One Titans player can prove that the season isn’t over

NASHVILLE -- Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Arden Key is no stranger to the challenges of a 3-7 start to the season.

In 2022, Key was with the Jacksonville Jaguars and played a big role in turning that Jags’ season around. Just like this years Titans, Jacksonville started the season 3-7 in 2022, but after winning 5 games in a row, was able to win the division and make the AFC playoff picture.

3-7 means you’re down; but it does not mean you’re out. Key has experienced that first-hand.

"When we had those three losses, everybody had their input on different things. But for me, every time whether I was in Jacksonville or San Fran and we went through those [losing streaks], we went back to the basics. Just like last week, we went back to camp stuff," said Key in a Monday press conference.

Key would be the first one to tell you that he “comes alive” in November in December. In 2022, Key recorded 2.5 sacks and 10 QB hits in games played after Thanksgiving.

He continued that trend this past Sunday, coming up with a strip sack that led to a Titans touchdown and two QB hits. I’m not sure anybody can explain it, but it certainly seems like Key plays his best football late in the year.

Tennessee squeaked out a victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday to improve to 4-7 and get back in the win column. But it's has to be completely satisfied by the victory. The Titans did not score in the second half against the worst team in football. That being said, sometimes, a win is all it takes to get morale back where it needs to be. As Key saw with his Jaguars last year; one win can turn an entire season around.

"That's what we needed. We needed to get the win. A win cures a lot of things. Coming out and beating the Colts would build even more confidence," Key told me. "I've been in this situation before. I go back and look at the experience I went through."

Can the Titans repeat history and stage an incredible comeback in the division this year? Only time will tell. Tennessee has a big divisional game against the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday at Nissan Stadium. It will be their first back-to-back home games of the season.