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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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The Tennessee Titans enter their 2026 NFL campaign after a disappointing 3-14 record last season, but one NFL analyst believes they'll experience a significant turnaround.
During NFL Network's "Good Morning Football," Kyle Brandt shared his AFC Playoff picks live on video, requesting that two colleagues back in the studio give "total and utter silence" when he revealed his final pick.
"No laughs, no gasps, no words. I just want to have a soak in the moment; are we cool with that?" he asked before revealing his final pick.
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"My final Wild Card spot in the American Football Conference," he said, pausing before holding up a mini Titans helmet on camera. "It's the Tennessee Titans."
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That stunning reveal brought complete silence, but it also featured his colleagues in the studio, Jamie Erdahl and Manti Te'o, getting out of their chairs to leave the set on camera.
"And people in Tennessee and all the members of the Titans, hear the silence. The only voice you're hearing is me. That is who believes in you outside of that building. No one on this set, no one at home, no one on any other set. I believe in you," Brandt said.
"I believe in your quarterback. I believe in your coaching staff. I believe in your free agency which was rife with additions and players and talents. I believe in the Tennessee Titans," he stated.
Brandt admitted his prediction was going to get him "skewered," then added, "I believe I don't give a damn." He called the Titans "one of the stories of the year."
It hasn't been a huge drought for the Titans making the playoffs, but it was a much different team. They were the AFC's No. 1 seed in 2021 under head coach Mike Vrabel and featured star running back Derrick Henry and star receiver AJ Brown.
All three of those individuals have moved on to new AFC teams, with Vrabel now coaching the New England Patriots, who traded to reunite him with Brown this coming season. Henry stars as part of the Baltimore Ravens' offense with Lamar Jackson.
Both of those teams seem likely to earn playoff spots, which would leave six more squads contending for them in the AFC. Among them are a Kansas City Chiefs team hungry to get back to the postseason, and strong contenders including the Josh Allen-led Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans with their top-tier defense.
Due to being in the AFC South, the Titans get to play against the Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars, teams that competed in the AFC Playoffs, two times each next season. Additionally, the Titans face several tough matchups on their schedule, including the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens.
The Titans drafted Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate fourth overall back in April, and are hoping to see good things emerge as Ward develops as a star QB and connects with him and other members of his receiving corps this season.
Ahead of the season, Fox Sports reported that the Titans' win total for the season was 6.5 games, with the under 6.5 favored, which definitely doesn't suggest a playoff team.
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