What Is 2016 Tennessee Titans football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Tennessee Titans finished the NFL season with a 9-7 record, marking an improvement from their 3-13 record in 2015. Led by head coach Mike Mularkey and quarterback Marcus Mariota, they secured an AFC Wild Card playoff berth but lost to the New England Patriots in the Wild Card round.

Key Facts

Finished the 2016 regular season with a 9-7 record
Improved from a 3-13 record in 2015 to make the playoffs
Won the AFC South division in 2016 under head coach Mike Mularkey
Quarterback Marcus Mariota threw for 2,915 yards and 19 touchdowns
Lost 35-14 to the New England Patriots in the Wild Card round

Overview

The 2016 Tennessee Titans season represented a significant turnaround for the franchise after years of struggling at the bottom of the AFC standings. After finishing 3-13 in 2015, the team improved to 9-7 in 2016 under first-year head coach Mike Mularkey, capturing the AFC South division title and earning a playoff berth.

This resurgence was fueled by a revitalized offense and a much-improved defense, led by key players like quarterback Marcus Mariota, running back DeMarco Murray, and defensive end Jurrell Casey. The Titans’ success in 2016 marked their first winning season and playoff appearance since 2008, signaling a new era for the franchise.

Record improvement: The Titans improved by six wins, going from 3-13 in 2015 to 9-7 in 2016, one of the largest year-over-year turnarounds in the NFL that season.
Division title: They won the AFC South with a 9-7 record, edging out the Houston Texans, who also finished 9-7 but lost the tiebreaker due to a head-to-head loss.
Head coach:Mike Mularkey, hired in January 2016, became the first Titans coach since Jeff Fisher in 2008 to lead the team to a winning record and playoff appearance.
Quarterback performance:Marcus Mariota threw for 2,915 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, showing marked improvement in his second NFL season.
Playoff appearance: The Titans qualified for the postseason as a Wild Card team but were eliminated by the New England Patriots 35-14 in the Wild Card round.

How It Works

The 2016 Titans' success was built on a balanced offensive attack, a tough defensive line, and strong special teams play. Their season-long strategy emphasized a run-heavy offense and aggressive defense, which allowed them to control games and limit opponents’ scoring opportunities.

Run-first offense: The Titans relied on DeMarco Murray, who rushed for 1,287 yards and nine touchdowns, helping establish a physical ground game that ranked among the league’s top 10.
Defensive line strength:Jurrell Casey anchored the defensive line with 7.5 sacks and 53 tackles, consistently pressuring quarterbacks and disrupting opposing backfields.
Special teams impact: Kicker Ryan Succop made 27 of 30 field goals (90%), providing reliable scoring in close games throughout the season.
Third-down efficiency: The Titans converted 38.7% of third downs, ranking 11th in the NFL, a key factor in sustaining drives and controlling game tempo.
Turnover margin: They finished with a +3 turnover margin, forcing 21 turnovers while committing only 18, a crucial element in their close-game success.
Home-field advantage: The Titans went 6-2 at Nissan Stadium, one of the best home records in the AFC, giving them a solid foundation for division wins.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2016 Titans' performance can be better understood when compared to previous seasons and division rivals:

Season	Record	Division Finish	Playoffs	Head Coach
2014	2-14	4th (AFC South)	No	Kenny Washington (interim)
2015	3-13	4th (AFC South)	No	Mike Mularkey (final 3 games)
2016	9-7	1st (AFC South)	Yes (Lost in Wild Card)	Mike Mularkey
2017	9-7	2nd (AFC South)	Yes (Lost in Divisional)	Mike Mularkey
2018	9-7	2nd (AFC South)	No	Mike Vrabel

The table shows a clear upward trajectory for the Titans beginning in 2016. After years of subpar performance, the 2016 season marked the first of three consecutive 9-7 campaigns, establishing the team as a consistent playoff contender in the AFC. The coaching stability under Mularkey and the emergence of young talent like Mariota and tight end Delanie Walker were pivotal in this transformation.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was a turning point for the Titans franchise, restoring hope and competitiveness after a prolonged rebuilding phase. It laid the foundation for future success, including deep playoff runs in later years.

Franchise revival: The 2016 season ended a seven-year playoff drought, the longest in franchise history, restoring credibility to the organization.
Player development:Marcus Mariota took a major step forward, throwing for over 2,900 yards and proving he could lead a winning team.
Draft impact: The team’s improved performance reduced draft priority, but the 2016 season validated earlier draft picks like Mariota (2015) and Jack Conklin (2016).
Coaching legacy:Mike Mularkey earned Coach of the Year consideration for turning around a losing team in one season, a rare achievement in the NFL.
Division dominance: Winning the AFC South in 2016 gave the Titans crucial confidence and home-field experience for future seasons.
Fan engagement: Attendance and TV ratings in Tennessee increased significantly, reflecting renewed fan interest in the team.

The 2016 Titans season remains a landmark year in franchise history, symbolizing resilience and the payoff of long-term rebuilding. It proved that with the right leadership and player development, a struggling team could quickly return to relevance in the NFL.