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Most of the divisional projections we’ve seen this year have the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts running neck-and-neck for the AFC South in 2021, with varying results for who will win it.
However, USA TODAY’s Nate Davis (sub required) sees things differently. He pegs the Titans finishing with a 12-5 record, three games better than the Colts at 9-8, and winning the division for the second straight season.
As far as playoff seeding is concerned, Tennessee lands in the No. 2 spot ahead of the Buffalo Bills (12-5, No. 3) and the Kansas City Chiefs (12- 5, No. 4), and at 13-4 the Cleveland Browns are Davis’ No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Here’s Davis’ take on the Titans specifically:
(2) Tennessee Titans (12-5):
With the exception of the Bucs, perhaps no team projects as a more prohibitive favorite to win its division. An offense upgraded by the acquisition of WR Julio Jones has understandably garnered the offseason attention, but a defense that will have to deal with the NFC West and its quarterbacks better step up after being less than lackluster last year. The Titans will face one 2020 playoff team over the season’s final eight weeks.
If Davis’ regular-season prediction comes to fruition, the Titans will secure their first back-to-back division crowns since joining the NFL in 1970.
Unfortunately, the fun stops there, as Davis sees the Titans getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Chargers. He also has the Bucs beating the Browns to win the Super Bowl.
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