Magic 8 Ball predictions for the 2024 Tennessee Titans

Mattel’s Magic 8 Ball has been predicting the future since 1946. We ran a few questions about the Tennessee Titans by one, and there were mixed results.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, users ask yes–no questions to the ball, give it a shake and then turn it over to reveal the answer. We opted for an online version to ask the following:

Is Will Levis the Titans franchise QB?

Magic 8 Ball says: You may rely on it

Despite a few moments during his rookie season that made some people stop and take notice — primarily his four-touchdown NFL debut and his fourth-quarter comeback win over the Miami Dolphins — some still question if Levis really is Tennessee’s QB of the future.

The Titans front office presumably is giving him every chance to prove he is in 2024 after surrounding him with more talent than he had last year (Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, JC Latham, Lloyd Cushenberry) — a challenge that Levis is embracing. The gunslinger looked the part of a franchise QB at times last year; now he has to consistently show it.

Does the Titans’ run game take a step back without Derrick Henry?

Magic 8 Ball says: My sources say no

It’s always difficult replacing a player of Henry’s caliber, but the Titans did about as good of a job as they could by adding Pollard.  While he’s not Henry, Pollard also is quite good at racking up yards after contact. Seventy-six percent of his rushing yards in 2023 came after contact (760 of 1,005 yards), which is comparable to Henry’s 79.6 percent (930 of 1,167 yards).

Pollard also had similar numbers to Henry in several other categories including runs of 10 or more yards (22 to 23), missed tackles forced (47 to 57), first downs via run (60 to 63) and designed runs of 15 or more yards (11 to 16), per Pro Football Focus. The Pollard/Tyjae Spears combination could yield just as much production as Henry and Spears did last year.

Are the Titans dark-horse contenders to win the division?

Magic 8 Ball says: Signs points to yes

For now, it appears the AFC South is the Houston Texans’ to lose. But with the sdditions Tennessee made in the offseason — Pollard, Ridley, Boyd, Latham, Cushenberry, T’Vondre Sweat, La’Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie, Kenneth Murray — plus having the 10th-easiest strength of schedule, the Titans could happen upon a solid number of wins.

Contending for the division title may be a bit overzealous, though. Tennessee gets Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love and Tua Tagovailoa in three of the first four weeks, and they finish up the season (when the roster is arguably the most banged up) with division games in four of the last five weeks. However, with a new offensive-minded head coach and upgrades at several positions, the Titans could surprise a lot of people.

Will Brian Callahan be an upgrade over Mike Vrabel?

Magic 8 Ball says: It is certain

Few would argue that Vrabel was a good head coach, but his failure to adapt to the offense-forward state of the NFL and yield to general manager Ran Carthon’s vision for the team’s future ultimately cost him his job. But fortunately for Tennessee, it got its No. 1 choice to replace him.

Callahan worked wonders for Cincinnati’s offense during his time there, and he immediately upgraded the Titans WR corps to put Levis in a better position to succeed. He also brought in his father, Bill Callahan, who’s regarded by some as the top offensive line coach in the NFL to help fix arguably the worst offensive line from 2023. 

The Titans have a solid foundation in Callahan’s first year when many expected the roster to be stripped to the studs. If Levis is who the Titans think he is, he has the weapons to put up a lot of yards and points, which is music to the ears of Titans fans who sat through six seasons of handing off to Henry and hoping the defense can hold teams to two touchdowns or less.