Titans at Broncos, 8:20 p.m., Monday, ESPN
For the record. The Titans’ low point last year was a 16-0 loss at the Broncos that dropped Tennessee to 2-4 and resulted in a mid-game quarterback change from Marcus Mariota to Ryan Tannehill. The switch fueled a 6-1 run that allowed the Titans to clinch a wild-card spot (9-7). Tennessee upset New England (20-13) and Baltimore (28-12) before losing the AFC title game at Kansas City (35-24).
Who’s hot. Running back Derrick Henry was the game’s best rusher last year. Henry led the NFL in carries (303), yards (1,540) and rushing touchdowns (16) and then really got going in January, gaining 446 yards in three postseason games.
Who’s not. We’ll put outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney in this category because he only signed his one-year contract with the Titans on Monday and will have very little practice time to get into game shape. Clowney, the top overall pick in 2014, has 32 sacks in 75 career games, and had only three for Seattle last year.
Key statistic. 75.56%. The Titans’ league-best red zone touchdown rate in 2019 (34 touchdowns in 45 possessions). Tannehill had 14 red zone touchdown passes and three interceptions and Henry’s 13 red zone rushing touchdowns were second in the NFL.
FYI. The Titans have gone 9-7 in four consecutive seasons (two playoff berths) and their last division title was 2008. … Coach Mike Vrabel is in his third year. As a player, he faced the Broncos 11 times (39 tackles). … Dennis Kelly is expected to start at right tackle, replacing Jack Conklin (signed with Cleveland in free agency). … Receiver A.J. Brown, a first-round pick last year, caught 52 passes for 1,051 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie.
Streaking. Safety Kevin Byard leads the NFL with 17 interceptions since the start of 2017, including a takeaway in last year’s loss to the Broncos.
Quote: “We’ll have to play better than we did (in Denver) last year to have any kind of success.” — Vrabel.
