INDIANAPOLIS – For the first time since 2013, the Titans are in the midst of a winning streak.
Tennessee enters Week Seven winners of two straight games.
At 3-3 on the season, the Titans have positioned themselves right in the thick of the AFC South picture with the midway point of the season approaching.
It was a rather seismic shifts in philosophy and personnel for the Titans this offseason.
While the Titans retained interim head coach Mike Mularkey, they brought in a new general manager (Jon Robinson).
Coming over from New England, Robinson traded for running back DeMarco Murray before wheeling and dealing his way through the 2016 NFL Draft.
Murray looks very similar to the back and weapon we saw from his days in Dallas.
Running behind a young offensive line built for future success, Murray is third in the NFL in rushing yards (114 carries for 526 yards).
The Titans have also leaned on Murray in the passing game. Murray is the team's leading receiver with 24 receptions.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota has been a bit up and down in his second season, but continues to be a potent threat in the run game (Mariota is averaging 7.3 yards per carry).
Tennessee's defense has been hovering around a top 10-unit in both the run and the pass.
Edge rusher Brian Orakpo has turned back the clock with 7.0 sacks, the third most in the NFL after six weeks.
The three wins this season for the Titans have come in road games versus the Lions and Dolphins, plus a home victory over the Browns.
The losses occurred against the Vikings and Raiders, along with a road defeat to the Texans.
In the Colts/Titans series, the Colts have won nine in a row. Three of the last four meetings in Nashville have been decided by one possession.
*2016 Record: *3-3, 2nd place in the AFC South.
*Head Coach: *Mike Mularkey, head coach (5th season as an NFL head coach, 2nd season as Titans head coach, 21-42 overall regular season).
*2016 NFL Rankings: *Offense – Overall, 11th (366.2); Rushing, 3rd (146.7); Passing, 29th (219.5). Defense – Overall, 9th (324.0); Rushing, 7th (88.5); Passing, 11th (235.5).
2016 Leading Passer: Marcus Mariota (117-of-189 comp., 1,372 yards, 61.9 pct., 10 TDs, 6 INTs, 88.3 rating).
*2016 Leading Rusher: *DeMarco Murray (114 carries, 526 yards, 4 TDs).
*2016 Leading Receiver: *DeMarco Murray (24 receptions, 172 yards, 2 TDs).
2016 Leading Sacker: Brian Orakpo (7.0). 2016 Turnover Breakdown: Minus 3 (tied for 24th in the NFL).
2016 NFL Draft Results: It was a pretty entertaining draft for the new GM Jon Robinson. Trading back from No. 1 overall, the Titans then moved from the No. 15 spot, when they traded back up to the 8th position. The Titans took Michigan State offensive tackle Jack Conklin with the 8th overall pick. With a bevy of picks, the Titans added a pair of defensive front guys in Round Two, before turning some heads later in the round. With the 45th overall pick, the Titans selected Alabama running back Derrick Henry. After six weeks, Henry has 158 rushing yards on 36 carries.
2015 Review:A new era of Titans' football was ushered in with Marcus Mariota's impressive NFL debut. That Week One victory was the highlight of the entire 2015 campaign. The Titans finished 3-13 with Mariota's rookie season cut short due to injury. Following the season, the Titans brought in new GM Jon Robinson. Tennessee did retain interim head coach Mike Mularkey for his fifth overall season as an NFL head coach.
Last time in Playoffs: 2008 season. Lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 13-10, in the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs.
*Last time in Super Bowl: *1999 season. Lost to the St. Louis Rams, 23-16, in Super Bowl XXXIV.
*Super Bowl Championships: *None.
2016 Pro Bowl Selections: DT-Jurrell Casey and TE-Delanie Walker.
