“Titans Doomed for Historically Bad AFC South Mark - Proof Their Rebuild Is Broken
The Tennessee Titans, especially in recent years, are no strangers to disappointing campaigns in the form of low-win finishes. Mike Vrabel’s relative downturn before his firing just over two seasons ago was one thing, although Brian Callahan, his immediate replacement, mustering just three wins in his inaugural season was an entirely different sort of letdown.
Regarding the team’s current 2025-26 - half of which was under Callahan and now, after his departure, is led by interim head coach Mike McCoy - their 1-9 record looks bad enough on the surface, signaling a Titans’ potential final tally worse than what was previously thought plausible. Although below their one-win slate lies a tidbit of history that is most unfortunately in the making.
Unfortunate Record in the Making
Thus far this season, the Titans are 0-4 through four contests in the AFC South Division; two losses to the Indianapolis Colts and two to the Houston Texans, split at and away from home. If Tennessee fails to win either of their final two “in-house” battles over the second half of the season - both of which are against the Jacksonville Jaguars - they’ll end up winless in their league for the first time in over 40 years.
To boot, the last time the negative feat was achieved (if such a word is appropriate), in 1982, was before the Tennessee Titans existed at all.
Limiting Circumstances
The then-Houston Oilers, who finished with an overall record one loss shy of Tennessee’s current metric (1-8), were alongside the rest of the league’s teams in ensuring a strike-shortened, nine-game season, stripping many teams of opportunities for higher goals and development in either direction.
The result for the Titans’ predecessors, specifically, was an 0-4 finish in their division. A statistic that wouldn’t be repeated over the next near-half century, unless it happens now.
All the same, Tennessee can still put a stopper in the slamming door of history if they could just find a way to sync their array of moving pieces. In their last loss against the aforementioned Texans, 16-13, they came as close as they have been since their last win to doing so.
It’ll take an advanced effort on both sides of the ball, though the offense specifically has been the team’s greatest point of contention. If rookie quarterback Cam Ward can fully settle in, overcoming subpar performances from his veteran weapons and capitalize on what the defense gives him, perhaps the Titans can avoid this historical doom after all.
Although if Tennessee fans know anything at this point, it’s to not count on something good.
Saints' Alvin Kamara Can Make NFL History Vs. Falcons
The New Orleans Saints will take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon and there's a chance that National Football League history could be made.
Right now, Kamara has the fifth-most catches by a running back in NFL history with 604. The Saints pointed out that Kamara can move up to No. 4 on the all-time list on Sunday if he can haul in seven passes against the Falcons.
"With 604 career receptions, Alvin Kamara ranks fifth all-time among running backs," the Saints shared. "With seven catches on Sunday, he would pass Keith Byars to take sole possession of fourth all-time in NFL history."
Alvin Kamara has a chance to make NFL history
Kamara has had his fair share of big games throughout his career, but he has not reached seven receptions in a single game yet this year. The most catches he's had in one game this season was six back on Sept. 14th against the San Francisco 49ers. Last season, he was able to reach the threshold once with seven catches on Sept. 29, 2024, against the Falcons.
His usage in the passing game has taken a significant hit this season. Last year, he averaged 4.9 catches per game, and that was a drop from 2023 when he had 5.8 receptions per game. This season, Kamara has hauled in 3.1 catches per game, which would be his lowest mark of his career if the season were to end today.
While this is the case, Kamara is in sniffing distance of Keith Byars at No. 4. Right now, the Saints have seven games left this season. If he just sticks with his average catches per game this season, he would tack on another 21 catches before the campaign wraps. If he gets 21 more catches this season, that would put him at 625 for his career, which would be one ahead of LaDainian Tomlinson for No. 3 all-time among running backs.
Marshall Faulk has the record right now at 767. There's no way to know how much longer Kamara will play, but there's a very good chance that he will at least finish the season with the third-most catches in NFL history by a running back.
