep players, too, from long-term deals to franchise tags.
Ronnie Chunn from Culleoka, Tennessee
Question: Jim, What a great win against the Patriots! I hear now Tom won't retire because the Titans beat him. Anyway my question is , I've seen a lot of players applying the dark shade stuff under one eye and not the other. Most of which are crosses. Why only under one?
Jim: Not sure what Brady is going to do. I don't think his plan was ever to retire, though. As for the crosses, I'd say in most case there's a message or meaning behind it more than to help with the sun/light.
Reuben Alvear from San Francisco, California
Question: I am stoked for the guys. Before the game I told my peers that the Titans could win if they played their game and consistently executed. People wondered how the Titans would run the ball v New England. I wonder if those same persons noticed that in the season's 2nd half the Titans ran the ball well v IND and NO, who were both Top 10 run defenses at the time Tennessee played them. I was annoyed before the game, and eager for the contest to start, because of the Titans not getting any respect from certain people in the media. One analyst exclaimed "There's NO WAY Belichick, Brady and McDaniel lose this game to Vrabel, Tannehill and Arthur Smith." Well, that's exactly why the game is played on the field ;-) And "Kudos" to Arthur Smith for not panicking when the Titans got behind, and sticking with the run game!!!
Jim: Hey Reuben. It was a great win, regardless of how it was framed from a media/national standpoint. Either way, the Titans are playing this weekend, and the Patriots have packed their bags and gone their separate ways.
Sonny Kuhn from Baltimore, Maryland
Question: My question is if your offense can only score 14 against the Patriots how will you keep up with a high-flying Ravens offense? Lamar is a gifted athlete and my score is 34-10 Ravens of course.
Jim: Hey Sonny. Appreciate you stopping by. Not going to argue with you about how good Lamar Jackson is and how good Baltimore's offense is because I've been impressed like everyone else. Lamar is fun to watch, and he is gifted. But your Ravens haven't been invincible – they took an L to the Chiefs, and the Browns. And the Titans beat them both. See ya in Baltimore on Saturday night. The last time I was there for a playoff game, the Ravens took an L then, too.
Steve Creekmore from Orlando, Florida
Question: Hey Jim, What a win! Like so many, I was floored by the goal line play of Rashaan Evans. I actually have a two-part question: Were you surprised the Pats ran left three straight times on that series, and was Evans' incredible goal line play the result of great film work, instinct, amazing athleticism, or a combination of all of the above? Thanks Jim, and Go Titans!
Jim: Hey Steve. First off, I was surprised they ran it three straight times. And you're right on singling out Evans – he made two really nice plays on that goal-line stand. But a few other guys deserve props, too – DaQuan Jones made a heck of a play to get one stop, and fellow defensive lineman Jefferey Simmons blew up the third down play that allowed Evans to get a tackle. I'd say it was a combination of a lot of things.
Mike Temple from Birmingham, Alabama
Question: A great TEAM victory against the 12-4 Pats - powerful ground attack tough defense, strong special teams play, and great coaching! Looking ahead to the Ravens, my question is if Jayon Brown is unable to play do we have any practice squad players who can step in and help us contain their vaunted running game? Thanks for your thoughts Jim and Titan-up!
Jim: Hey Mike. Well, David Long Jr. stepped in there for Brown on Saturday night, and so did Wesley Woodyard. I would anticipate those players being in the mix as well. Nigel Harris is currently the only linebacker on the practice squad and his role has been on special teams when he's been active.
Doug Wiggins Kettering, Ohio
Question: I wrote in after the loss to the Texans that the Titans could not win a vital game. I apologize for that statement, what a great job the last two weeks coming through big time!
Jim: Way to own it, Doug.
Jacob Uncapher from Irwin, Pennsylvania
Question: Not a question but this is coming from a die-hard Steelers fan. I just wanted to congratulate the head coach and the players on their defeat of the patriots. Great game, and I hope this team continues to do great things.
Jim: Oh man, you know you've done something big when fans of the team you knocked out of the playoffs are congratulating you on a win. Titans and Steelers fans unite. Thanks, Jacob.
Aaron Krepel from Wanaque, New Jersey
Question: Hey Jim. Great result on Saturday night, made the journey home well worth it! Let's hope we can keep it rolling in to this week. My question is this...As a team that has won 6 Super Bowls in 18 years, and really been THE dynasty of the 21st century, do you think Patriot fans have the right to be upset after this season? I stood there Saturday as an isolated Titan, proudly flying the flag for my team as a fan. I wouldn't have thrown my hat on the ground if we'd lost and shouted abuse at the players, yet 6 rings later and the Patriots feel they have grounds to protest. Bill Belicheck was asked after the game if he had a message for the Patriots fan that have been there through "thick and thin" and rightly answered, "I wouldn't say it's been all that thin around here." 31 teams fans have had to sit there and watch this team dominate for 20 years and now they want to sulk because they've been beat by a team they don't deem worthy of the playoffs. On the plus side, it was great to meet so many great Titans fans in New England. Thanks Jim.
Jim: Hey Aaron. Bet it was worth the trip! I'm not going to speak for Patriots fans, but if they're throwing hats and griping like you say, then they're obviously pretty spoiled.
Rob Cuellar from Laredo, Texas
Question: Hi Jim, what a game!! Awesome execution and it seemed so coincidental that New England weather had Thunderstorm "Henry". Well, they sure did the Thunderstorm that struck the Patriots was Derrick Henry himself! Awesome job Derrick! What a great birthday gift— winning and ending a dynasty. Though I know many still don't respect the Titans I am hoping that this will have given them the respect they need. I hope that the Titans use not only Derrick Henry but also more Marcus Mariota who seems to be our "Lamar Jackson". Wouldn't that be 👍🏻 nice. Along with that having the formation of Jonnu Smith as a running back and pull all the stunts. Even the "statue of liberty" and other trick plays… I'm so elated for next Saturday and I even got my daughter who attends. UT Austin says that game was more exciting than the UT game she attended.Titan Up!!! Go Titans! If win 2 more games , Super Bowl Bound— maybe the Titans will start a new dynasty era; maybe they are this year's Cinderella team!! Take care Jim! Stay blessed.
Jim: Appreciate you taking the time, Rob.
Matthew Gross from Tinton Falls, New Jersey
Question: Hello Jim, just wanted to let y'all know Titans Nation Jersey Chapter was strong up in Foxborough, and will be in Baltimore. Wanted to know what parking lot Titans Nation will be settling in so we can band together in Maryland, crab cakes and football, that's what Maryland does, need to be united to show support for the boys. Hope you can help. Thank you for your time.
Jim: Hey Matthew. Scroll back to the top ICYMI. It was a great turnout from Titans fans in Foxborough, and I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of Titans fans in Baltimore, too.
Henry Martin from Jacksonville, Tennessee
Question: Hello Jim from Jacksonville, FL. As always, I love reading your post and keeping us REAL FANS updated with the latest news on our beloved TITANS! On a further note, I am a bit upset because of the lack of respect and credit we have been given for the upset that happened on Sunday. Nobody expected us to be in the playoffs and a lot expected the Patriots to beat us in Foxboro. When the Patriots beat us in our last playoff appearance it was all about the Patriots, now that they lost its still all about the Patriots and everyone feels sorry about the team and Tom Brady's future. I understand, it's the Patriots, it's Tom Brady........their season is OVER though!!! What about us??? We ended a Dynasty!!! That's okay though, I love our approach, don't buy into all the hype, it does not get any easier from here. If we continue to play our game and clean up some things we will be alright. Tough challenge ahead of us Saturday night. I know everyone is thinking about last year's game and how it ended, I know I am. I believe we are a lot better team than that and hope are boys come out to play some ball!!! Lets GO!!! #TITANUP
Jim: Hey Henry. I hear ya, but the best way for the Titans to get some attention is by continuing to win. No one will be satisfied with a one-and-done in the playoffs. The goal heading in wasn't just to beat the Patriots. So it's on to the Ravens.
Have a great week everyone!
