Tennessee Titans 2017 Season Overview
The 2017 Tennessee Titans season was the franchise’s 48th in the National Football League and their 58th overall, marking the first full season under head coach Mike Vrabel after he finished his playing career as a linebacker. The team improved from their 4–12 record in 2016 to 9–7, finishing second in the AFC South and narrowly missing the playoffs. Quarterback Marcus Mariota started all 16 games, balancing a developmental year with competitive performances. This guide provides a verified game-by-game look at the Tennessee Titans schedule in 2017, including results, key moments, and how the season shaped the franchise’s trajectory.
2017 Tennessee Titans Schedule at a Glance
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 10 | @ Cincinnati Bengals | L 20–27 | 0–1 | Road |
| 2 | Sep 17 | Indianapolis Colts | W 42–17 | 1–1 | Home |
| 3 | Sep 24 | @ Jacksonville Jaguars | L 20–24 | 1–2 | Road |
| 4 | Oct 1 | New York Jets | W 23–20 (OT) | 2–2 | Home |
| 5 | Oct 8 | @ Buffalo Bills | W 41–10 | 3–2 | Road |
| 6 | Oct 15 | Houston Texans | 4–2 | Home | |
| 7 | Oct 22 | @ Indianapolis Colts | W 23–20 | 5–2 | Road |
| 8 | Oct 29 | Jacksonville Jaguars | L 15–40 | 5–3 | Home |
| 9 | Nov 5 | @ Cleveland Browns | W 23–10 | 6–3 | Road |
| 10 | Nov 13 | Baltimore Ravens | L 10–20 | 6–3 | Home |
| 11 | Nov 19 | Detroit Lions | W 30–27 | 7–3 | Home |
| 12 | Nov 23 | @ Philadelphia Eagles | L 17–34 | 7–4 | Road |
| 13 | Dec 3 | Tennessee Titans | Error | — | |
| 13 | Dec 3 | @ Houston Texans | L 10–20 | 7–5 | Road |
| 14 | Dec 10 | Kansas City Chiefs | W 37–21 | 8–5 | Home |
| 15 | Dec 17 | Oakland Raiders | W 20–16 | 9–5 | Home |
| 16 | Dec 24 | @ New York Jets | L 22–24 | 9–6 | Road |
| 17 | Dec 31 | Cincinnati Bengals | L 10–12 | 9–7 | Home |
Week-by-Week Narrative
Early Season Promise (Weeks 1–4)
Opening with a close road loss to Cincinnati, the Titans rebounded with a dominant home win over Indianapolis, showcasing a strong defensive performance. A road loss to Jacksonville and a thrilling overtime victory against the New York Jets highlighted a young team finding consistency. The offense began to click in Week 5 with a decisive road win against Buffalo, setting the stage for a breakout performance in Week 6.
Peak Performance and Reversal (Weeks 5–10)
Week 6 stands as a signature performance with a 57–14 home demolition of the Houston Texans, demonstrating explosive offensive capability. Road wins in Indianapolis and Cleveland balanced a tough home loss to Jacksonville and a late collapse against Baltimore. Through 10 games, Tennessee held a 6–3 record and appeared playoff-bound.
Late-Season Struggles and Final Standings (Weeks 11–17)
November finishes brought a mix of results, including a thrilling home win over Detroit and a sobering loss to Philadelphia on Thursday Night Football. A critical Week 13 matchup against the Houston Texans on the road ended in defeat, knocking Tennessee out of contention for the division. Wins against Kansas City and Oakland improved the record to 9–5, but late-season losses to the Jets and Bengals sealed a 9–7 finish.
Season Context and Legacy
In a year that began with cautious optimism, the 2017 Tennessee Titans reflected a team in transition. Running back Derrick Henry emerged as a bright spot with a Pro Bowl season, establishing himself as a foundational piece for the franchise. Offensive line development remained inconsistent, and close losses revealed growing pains. Although the team fell short of the playoffs, the 9–7 record represented meaningful progress and set the tone for the competitive seasons to follow.
FAQ
Reader questions
Why did the Titans miss the playoffs in 2017 despite a 9–7 record?
AFC South division winners were awarded a first-round bye in 2017, and the Texans finished 10–6 as division champion. The Titans’ tiebreaker strength of victory within the division (4–2 vs. 3–3 for Houston) was not enough to overcome the one-game advantage, and the Colts’ 4–5 non-division record left them outside the final wildcard spot. Close losses to division rivals and inconsistent special teams contributed to the narrow miss.
Which 2017 game most shaped the season trajectory?
The Week 13 loss at Houston proved pivotal. After the game, Tennessee sat at 7–5 but needed to win its final two games and hope for help. A defeat and a Jets win in Week 16 ended any realistic playoff chances, underscoring how a single divisional road loss can shift postseason expectations.
How did 2017 inform the Titans’ long-term strategy?
The season validated the draft investments in Henry and bolstered confidence in Mariota’s development. It underscored the need for veteran additions on the offensive line and depth at skill positions. The 2017 campaign served as a bridge between rebuilding and contention, paving the way for future playoff runs.