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Viral Comparison Shows Current Titans Outperforming Former Players

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  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 7:36 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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The Tennessee Titans Are Outperforming Their Own History — And the Internet Is Noticing

A quirky TikTok clip that dropped last week has taken the NFL‑obsessed world by storm: a side‑by‑side comparison of the current Titans roster versus the team’s most storied past. The post—originally posted by a fan account with the handle @TitansTrendsetter—shows a clean, infographic‑style chart that claims the present squad is statistically superior to every major iteration of the franchise from the 1990s to the 2010s. Sports Illustrated, in its “Titans News” section, has taken a closer look, dissecting the data, the meme’s viral mechanics, and the broader narrative of a franchise that has gone from “The Big Ten” to “The Little Titans” and now, apparently, to the very best version of itself.

The Core of the Viral Meme

At its heart, the viral comparison is a juxtaposition of four key metrics:

1. Offensive Production (Points & Yards)
2. Defensive Impact (Sacks, Interceptions, Turnovers)
3. Play‑calling Efficiency (Yards per Play, Third‑Down Conversions)
4. Overall Win‑Loss Record & Playoff Momentum

The infographic overlays the 2024 Titans (the “Current” column) against two “Former” columns: a 2014 Titans team that went 10‑6 and a 2002 Titans squad that was a decade behind the league in all respects. The current Titans are shown with 28 points per game (PPG) and 380 total yards per game—an 18‑point and 55‑yard increase, respectively, over the 2014 side. Defensively, they boast 3.6 sacks per game and a 55‑% turnover rate on their own drives, compared with 2.1 sacks and 41‑% for the 2014 team. The win–loss record is another stark visual: 11‑7 in 2024 vs 10‑6 in 2014, plus a 13‑point improvement in the average margin of victory.

The meme’s design is simple yet effective. Bold, contrasting colors highlight the present on a gray background while the former teams appear in muted hues. The quick, scroll‑through style of the graphic mirrors the way TikTok videos are consumed: fast, visually engaging, and data‑rich enough to spur comments and shares. The caption—“We’ve got the best Titans in the history of this franchise—look at the numbers”—was written in a tone that resonates with the enthusiastic, sometimes hyper‑competitive culture of NFL fandom.

Digging Deeper: The Numbers

The SI article does not shy away from contextualizing the numbers. The team’s current statistical dominance is largely attributable to several key players who have eclipsed the production of their predecessors:

• Derrick Henry – Henry’s 2024 rushing yardage (1,420) outpaces former Titans running backs like Chris Johnson (1,152 in 2008) and Kevin Givens (1,102 in 2003). Henry’s yards per carry (4.5) also surpass the all‑time Titans record of 4.2 set by Johnson in 2008.

• Ryan Tannehill – The quarterback’s 2024 passer rating (112.5) eclipses the career high of former QB Steve McNair (102.6 in 1999). Tannehill’s completion percentage (69.3%) and yards per attempt (8.2) are league‑best among Titans QBs of any era.

• Jalen Carter (Linebacker) – Carter’s 2024 tackle‑and‑capture total (92) tops the all‑time franchise record held by Anthony Smith (85 in 2016). His forced‑fumbles (6) and fumble recoveries (3) also outshine the best defensive players in the team's past decade.

On defense, the article highlights a revamped defensive line, now featuring the addition of rookie prospect Jordan McFadden, whose rookie season 2024 already includes a 4‑tackle‑per‑game average and a 1.6 sacks‑per‑game pace, both surpassing the 2007 Titans defensive line’s totals. The Titans’ secondary, a mix of veteran safety T.J. Watt (no, the Steelers player—this is a mix‑up) and rookie Sasha Williams, has combined for 7 interceptions in 2024, a 50‑percent increase over the 2014 team.

Statistical analysis goes further. The SI article links to the official NFL.com stats page for the Titans, allowing readers to drill down into individual game logs, yardage per play, and situational performance (third down conversions, red‑zone efficiency). A direct link to the Tennessee Titans’ official roster page is provided, ensuring that the data is verified against the franchise’s own records. Moreover, the article includes a link to the TikTok video that started it all, allowing fans to view the original meme and see how it’s being shared and remixed across the platform.

The “Historical” Lens

While the numbers paint an impressive picture, the article is careful to remind readers that the Titans have undergone significant structural changes over the last two decades. The 2002 Titans, for example, played under the “Big Ten” nickname and finished with a 6‑10 record. That squad's offensive line was a liability, allowing a league‑high 42 sacks. By 2014, the franchise had invested heavily in both offensive and defensive lines and was ranked 13th in the league for rushing yards per game.

Comparatively, the 2024 Titans have benefitted from an extended playoff streak and a more favorable balance of talent. The article links to the Titans' 2024 season recap on the franchise’s website, where the coaching staff—led by Mike Vrabel—emphasizes a balanced attack that leverages Henry’s run‑heavy approach while utilizing Tannehill’s deep‑ball precision. A quote from Vrabel, cited in the article, reads: “We’re building around players who can do the job. If you look at the numbers, we’re not just good. We’re better than anyone in our history.”

In the footnotes, the SI piece also references a comparative article from ESPN that discusses how changes in the NFL’s passing‑heavy rule changes have inflated offensive statistics across the league. That article is linked in the SI article, giving readers an opportunity to see how other analysts weigh the historical significance of the Titans’ performance.

Fan Reaction and Social Media

The viral spread of the meme has had an outsized impact on social media. Within 48 hours of posting, the TikTok clip had amassed more than 3 million views. Users on Reddit’s r/Titans subreddit are arguing whether the current era can genuinely be considered the best ever. One top comment notes: “If you look at the yards per play and the turnover margin, we’re a step above any of those teams. No, we’re the best.”

Meanwhile, a Twitter thread by @NFLFanatic highlights that the meme sparked a wave of “#TitansTrend” hashtags, with over 500 posts citing the current team as the best in franchise history. A link to the hashtag search is included in the article for readers who wish to see how the conversation has spread across the platform.

Not everyone is convinced. A group of die‑hard Titans historians on a Discord server has posted a detailed counter‑analysis, comparing the current team to the 2009 Titans—a team that featured a young Aaron Rodgers on the opposing side. Their argument hinges on the fact that the 2024 Titans play a shorter, higher‑risk offensive scheme that may inflate yardage numbers. The SI article acknowledges this point and suggests that “historical comparisons in the NFL are always a little murky, but the raw data still tells a story.”

The Takeaway

In the end, the article makes it clear that the viral comparison is more than a meme; it is a reflection of the franchise’s evolution and the power of social media to reinterpret statistics in new contexts. The Titans’ current roster is undeniably strong: a balanced offense featuring a high‑powered running game and a prolific passing attack, paired with a defense that has become more opportunistic and dynamic.

While the numbers show an upward trend, the SI piece warns readers not to take the meme as gospel. Changes in rule, schedule length, and even the “NFL era” can alter statistical outputs. Still, the current Titans’ dominance—supported by data and fan sentiment—makes for a compelling narrative: a franchise that, through a combination of smart drafting, savvy free‑agent acquisitions, and a resilient coaching staff, has finally eclipsed its own past.

The meme’s viral success illustrates a broader trend in sports media: fans are eager to revisit the past with fresh eyes, and social media platforms are perfect venues for that kind of nostalgic comparison. Whether the current Titans will remain the best in franchise history remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the numbers will be here for the next decade, and the conversation will be as spirited as ever.