NFL Roundtable: Ryan Tannehill has Titans on the rise

Every week we sit down with BetAmerica Extra columnists Ashley Anderson, James Scully and Scott Shapiro to discuss the latest news from around the NFL. This week they weigh in on Ryan Tannehill's strong play in Tennessee, the Panthers' coaching search and Drew Lock's bright future in Denver.

Ryan Tannehill is now 6-1 as a starter since he took over in Tennessee. How far can he carry the Titans?

Ashley: Tannehill has the Titans on a roll at the moment, and he’s capable of leading the team to the postseason. The veteran quarterback has completed 77.6% of his passes over the past three games and has tallied nine total touchdowns to one interception in that span of time. The Titans get division-leading Houston on Sunday and in Week 17, and could easily exploit the Texans’ weak secondary. I could see Tennessee earning a wild-card spot and even advancing to the divisional round, but that’s likely the Titans’ ceiling in 2019.

James: I think Tennessee will win the AFC South, which would give the Titans  a legitimate chance to win a home playoff game in the wild-card round. The Titans are playing at a high level, because of Ryan Tannehill’s emergence, and they control their destiny with two games remaining against Houston.

Scott: Tannehill has been a major upgrade since he replaced Marcus Mariota as Titans QB. His ability to turn the ball loose and give his wide receivers chances to make plays is what has been most noticeable. However, I am not ready to consider Tennessee a true contender in the AFC. If the Titans win two of their last three games against quality competition (Texans twice and Saints), I will reconsider. For now I think winning the division and maybe a wild-card game is their ceiling.

The Ron Rivera era has ended in Carolina. Who do you expect the Panthers to target as their next head coach?

Ashley: The Panthers offense has experienced plenty of issues, and the likelihood of franchise quarterback Cam Newton returning next season is almost nonexistent. The one piece Carolina can count on is star running back Christian McCaffrey, and the Panthers should search for a coach who can successfully build around McCaffrey and whichever quarterback they elevate to starter in 2020. Someone like Minnesota offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski could become a solid fit in Carolina. The longtime coach on the Vikings staff has helped Dalvin Cook achieve a breakout season in 2019, and he’s built the No. 4 rushing offense in the league. Under Stefanski’s system quarterback Kirk Cousins is also enjoying one of the best seasons of his eight-year career.

James: Josh McDaniel is my guess. Owner David Tepper has expressed a desire for an offensive-minded coach with NFL experience, and Carolina is not a rebuilding project. The Panthers have a solid core defensively and quality skill players in Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore. All they need is a quarterback, assuming Cam Newton won’t be back.

Scott: Panthers owner David Tepper appears ready to turn to an offensive mind as his next head coach in Charlotte. There are several guys out there who fit that criteria, but Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski makes the most sense. He is just 37-years old and will be a great fit for a Carolina offense built around running back Christian McCaffrey.

Have the Broncos finally found their franchise QB in Drew Lock?

Ashley: Lock excelled against the Texans on Sunday and performed decently against the Chargers in his rookie debut, but I need to see more from the Missouri product. Lock threw an interception in both games and struggled with accuracy against Los Angeles. The Broncos have undergone so many changes at quarterback since Peyton Manning’s retirement ahead of the 2016 season that I’d be hesitant to feel confident about any new starter, until they’ve demonstrated consistent production throughout a full season.

James: The final three games will tell us more, but Drew Lock looked the part in his second start at Houston. The rookie came out on fire, led Denver to a big lead and he has a big arm. I like the chemistry Lock is developing with prized first-round selection Noah Fant.

Scott: It is too early to tell whether Denver has found its franchise quarterback, but Lock certainly possesses a skill set that could lead to success in the NFL. He has a strong arm, is a great athlete and he stands tall in the pocket. What remains to be seen is whether his decision making will be good enough to lead to long-term success for the Broncos. Like most, though, I have liked what I have seen thus far.

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