AFC South power rankings: Jaguars improved but so did other teams

The Jaguars will have a hard time catching the Titans up.

Here’s another AFC South team that has improved in the last few weeks. Not long ago, the Tennessee Titans were 2-2. At the time, they couldn’t stop opposing teams from scoring and their offense had trouble moving the ball. Since then, they have gone on to win three straight games and look like a complete team.

The Titans’ defense has gotten better in recent weeks and currently ranks 16th in points scored. Outside linebacker Harold Landry is playing at a Pro Bowl level, logging 7.5 sacks and eight total tackles in seven games. Safety Kevin Byard is enjoying arguably his best season since 2017, the year he earned a First-Team All-Pro designation. The 2016 third-round pick has snagged three interceptions and has posted an outstanding Pro Football Focus of 90.6 in 2021.

The unit held Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs’ high-powered offense to just six points in Week 7. The Titans offense also did its part and, led by running Derrick Henry, they scored 27 points.

Speaking of Henry, he’s on pace to register 2,000-yard rushing seasons in back-to-back years, something no other running back has done in league history. That’s a feat worth recognizing even if you don’t like the Titans.

There’s no doubt Tennessee is the best team in the AFC South. Earlier this year, they looked like they would be one-and-done in the postseason but based on what they’ve done in recent weeks, they could make a deep playoff run.