What Is 2019 Tennessee Titans football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Tennessee Titans finished the regular season with a 9-7 record, won the AFC South, and advanced to the AFC Championship Game, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Led by quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year, the team made a surprising playoff run after replacing Marcus Mariota midseason.

Key Facts

Finished regular season with a 9-7 record and won the AFC South division
Advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 2002
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill posted a 101.9 passer rating after taking over as starter
Ran for 2,780 rushing yards, the most by any NFL team in 2019
Derrick Henry won the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award in 2020 for 2019 season performance

Overview

The 2019 Tennessee Titans season marked one of the most surprising and inspiring turnarounds in recent NFL history. After starting the season 2-4 and struggling offensively under quarterback Marcus Mariota, the team made a pivotal change by promoting Ryan Tannehill to starter in Week 7, sparking a dramatic improvement.

The Titans finished the regular season with a 9-7 record, clinching the AFC South title and securing a playoff berth. Their momentum carried into the postseason, where they defeated the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

Started 2-4 before Ryan Tannehill replaced Marcus Mariota as starting quarterback in Week 7, transforming the offense.
Won five straight games from Weeks 10 to 14, including victories over the Chiefs and Steelers, to take control of the division.
Derrick Henry rushed for 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns, leading the NFL in rushing and earning first-team All-Pro honors.
Advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2002 season, defeating two top-seeded teams on the road.
Defeated the New England Patriots 20-13 in the Wild Card round, ending Tom Brady’s 11-year playoff home winning streak.

How It Works

The Titans' success in 2019 was built on a dominant rushing attack, opportunistic defense, and strong leadership from new starter Ryan Tannehill. The team’s strategy centered on ball control, minimizing turnovers, and relying on Derrick Henry’s punishing runs to wear down opponents.

Rushing Attack: The Titans led the NFL with 2,780 rushing yards, averaging 173.8 yards per game, the highest in the league.
Playoff Momentum: Tennessee became the first team in NFL history to win two playoff games on the road by at least 10 points each.
Turnover Margin: The defense forced 27 takeaways during the regular season, ranking 7th in the league and fueling short fields.
Coaching Impact: Head coach Mike Vrabel’s aggressive play-calling and player development were key, especially in high-pressure situations.
Special Teams: Punter Brett Kern averaged 47.1 yards per punt, providing excellent field position and ranking among the league leaders.
Quarterback Efficiency: Ryan Tannehill threw for 3,819 yards and 33 touchdowns with just 7 interceptions, achieving a 101.9 passer rating.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2019 Titans compared favorably to recent playoff teams in key statistical categories, particularly in rushing and postseason performance.

Team	Record	Rushing Yards	Playoff Result	Key Player
2019 Tennessee Titans	9-7	2,780	AFC Championship	Derrick Henry
2018 Los Angeles Rams	13-3	1,774	Lost Super Bowl	Todd Gurley
2017 Philadelphia Eagles	13-3	2,229	Won Super Bowl	Carson Wentz
2016 Atlanta Falcons	11-5	1,897	Lost Super Bowl	Devonta Freeman
2015 Carolina Panthers	15-1	2,037	Lost Super Bowl	Cam Newton

The Titans’ 2019 campaign stands out for its underdog status and reliance on the run game, unlike the more pass-heavy teams around them. Despite a modest regular-season record, their playoff wins over New England and Baltimore showcased resilience and tactical excellence, proving that a strong ground game and timely defense could still succeed in the modern NFL.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Titans season redefined expectations for midseason quarterback changes and team resilience in the NFL. Their run demonstrated that a team could pivot late in the year and still contend for a Super Bowl, inspiring future roster decisions across the league.

Ryan Tannehill’s comeback earned him NFL Comeback Player of the Year, validating the decision to switch starters midseason.
Derrick Henry’s dominance reestablished the value of a workhorse running back in an era of pass-first offenses.
The team’s road playoff wins against top seeds showed that home-field advantage wasn’t always decisive.
Mike Vrabel’s coaching performance solidified his reputation as one of the league’s most adaptable and aggressive head coaches.
The Titans’ run boosted fan engagement in Nashville and increased season ticket demand for future years.
It set a precedent for aggressive play-calling in critical moments, influencing offensive philosophies league-wide.

The 2019 season remains a benchmark for the Titans franchise, symbolizing resilience, transformation, and the power of team chemistry under pressure. It proved that even teams written off early can rise to prominence with the right adjustments and leadership.