NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Please let this mailbag help you feel connected to your team as you pass the time between now and kick off of its playoff opener.

I also encourage you to go back and review the week of work here to help get you ready. You'll find a review of just how good Ryan Tannehill's passing production was for what comes with a 2,000-yard rusher, a look at how Derrick Henry's elusiveness keys his durability, five big thoughts about the team right now and Blake Beddingfield's monster scouting preview.

Now, onto the best of the mail.

Keith Stevenson Despite our overall poor performance on defence, Malcolm Butler has shown up & balled every game, plays with heart on his sleeve. He gets alot of heat from fans but i feel only because he is one of our best we all expect more. What's your take?

NeverSatisfied

I haven’t seen Butler take much heat this year. Given how poor the defense has been, I think most fans realize Malcolm Butler is a fighter and while he’ll lose some plays he’s got a mentality that is lacking in a lot of other spots that the Titans need in much heavier doses.

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Paul Kuharsky has covered the Tennessee Titans since 1996, first for The Tennessean, then ESPN.com and now independently at paulkuharsky.com. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee and one of the longest-tenured Titans beat reporters in the franchise's history.

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