Week 6 vs. Houston Texans
In the win over the Bills last Tuesday Ryan Tannehill was very efficient, completing 75% of his passes for 195 yards and three TDs. He also ran for 42 yards and another score. While the passing yardage was a season low, it was already the second time in ’20 Tannehill accounted for four touchdowns. It’ll be a quick turnaround on Sunday against a Texans’ defense that is eighth best at stopping the pass; however, Tannehill is still a top QB play.
Week 5 vs. Buffalo Bills
In the narrow win against the Vikings two weeks ago Ryan Tannehill failed to throw for a score but was over 300 yards for the first time this season. He’s been without top WR A.J. Brown the past two contests but should have him as an option at home versus the Bills. However, it now looks like Corey Davis will be out due to COVID-19. Buffalo has the sixth worst pass defense so consider Tannehill a low QB1 option.
Week 4 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
In the narrow win against the Vikings last week Ryan Tannehill failed to throw for a score but was over 300 yards for the first time this season. He’s been without top WR A.J. Brown the past two contests and will likely not have him as an option at home versus the Steelers. Pittsburgh owns the second-best overall defense and is 12th at stopping the pass, so consider Tannehill at QB2 option.
UPDATE: THIS WEEK4 GAME HAS BEEN POSTPONED
Week 3 at Minnesota Vikings
Without his top WR A.J. Brown last week versus the Jags, Ryan Tannehill wasn’t fazed, completing 75% of his attempts for 239 yards and four TDs – two to TE Jonnu Smith. Tannehill helped Tennessee build a two-score lead early and then through the middle of the game relied on the legs of Derrick Henry, until Jacksonville was able to knot the contest in the fourth quarter. Brown should return on Sunday against a Vikings defense that is allowing over 280 passing yards per game so far. Consider Tannehill a low QB1 start.
Week 2 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
On Monday night in Denver, Ryan Tannehill did just enough to lead his team to a win. He threw for a little under 250 yards and two touchdowns – both to TEs. A bit surprising was that Corey Davis and Adam Humphries, not A.J. Brown, were the team’s leading WRs. Philip Rivers threw for 363 yards last week against the Jags, so Tennessee’s passing attack has a great matchup at home. However, look for the Titans to again pound the opposition with a steady dose of Derrick Henry, making Tannehill a low QB1 play.
Week 1 – Ryan Tannehill at Denver Broncos
After taking over for Marcus Mariota in Week 7 last year, Ryan Tannehill sparked what was a stagnant Titans offense, nearly leading the team to the Super Bowl. Tennessee will still rely on the legs of Derrick Henry, allowing for the ground game to set up the pass. Tannehill completed 70 percent of his passes in ’19 and has one of the best weapons in A.J. Brown. However, even without Von Miller, the Broncos defense should create havoc, making Tannehill just a QB2 play on Monday night.
Fantasy Upside
After taking over fulltime for Marcus Mariota in Week 7 last season, Ryan Tannehill finished with a 7-3 record, leading his team to within a game of the Super Bowl. On the year he played in 12 games, totaling over 2,700 passing yards and 22 TDs versus only six INTs. He remained a weapon with his legs too, rushing for 185 yards and four more scores. Tannehill threw for over 300 yards three times with multiple touchdown tosses in nine of the 10 games he started. During his career he has tossed for over 4,000 yards twice and posted a career-most 27 TDs in ’14.
Fantasy Downside
With the Titans in the lead for much of the three playoff games Tannehill became a game-manager, totaling just 369 yards through the air – although he did account for six TDs in those contests. The 32-year-old failed to reach 200 passing yards in four of his 10 regular season starts and was sacked 31 times in 11 of the outings in which he played at least a half. The Titans are a run-first offense, which limits the number of pass plays Tannehill receives.
Bottom Line
With the help of Derrick Henry keeping defenses honest last season, Tannehill completed 70 percent of his passes for 9.6 yards per attempt – both career highs. During his first four professional seasons he averaged 3,865 yards through the air and 23 total TDs. With one of the most explosive WRs in A.J. Brown, Tannehill’s numbers can skyrocket with just a few short passes. Heading into the ’20 season, Tannehill is a QB2 option, but has the potential to move into the QB1 territory based on his performance since becoming a starter with Tennessee.
Week 17 at Houston Texans
Ryan Tannehill continued his hot play last week with 272 yards and three touchdowns. That was his sixth consecutive game with multiple touchdowns, making him a viable fantasy play each week. He just faced the Texans two weeks ago at home and threw for 279 yards and two scores while rushing for another, so that's probably right around the floor. The Titans need a win to get into the postseason, so there's no doubt Tannehill is going to be motivated. He's a QB1 play this week.
Week 16 vs. New Orleans Saints
Ryan Tannehill threw for 279 yards and a touchdown with one interception and also ran for 10 yards and a score, giving you nice bang for the buck if he was in your lineup last week. The Saints have allowed 23 touchdown passes and, just as importantly, four rushing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks this season. Tannehill also could be playing from behind in this game. He's a top start this week at home, having thrown for at least two touchdowns in each of his past five starts.
Week 15 vs. Houston Texans
Have we seen enough Ryan Tannehill to know he's the real deal in this offense? Sure. Especially with a smash matchup this week. Tannehill threw for 391 yards and three touchdowns with one interception in a similar matchup last week with a soft Raiders defense. Tannehill has produced at least two touchdown passes in six of his seven starts. The Texans should score in this one to keep Tannehill throwing, as well. He's a solid, if surprising, QB1 play this week.
