The Tennessee Titans are riding high coming out of their Week 5 bye after beating the Miami Dolphins on the road in Week 4, 31-12, which was their first win of the 2024 campaign.
The 30-point performance was also the Titans' first in over 1,000 days. The last time Tennessee accomplished that feat was in Week 17 of the 2021 season, which also came against the Dolphins.
Tennessee finally broke its streak without quarterback Will Levis under center. The Kentucky product suffered a shoulder injury that forced his early exit, leading to Mason Rudolph getting the football. Rudolph didn't have to do much, but he did take care of the football and allowed his rushing attack and defense to do the rest.
For those wondering, head coach Brian Callahan said the team would stick with Levis if he's healthy enough to play. Per Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky, Levis may not have played in Week 5 if the Titans weren't on a bye, but the expectation is he will play in Week 6, although he'll likely be in some pain.
Now, a look at where the Titans sit in the NFL power rankings of experts going into Week 6. Tennessee did see some movement despite being idle in Week 5.
NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Tennessee Titans
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 29 (+2)
Iyer: "The Titans got a hard-fought first win, with their running game and defense playing bigger roles in Miami. Now, they need to see a healthy Will Levis turn the corner after the bye."
Taylor Wirth, NBC Sports: 32 (no change)
Wirth: "The backbreaking Will Levis turnovers have become automatic. The viral images afterward have been the highlight of their season."
Brian Blewis, Pro Football Network: 29 (-1)
Blewis: "The Titans managed to avoid going into their bye week winless, but it was their backup quarterback Mason Rudolph who led them to their first victory of the season, not Will Levis. Although the Titans are 1-3, they have outgained their opponents in three out of four games this season. Their issue has been they have a -7 turnover differential, which was the worst of any NFL team through four weeks. Levis will need to improve coming out of the bye to save both his job and the Titans’ season."
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut: 28 (-1)
Johnson: "It’s quarterback controversy time for the Tennessee Titans. The team avoided it temporarily thanks to the Week 5 bye, but Will Levis (shoulder) should be healthy enough to be medically cleared in Week 6. For now, Titans head coach Brian Callahan is standing by Levis as the starter when healthy. However, considering the Titans’ quality defense and above-average run game, the better option for 2024 might be Mason Rudolph as a game manager who protects the football. Then again, Tennessee might prefer to play Levis to improve its chances at a better quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft."
Peter Dewey, Sports Illustrated: 30 (+1)
Dewey: "The Titans were on the bye in Week 5."
