The 2019 Tennessee Titans’ journey to the playoffs wasn’t a story of incremental success, nor was it one of cautious optimism. It was a tale of raw, relentless football—of a team that found its heart in the unlikeliest of places. The season was defined not just by the surprising triumphs on the field but by the broader narrative of rebirth and defiance, especially at the quarterback position. When the Titans entered the 2019 NFL season, expectations were low. They were seen as a team that could surprise a few people but ultimately would be a fringe contender in the crowded AFC. By the end of the season, they had not only snatched a wildcard playoff spot but had bulldozed their way through the league with a physicality that shook opponents to their core. More than anything, the story of their success was defined by the unlikely hero who stood under center: Ryan Tannehill.
The Titans’ 2019 campaign started in typical fashion—imperfectly. Under the guidance of head coach Mike Vrabel, the team entered the season with a clear identity: tough, physical, and committed to running the football. The Titans’ offense was built around a punishing ground game led by Derrick Henry, whose combination of size, speed, and power made him a unique force in the NFL. Yet, as the season progressed, the Titans’ offense struggled to maintain consistency, particularly in the passing game. Quarterback Marcus Mariota, the franchise’s long-time signal caller, had shown flashes of potential since being drafted second overall in 2015 but had never quite lived up to the lofty expectations that came with such a high draft pick. His inconsistency was a major issue, and the Titans’ offense sputtered as a result.
It was during a midseason game against the Denver Broncos in Week 6 that the Titans’ season began to take a drastic turn. Mariota had a lackluster performance, and Vrabel made a bold decision: he pulled Mariota in favor of Ryan Tannehill, a veteran quarterback who had been acquired in the offseason as a backup. It was a move that seemed to signal a new direction for the team, and few could have predicted what would follow.
Tannehill, who had spent the previous seven seasons with the Miami Dolphins, had largely been considered a quarterback with untapped potential—someone who had never been able to find sustained success in Miami despite his ability. In Tennessee, he was given a fresh start, but it was unclear whether he could handle the pressure and expectations of leading a playoff-bound team. Yet, from the moment he took the field, Tannehill looked like a different player. His accuracy, decision-making, and confidence were evident, and it wasn’t long before the Titans began to see results.
Tannehill’s impact on the offense was immediate and transformative. The Titans’ passing game, which had been inefficient and erratic with Mariota under center, became more explosive and effective. Tannehill’s ability to connect with wide receivers like A.J. Brown and Corey Davis gave the Titans’ offense a dynamic edge it had been lacking. Tannehill’s efficiency as a passer was astounding; he finished the season with a career-high passer rating and threw for over 2,700 yards and 22 touchdowns against just six interceptions in 12 games. His newfound success, however, was not just about his own performance—it was about how he complemented the running game.
Derrick Henry, who had been a star for the Titans in 2018, took his game to another level in 2019, and the tandem of Tannehill and Henry made the Titans’ offense nearly unstoppable. Henry’s physical running style wore down defenses, and with Tannehill’s ability to throw the ball efficiently, opposing teams were forced to respect both the ground and air attacks. Henry finished the regular season with an astounding 1,540 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, and he would go on to earn the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award. His dominant performance culminated in a historic stretch in which he became the first player in NFL history to rush for over 180 yards in three consecutive games.
Tannehill’s revival and Henry’s dominance in the running game made the Titans’ offense a juggernaut that few teams could contain. However, it was the defense that completed the team’s blueprint for success. Led by defensive coordinator Dean Pees, the Titans’ defense was opportunistic, aggressive, and capable of stepping up in big moments. Defensive stars like linebacker Jayon Brown and pass rusher Harold Landry played key roles in making the Titans one of the more dangerous defensive units in the league. The Titans’ defense was not always dominant in terms of total yardage allowed, but they were exceptional at creating turnovers and getting off the field in critical situations.
It wasn’t long before the Titans’ playoff hopes began to take shape. After a midseason loss to the Houston Texans in Week 15, Tennessee had to win their final two games of the regular season to secure a playoff berth. In Week 17, with everything on the line, the Titans went into Houston and defeated the Texans in a game that was both physical and dramatic. The win pushed the Titans to 9-7 on the season, earning them a wildcard spot in the playoffs. The narrative of the Titans, as a team that had defied the odds to make it to the postseason, was starting to take hold.
As the playoffs began, few expected the Titans to make much noise. They were a wildcard team, and their opponent in the first round was the heavily favored New England Patriots, who had won the AFC East for the 11th consecutive year and were led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. The Patriots were a juggernaut, but the Titans were undeterred. They arrived in Foxborough with a game plan that was simple yet effective: pound the football with Derrick Henry, control the clock, and keep the pressure on Brady.
The game, played on January 4, 2020, became an instant classic. The Titans’ offense, led by Tannehill and Henry, was methodical and efficient, controlling the ball and draining the clock. Henry was dominant, rushing for 182 yards and a touchdown, while Tannehill’s play-action passes helped open up the passing game. The Titans’ defense, meanwhile, stepped up in key moments, limiting Brady’s opportunities to mount a comeback. In the end, the Titans shocked the football world with a 20-13 victory, knocking the Patriots out of the playoffs and advancing to the AFC Divisional Round.
With the Patriots eliminated, the Titans’ playoff run continued in Baltimore, where they faced the top-seeded Ravens. The Ravens, led by MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, had been the best team in the NFL during the regular season and were heavy favorites to advance to the AFC Championship. However, the Titans again defied expectations. They executed the same formula: Henry ran wild, finishing with 195 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Tannehill made key throws to keep the defense honest. The Titans’ defense, which had been maligned throughout the season, once again stepped up when it mattered most, intercepting Jackson and stifling the Ravens’ high-powered offense. The Titans’ 28-12 victory was a statement of their grit, resilience, and determination, and it sent them to the AFC Championship for the first time since the 2002 season.
In the AFC Championship, the Titans faced the Kansas City Chiefs, who had their own high-powered offense led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The game was an intense battle, but the Chiefs ultimately came out on top, winning 35-24. Despite their loss, the Titans’ playoff run was nothing short of magical. They had been counted out at the start of the season, yet they had defeated some of the league’s elite teams on the road and had made it all the way to the brink of the Super Bowl. Ryan Tannehill’s transformation from a question mark to a playoff hero was one of the most remarkable stories of the 2019 NFL season, and Derrick Henry’s monstrous performances will be remembered for years to come.
The 2019 Tennessee Titans weren’t just a team that made the playoffs—they were a testament to the power of belief, resilience, and redemption. They proved that a team with the right blend of talent, toughness, and a little bit of magic could defy the odds and make a deep playoff run. The story of their fearless football and unexpected revival at quarterback was a story that no one saw coming, but it was one that everyone would remember.
