Entering 2017, the Tennessee Titans were billed as the trendy AFC team poised to make the leap under head coach Mike Mularkey. Coming off an 9-7 campaign, general manager Jon Robinson retooled the roster via free agency by adding defensive backs Logan Ryan and Johnathan Cyprien, while drafting receiver Corey Davis and cornerback Adoree Jackson. The investment paid off with another 9-7 finish and second place in the AFC South. Yet, the road was anything but seamless as the team managed to squeeze into the postseason as a wild card, ending an eleven-year playoff victory drought before a humbling exit in Foxborough.

The offense struggled for fluidity, finishing 19th in scoring with 334 points (20.9 ppg) and 23rd in total yards. Quarterback Marcus Mariota threw for 3,232 yards with 13 touchdowns against 15 interceptions, adding 312 rushing yards and five scores on the ground. The traditional ground attack saw second-year back Derrick Henry lead the team with 744 rushing yards, edging veteran DeMarco Murray’s 659 yards. Through the air, Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker remained the top target with 807 receiving yards, while Rishard Matthews added 795 yards. Free-agent signee Eric Decker chipped in 563 yards, but the passing game lacked deep playmaking punch.

Tennessee leaned on a front seven that suffocated opposing ground attacks, ranking fourth in the NFL by allowing just 3.6 yards per rush. Up front, defensive end Jurrell Casey anchored the line with six sacks, while edge rushers Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo combined for 14.5 sacks. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard led the team with 124 tackles. The true star, however, was safety Kevin Byard, who earned first-team All-Pro honors after tying for the league lead with eight interceptions. Supported by rookies Adoree Jackson and Jayon Brown, the unit ranked 13th in yards allowed and held opponent scoring in check.

The regular season was a wild ride. A brutal 57-14 blowout loss to Houston in Week 4 exposed defensive flaws, yet Tennessee countered by winning six of seven from weeks 6 through 13. Sitting at 8-4, a three-game December losing streak against the NFC Wests Arizona, San Francisco, and Rams placed their postseason dreams in jeopardy. Needing a win in Week 17 to survive, the Titans produced a clutch 15-10 home victory over the division-champion Jacksonville Jaguars. That gritty win secured a postseason berth and set up a memorable January run.

In the Wild Card round, Tennessee orchestrated a stunning 22-21 comeback win over Kansas City, headlined by Mariota throwing a touchdown pass to himself and Henry accumulating 156 rushing yards. Although a 35-14 loss to New England ended the run in the Divisional round, 2017 marked the franchise’s first playoff victory since January 2004. Despite the success, the team parted ways with Mularkey shortly after, making 2017 a pivotal transition year that brought playoff football back to Nashville.