The cold, hard truth about every AFC team before Week 1
Thirty-two potential Super Bowl champions are crowned every offseason. As optimism and hope are dashed once the season begins, that number falls quickly. We're here to separate fact from fiction and deliver a reality check on every NFL team.
Jump to:
BAL | BUF | CIN | CLE
DEN | HOU | IND | JAX
KC | LV | LAC | MIA
NE | NYJ | PIT | TEN
Baltimore Ravens
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: They learn to consistently raise their level in the playoffs. Last season, a 13-win Ravens squad with league MVP Lamar Jackson couldn't beat what was arguably the weakest Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs team. Baltimore needs to learn how to extract that extra 1% when it matters most.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: The offensive line - which is littered with inexperience and question marks - puts Jackson at risk of injury, or new defensive coordinator Zach Orr proves to be a significant step down from Mike Macdonald, whose work garnered lots of praise last season.
Who they need to break out: Odafe Oweh. It's approaching now or never for the 2021 first-round pick, who hasn't exceeded five sacks in any of his three seasons.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: Derrick Henry. The four-time Pro Bowler's 4.2 yards per carry in 2023 tied a career worst. The workhorse back led the league in rushing in four of the last five seasons, but he turned the dreaded age of 30 earlier this year, and the wheels might fall off sooner rather than later.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: First-time defensive coordinator Orr. The Ravens allowed a league-best 16.5 points per game last season, a big reason they secured the AFC's No. 1 seed. Orr will be expected to maintain the status quo - a tough task.
The bottom line: The Ravens have a solid floor and a high ceiling, but there's cause for concern. Their offensive line should invoke more fear in Ravens fans than opposing teams. They've also got a lot riding on an aging Henry remaining effective, a receiver besides Zay Flowers stepping up, and the defense avoiding regression after a major brain drain. Those are worrying factors for a team hoping to get over the hump.
Buffalo Bills
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: Josh Allen goes Super Saiyan. He's got his work cut out for him after the Bills' top two receivers, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, left this offseason. That's 1,929 receiving yards lost from 2023 to 2024. If the postseason comes down to a quarterback duel, Allen will have to carry this team like he's never done before.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: No true WR1 emerges. The Bills have taken a risky committee approach to replace Diggs and Davis. If none of the wideouts - a group that includes Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, and Khalil Shakir - prove fearsome, it'll be a long year.
Who they need to break out: Dalton Kincaid. The answer to the Bills' pass-catching woes might be a freak tight end, not a receiver. Kincaid caught 73 passes for 673 yards as a rookie, but the second-year pro's got the potential to turn into a star in this offense.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: Von Miller. Although his tank might already be on empty, he's been given one last chance to prove himself. He was basically invisible for the Bills last season, recording zero sacks, but he was returning from a 2022 ACL tear, and that earned him a pass. If Miller fails to produce again, he won't get another shot.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: The Bills went 6-1 after making Joe Brady the interim offensive coordinator and scored 30-plus points in three of those contests. Can they find the same success over a full season? Brady needs to build a balanced offense that maximizes its passing and rushing attack while masking its lack of top-end receiving talent.
The bottom line: The lack of a true receiving star limits Buffalo's potential. With a lot of familiar faces gone, the team is in the midst of a transition or a retool. Truthfully, the Bills' best shot at a championship already passed them by, but as long as Allen is under center, they should at least be playoff contenders.
Cincinnati Bengals
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: Joe Burrow lights it up in his return from injury, Zack Moss and Chase Brown give the Bengals an effective one-two punch in the backfield, the run defense isn't horrendous, and a young secondary finds its voice and hits its stride.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: They struggle to shift to a more balanced offense, the offensive line allows over 40 sacks again, and their run defense turns every opposing back into peak Barry Sanders.
Who they need to break out: Andrei Iosivas has the opportunity of a lifetime with Tyler Boyd gone. The second-year pro could give the Bengals another productive receiver, which is crucial with 2024 looking like it might be Tee Higgins' last season in Cincinnati.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: Remember a few years ago when Mike Gesicki posted his second straight 700-plus-yard campaign? It's hard to believe that actually happened in 2021 now that he's totaled 606 yards across two disappointing seasons since.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: This is the most important season of Higgins' career. His request for a trade or long-term deal didn't work out, and after a pedestrian 2023 campaign, the wideout can't afford another down year with free agency looming.
The bottom line: This is a talented football team that will compete to win a tough AFC North. Is the roster as worry-free as the 2021 Super Bowl squad? Undoubtedly not. A lot depends on Burrow's health. The backfield lost Joe Mixon, but could still improve. A run defense that was 26th in the NFL in 2023 lost its anchor in D.J. Reader. And how will the offense respond with coordinator Brian Callahan gone? Until we get clarity in these areas, it's impossible to deliver a verdict on the Bengals' potential.
Cleveland Browns
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: Deshaun Watson remembers how to play quarterback at a high level and they feature a dynamic running game, compensating for the uncertainty about Nick Chubb's form in his eventual return from a knee injury.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: Watson - who has thrown for just 14 touchdowns in 12 starts - is awful again. Their run game ranked 26th in yards per attempt in 2023, so the Browns need the Watson we saw play for the Houston Texans.
Who they need to break out: Jerome Ford. Yes, he racked up 800 yards rushing last season, but it was to the very inefficient tune of 4.0 yards per carry and a 39.7% success rate. Kevin Stefanski needs more than that to make this offense work.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: Jerry Jeudy is at a crossroads. The former top-15 pick never touched 1,000 yards, averaged more than 65 yards per game, or averaged five receptions a game during his time with the Broncos. His fit in Cleveland is a little confusing given Amari Cooper's status as WR1 and Watson's struggles.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: Their $230-million quarterback is running out of time to avoid being labeled the worst contract in NFL history. Since 2022, Watson is 35th of 42 in passer rating among quarterbacks who have attempted at least 420 throws.
The bottom line: There's just no tangible evidence that Watson is going to turn it around in 2024. Browns fans can feel optimistic, but it's hard to be confident that he'll emerge from a two-year decline after getting outplayed by a 38-year-old Joe Flacco last season.
Denver Broncos
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: Sean Payton's vision is realized much earlier than anyone expected as Bo Nix has a rookie year to remember and Vance Joseph's defense - which has never ranked in the top 10 in points allowed - becomes one of the NFL's best units.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: Nix is hindered by severe NFL growing pains and the Broncos' defense - which still looks like a group in transition - is again painfully mediocre under Joseph. That said, the roster could use another injection of high-end talent, so winding up with a top-15 draft pick isn't the worst thing that could happen to Denver.
Who they need to break out: Nik Bonitto notched eight sacks in 2023, only half a sack off the team lead. He did that in just 52% of defensive snaps played. The issue is Bonitto's run defense, which isn't reliable enough to justify increasing his overall usage. Denver's defense could benefit greatly if Bonitto can add that element to his game.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: The expiry date of running backs keeps getting earlier and earlier, and Javonte Williams' might be arriving at age 24. He averaged 3.6 yards per carry last season, including an abysmal 3.3 from Week 8 onward.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: It's Year 2 of Payton's vision for the Broncos with Russell Wilson gone and Nix under center. No one expects miracles from a rookie, but there's no reason this offense shouldn't improve considerably.
The bottom line: Payton got the quarterback he wanted. While that might give the Broncos' 8-9 record in 2023 a bit of a boost, they're still a few steps away from being a finished product.
Houston Texans
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: C.J. Stroud continues his path to superstardom in an offense that's now stocked with talent while DeMeco Ryans' defense poses problems for the rest of the NFL. You know, this doesn't sound so far-fetched.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: Stroud and Ryans hit a serious sophomore slump. Now that might sound hard to believe given Stroud's raw talent, but the tape is out: Defenses had all offseason to come up with ways to thwart the quarterback. If Stroud and coordinator Bobby Slowik can't react in time, this train might derail even faster than it accelerated.
Who they need to break out: Will Anderson Jr. was named Defensive Rookie of the Year after a seven-sack campaign in 2023. Why not earn Defensive Player of the Year honors this season? The former No. 3 overall pick has the ability, and playing alongside Danielle Hunter, he's likely primed for a monster year.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: A lot of eyes will be on Stefon Diggs. He visibly tailed off in 2023, failing to exceed 100 receiving yards in his final 13 games (including playoffs). Now, Diggs - who received 154 or more targets in each of his last four seasons - has to get used to taking a back seat to Texans receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell. Is Diggs willing to do that - especially in a contract year?
Who's under the most pressure to perform: This could be Diggs again, but we'll pin this on the head coach. After this young Texans team got a taste of postseason success, expectations are higher than ever entering Ryans' second year. Can he keep his locker room focused and manage all the newly added star power such as Diggs, Hunter, and Joe Mixon?
The bottom line: The Texans arrived last season, but they'll quickly learn that keeping your spot in the upper echelon of the NFL is tougher than getting there. Everyone is looking at Houston to make a jump from postseason guests to playoff hosts. While the talent is undeniable, 2024 will tell us a lot about the mental makeup of this team.
Indianapolis Colts
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: Anthony Richardson stays healthy and has a MVP season. Even then, it might take a few answered prayers to get this team to the Super Bowl.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: An unprotected Richardson falls victim to another injury, Jonathan Taylor gets banged up again, and a defense that ranked 28th in points allowed fails to improve greatly.
Who they need to break out: Julius Brents. Indianapolis needs its 2022 second-round pick to make himself known as an emerging cornerback after allowing a 65.4% completion rate in his rookie year, per Pro Football Reference.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: Quenton Nelson made the Pro Bowl in all six of his seasons, but don't let that popularity contest convince you that all is well. Nelson hasn't been bad, he's just drifted far from his usual All-Pro form - he finished as PFF's 16th-graded guard last season.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: General manager Chris Ballard is feeling the heat. The Colts have missed the postseason in three straight seasons, and if Richardson doesn't pan out, that would be a big swing-and-miss on Ballard's resume.
The bottom line: The Colts are married to Richardson's progress. Although he's exciting, that's based on a sample size of four NFL games. Not only does he need to stay healthy, Indianapolis needs to figure out how to utilize his dual-threat ability without risking his durability. He also could have worked through a lot of mistakes if he played all of last season. It's easy to be optimistic, but Colts fans should treat 2024 as Richardson's second rookie year.
Jacksonville Jaguars
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: Trevor Lawrence plays like the generational quarterback he was supposed to be when drafted. He's been good, but he'll have to take his game to a level he hasn't reached yet to fight for a Lombardi Trophy.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: Doug Pederson's late-season collapse turns into an unstoppable downward spiral, retaining Press Taylor as offensive coordinator limits $275-million quarterback Lawrence, and a defensive makeover on the coaching staff still doesn't solve Jacksonville's issues. Pederson is fired, giving Lawrence yet another head coaching change in his young career.
Who they need to break out: Anton Harrison's rookie season was a tough one. The first-round tackle garnered valuable experience with 17 starts but still experienced his share of struggles. Jacksonville will hope Harrison emerges as a Pro-Bowl caliber player in his second season.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: Brandon Scherff hasn't been the same player since he joined the Jaguars on a $49.5-million contract in 2022. He was supposed to be the crown jewel of Lawrence's offensive line, but he's been just another guy.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: It'll be hard to get rid of the stench of going 1-5 down the stretch last season, which dropped the Jags out of the playoffs. Jacksonville's ownership stood by Pederson this offseason, though 2024 very much feels like his last chance.
The bottom line: It's do or die for Pederson, who's in jeopardy of cementing a reputation as a coach who brings quick success and then goes stale. Lawrence, who has new weapons in Gabriel Davis and Brian Thomas Jr., needs to reach the heights of Mahomes, Allen, and Justin Herbert. Jacksonville also brought in Ryan Nielsen to overhaul a defense that surrendered over 28 points in four of its final six games. There's too much raw talent here for the Jaguars to wrap up four seasons of Lawrence at quarterback with just one playoff appearance.
Kansas City Chiefs
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: Patrick Mahomes is under center. Luckily for them, he is, so a third consecutive Super Bowl seems likely.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: Only a catastrophic spell of injuries could turn the Chiefs into a dumpster fire. But if the offense underperforms - as it did in 2023 when Mahomes averaged a league-low 6.2 air yards per throw - and the defense regresses, that could spell trouble.
Who they need to break out: Xavier Worthy. If Worthy proves to even be half as good at receiving as he is at sprinting, the wideout with the record-breaking 4.21-second 40 time could unlock a dimension of the Chiefs' offense that we haven't seen since Tyreek Hill left.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: There's a ton of mileage on Travis Kelce, who will be 35 years old soon. Kelce looked to have lost half a second last year, averaging a career-low 10.6 yards per reception. Father Time comes for everyone.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: Trent McDuffie has massive shoes to fill after the Chiefs traded starting outside cornerback L'Jarius Sneed. While McDuffie shined down the stretch last season, he'll spend more time on the outside this year.
The bottom line: Until any team proves to be Mahomes' kryptonite or a quarterback can outduel him in the postseason, the Chiefs are still the team to beat in the NFL. But the three-peat could be in jeopardy if the receiving corps isn't as good as advertised and Kelce takes another obvious step back.
Las Vegas Raiders
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: All 31 other teams are disqualified, leaving the Raiders as champions. Seriously, it would be nothing short of a miracle if Gardner Minshew II led this team to greatness.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: The quarterback situation turns out to be a nightmare, causing Davante Adams to rethink his future, and Antonio Pierce proves to be a better leader than actual head coach.
Who they need to break out: Zamir White has the keys to the backfield after Josh Jacobs departed as a free agent. Las Vegas needs another workhorse back, and White had a 51% rushing success rate in 2023. More of that and the Raiders will be happy.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: Marcus Epps is a perfect veteran for a leadership role. Whether that's enough to justify his on-field performance is a different matter. Epps was serviceable in his first season with the Raiders, but his 16.5% missed tackle rate was seventh-worst among all safeties with at least 800 defensive snaps, per PFF.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: Members of the Raiders vouched for Pierce to become their permanent head coach after a strong end to 2023. Pierce enjoyed a great honeymoon phase with the interim tag, but can he replicate that success full time?
The bottom line: Giving an inexperienced coach like Pierce a quarterback tandem of Minshew and Aidan O'Connell feels like shooting yourself in the foot before even starting the race. Let's hope for the best.
Los Angeles Chargers
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: Jim Harbaugh shocks the world as the Chargers' old-school approach works with a modern-day quarterback. Meanwhile, an unknown individual keeps appearing on the opponents' sideline whenever the Chargers are in action. All jokes aside, this team is a work in progress rather than a complete contender, but winning seems to follow the former Michigan coach wherever he goes.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: Joey Bosa can't stay on the field, Khalil Mack slows down, and the lack of credible receiving targets makes Justin Herbert's life miserable, bringing the Harbaugh honeymoon to a swift end.
Who they need to break out: Quentin Johnston or literally any receiver on the roster. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are out. That leaves veterans Joshua Palmer and DJ Chark, rookie Ladd McConkey, and former 2023 first-round pick Johnston to pick up the pieces. If Johnston can't make a name for himself in this receiver room, he may never be able to do so.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: Mack is coming off a 17-sack season. That's good, right? Yes, as long as you forget that six of those came in one game. While 11 sacks is nothing to discredit either, 2024 is still the only double-digit sack campaign the 33-year-old has put up in his last five seasons.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: While Harbaugh inherited a Chargers team in salary-cap hell, he's still accountable for not supplying Herbert with receiving weapons and deciding to draft offensive lineman Joe Alt over wideout Malik Nabers.
The bottom line: Herbert will keep the Chargers alive, and Harbaugh's specialty is getting players to play hard for him. Still, no one is quite sure what Harbaugh's plan is. He inherited a top quarterback, prioritized reinforcing the trenches over furnishing that passer with proven high-end receivers, and then added Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins to lead the backfield. This has all the hallmarks of a transitional season that will bring some frustration along the way.
Miami Dolphins
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: The Dolphins learn how to play their best football in December and January. In two seasons under Mike McDaniel, his teams have fallen off a cliff when it mattered most. Including playoffs, the 2022 Dolphins ended the year on a 1-6 slide, while last year's team lost four of its last six games.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: They stay stagnant. McDaniel won one more game (20) over his first two seasons than Brian Flores did in his last two years (19) as Dolphins head coach. The offense clearly has firepower, but if the defense - which ranked 24th and 22nd in scoring over the last two campaigns - doesn't come around, this Dolphins team may reveal itself as a pretender again. Sometimes that's worse than being a dumpster fire.
Who they need to break out: It would be a huge bonus for the Dolphins' secondary if 2023 second-round cornerback Cam Smith can contribute at a high level this year. He only played 2% of the team's defensive snaps last year under former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: Odell Beckham Jr.'s best days are behind him. Perhaps a role in Miami, where he's behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the depth chart, suits the soon-to-be 32-year-old. On the other hand, he's already on the PUP list, making it hard to see what an aging and slowing receiver can offer to a high-speed offense that relies on yards after the catch.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: The Dolphins made Tua Tagovailoa the fourth highest-paid quarterback in the NFL this offseason with an average annual salary of $53.1 million. He's impressed under McDaniel, but now it's time for him to play like a top-four quarterback from September through January.
The bottom line: It's Year 3 of the McDaniel project and this team still seems like more of a highlight-reel factory than a genuine Super Bowl contender. Tagovailoa, Hill, and Co. will ball out, but will that be enough come January - especially after the defense lost Christian Wilkins? Even with McDaniel's brainpower, it feels like the Dolphins are a cut below the rest of the AFC elite.
New England Patriots
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: Drake Maye is the second coming of Tom Brady. Frankly, the Patriots will consider 2024 a moral victory if Maye and first-year head coach Jerod Mayo provide more positive moments than negative ones.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: Jacoby Brissett and Maye struggle under center, the offensive line is a disaster, an awfully thin receiving corps fails to produce a breakout star, and Mayo shows hints of being another run-of-the-mill Bill Belichick disciple rather than crafting his own coaching identity.
Who they need to break out: The Patriots have a few breakout candidates, perhaps none more crucial than Keion White. The 2023 second-round pick is going to be expected to produce given the uncertainty around Christian Barmore, who's out indefinitely with blood clots, and the trade of Matthew Judon.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: Kendrick Bourne is coming off a torn ACL, but that didn't stop the Patriots from re-signing him to a three-year deal. Still, there's concern as to how he'll bounce back and whether it's worth sending the the 29-year-old out there on a rebuilding, young team full of hungry wideouts like Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, and DeMario Douglas.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: You automatically get this spot if you're following the most successful coach in NFL history. The Patriots don't need Mayo to be the next Belichick, but they do need him to correct course.
The bottom line: 2023 was a nightmare with only four wins, and there's honestly no guarantee the Patriots will win more games in 2024. Still, at least New England has something to look forward to with a rookie quarterback. That's a lot better than a torturous back-and-forth between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. It's too bad moral victories don't count in the standings.
New York Jets
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: The offensive line keeps Aaron Rodgers and his freshly healed Achilles clean, allowing the four-time league MVP to defy modern science in his age-41 season as he authors a marvelous comeback campaign.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: Rodgers doesn't look like himself when he returns. It turns out his Achilles tear has robbed him of his trademark mobility, leaving him a sitting duck against pressure and spelling the end for the quarterback and a few other figures in the Jets organization.
Who they need to break out: It's time for at least one of the Jets' former first-round edge rushers to deliver a monster year with Bryce Huff (last season's team leader in sacks) gone and Haason Reddick still holding out. Jermaine Johnson went to his first Pro Bowl in 2023 after 7.5 sacks, but he'll be counted on to reach double digits this time around. Last year's first-rounder, Will McDonald IV, needs to make a huge sophomore leap after a three-sack rookie campaign.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: Tyron Smith isn't getting any younger. At age 33, the veteran tackle hasn't played a full season since 2015, which was almost a decade ago. If he slips up or misses time, rookie first-round pick Olu Fashanu may take the job and run with it.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: Robert Saleh has been head coach for three seasons and has maxed out at seven wins. Joe Douglas has been GM since 2019, and the Jets haven't cracked .500 under his guidance. After going all-in on Rodgers, these two are running out of time to get results.
The bottom line: There is a realistic scenario where the Jets are an utter disaster in 2024, and it's easier to imagine than the one where New York reaches the Super Bowl. Relying on a 41-year-old returning from an Achilles tear to not just be serviceable, but to lift a franchise to Super Bowl contention is a hell of a gamble.
Pittsburgh Steelers
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: Russell Wilson finds a time machine. In a perfect world, Justin Fields never sees the field for the Steelers because the veteran quarterback turns back the clock with George Pickens at his disposal, and Arthur Smith's rushing attack feasts on opposing defenses.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: Wilson and Fields are who we thought they were. The Steelers realize why their top two quarterbacks are making just under $3 million combined as they go another year without a serious answer at the position.
Who they need to break out: Keeanu Benton showed glimpses of being a star in his rookie campaign with multiple pressures in eight games, per PFF. Now he needs to blossom into the real thing, especially as Cameron Heyward ages and enters a contract year.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: Wilson was allowed to leave Seattle before Denver essentially ran him out of town. Pittsburgh could be his last NFL stop if he doesn't put it together.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: Mike Tomlin has worked miracles in recent years, turning subpar quarterback situations into winning records. However, patience is wearing thin as he searches for his first playoff win since the 2016 season.
The bottom line: Tomlin went 10-7 with the definition of mediocrity at quarterback last year. The Steelers can only improve, right? Not so fast. The Steelers eked out wins in a lot of close games. Volatility in their one-score game outcomes, bad quarterback play from Wilson or Fields, or severe injuries to other areas of the roster could easily lead to significant regression.
Tennessee Titans
They won't win the Super Bowl unless: Brian Callahan guides Will Levis through a developmental leap that resembles Burrow's 2021 season and the defense plays as well on the field as it projects to on paper.
They'll be a dumpster fire if: Levis, who threw four touchdowns in his first career start but just four across his next eight games, doesn't live up to his draft billing. There's a lot to like about Levis, but he had the lowest on-target percentage (67.1%) out of qualified passers in 2023, per Pro Football Reference.
Who they need to break out: The Titans went all-in on their second-year quarterback, bringing in Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, and Tony Pollard plus hiring a quarterback-friendly coach. Tennessee's given Levis every weapon necessary to succeed; now it's up to him.
Who's at risk of full-blown decline: We'll give Boyd a break for his pedestrian 2023 campaign with the Bengals since Burrow was injured. Boyd's 10 yards per reception represented a career worst as his average depth of target cratered from 9.2 yards to 6.5, per Pro Football Reference. One bad year could be a fluke, but another inefficient season might mark the beginning of the end.
Who's under the most pressure to perform: Don't overestimate Pollard's job security based on the three-year deal he signed with the Titans this offseason. Second-year back Tyjae Spears could easily eat into his workload if Pollard struggles early.
The bottom line: The Titans are exciting on paper, and Levis has a basketful of toys. But excitement can fade quickly after the pads go on in Week 1. Outside of a few spurts, Levis didn't make a good impression in his rookie year. This Titans season goes belly-up if he doesn't take a big enough step.