Three Reasons the Titans Could Win the AFC South for the First Time Since 2021
Three Reasons the Titans Could Win the AFC South for the First Time Since 2021
The Tennessee Titans have some positive momentum, but not many people expect them to contend in 2026. What will it take for them to do so?Bryce W. Lazenby|
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Tennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans undeniably have some positive momentum going ahead of the 2026 season. A new coaching staff and several new talented starters have fans hoping for the best.
Despite that, not many expect the Titans to be a playoff team in 2026. The team's expected win total is sitting at 6.5 games, which would certainly be an improvement, but not playoff worthy. However, it's not like the Titans play in the toughest division in football. There's reason to believe the AFC South is winnable for the Titans.
Today, we're going to go over three reasons why the Titans could end up winning the division in 2026 and shocking the NFL world.
Regression from Division Rivals
In 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars won 13 games, and the Houston Texans won 12. That's impressive, and as a result, those two teams are expected to battle for the division crown again. However, I'm not sure that's a foregone conclusion, especially after the way this offseason went.
For starters, C.J. Stroud had a rough postseason for the Texans. Stroud's play was so disappointing that there's been talk about not being sold on him as the franchise passer. The Texans still have an elite defense, but if Stroud plays how he did at the end of 2025, it won't matter how good the defense is.
Then, you have the Jaguars, who seemingly didn't get any better over the offseason. The team lost standout linebacker Devin Lloyd and running back Travis Etienne. The only notable additions the team made were running back Chris Rodriguez and defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro. Is it possible the team overvalued its roster and will regret not making more improvements? I think it is.
Defense Wins Championships
You know the old saying. An elite defense can be such a gamechanger, and there's reason to believe this Titans' defense can be that. Of course, a defensive-minded head coach in Robert Saleh certainly helps.
It also helps to have Gus Bradley at defensive coordinator, who has been around a good defense or two. Combine those experienced and proven defensive minds with what could be one of the deepest defensive lines in the league and you could get some special results. I've talked about it ad nauseum, but the Titans' defensive front could be scary.
We know Jeffery Simmons and John Franklin-Myers will be elite on the interior. If Jermaine Johnson returns to his Pro Bowl form and either Keldric Faulk or Femi Oladejo take a step forward, this unit will be elite. That's not even factoring in new starting corners Cor'Dale Flott and Alontae Taylor who should more than hold their own. If this unit plays to its potential, the Titans will win a lot of games.
Cam Ward Becomes Elite
Elite quarterback play can mask a ton of other issues. Cam Ward had plenty of big moments as a rookie, but the Titans definitely need to see him progress in 2026 if they want to reach their full potential.
As a rookie, with almost no weapons, and a bad offensive line, Ward threw for 3,169 yards with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Is it really a stretch to say he could throw for 4,000+ yards with a better supporting cast?
Obviously, Ward is the biggest x-factor. We saw last year with the Cleveland Browns that even an elite defense doesn't help you that much if you have bad quarterback play. If Ward reaches his potential or at least takes some steps, the sky is the limit for the Titans.
Published Jun 22, 2026
BRYCE W. LAZENBYBryce W. Lazenby is a Nashville native who has been covering the Tennessee Titans since 2020. His previous stops include Titan Sized, Titans Wire, and A to Z Sports, among others. When not watching football, Lazenby enjoys golfing and spending time with his family. Follow him on X @TitansOnSI
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
