Titans no longer lock for AFC South title

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) exits the field due to an injury during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Snakebitten Titans no longer lock for AFC South crown

By Cory Woodroof | Last updated 12/19/22

For a while there, it looked like the Tennessee Titans would be able to lock up yet another AFC South title.

However, injuries have put the Titans in a position to cede their division lead to the red-hot Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jaguars, who are a game game behind the Titans in the AFC South, now have a 42% chance to win the division according to ESPN analytics. It was 8% after losing to the Lions on Dec. 4.
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) December 19, 2022

Tennessee got strangled by the injury bug during the team's 17-14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

List of players hurt during Chargers game:

QB Ryan Tannehill
ILB Dylan Cole
CB Terrance Mitchell
OL Dillon Radunz
S Andrew Adams
DB Josh Thompson
G Nate Davis
ILB Jack Gibbens

Aliens have been explained easier than the #Titans injury problem, who lead NFL in players used
— Wes on Broadway (@TitansStats) December 19, 2022

While Tannehill was able to return to the game after being carted off, the Titans took the loss harder than they might've if they had just lost.

The team was already missing wide receiver Treylon Burks, cornerbacks Kristian Fulton and Tre Avery, safety Amani Hooker, nose tackle Teair Tart and defensive lineman Denico Autry before the latest spray of injuries hit.

If the Titans can't withstand this wave of bad luck and the Jaguars keep winning, the team's game at Jacksonville on Jan. 8 might determine the fate of the AFC South. The loser might get sent home.

For Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, the team has to stay focused on a short week with a pivotal division matchup with the Houston Texans on the slate for Christmas Eve.

Mike Vrabel on how the #Titans rally with injuries adding up and execution issues and their lead in the division now down to 1 with 3 to play: pic.twitter.com/Dd22N6K2zd
— Teresa Walker (@TeresaMWalker) December 19, 2022

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