AFC South: One Quarter Left
By Josh McSwain
Tennessee Titans
Remaining schedule: Denver, @Kansas City, @Jacksonville, Houston
Division record: 1-3
This team is largely behind the eight ball to get into the playoffs. Even if optimistically they go 3-1 over their last four, both of the other teams need to go 2-2 or worse. They are guaranteed to have a worse division record than the Texans and have been swept by the Colts.
Still, the biggest thing is they have not been there before. Marcus Mariota has not felt the pressure of a playoff run and neither have many of their players or head coach.
They have leaned on the running game all year as DeMarco Murray has revived the running game which was nonexistent last season. With 1,043 rushing yards, he is second in the league behind only Ezekiel Elliott. They are a big and tough offensive line that grinds down opponents and imposes their will on them.
Defensively, they have been solid against the run all year but have had their issues in the secondary. That is no fault of Brian Orakpo, who has had a good year rushing the passer. Fortunately, none of their last four opponents have stellar passing attacks.
Predicted final record: 7-9 or 8-8. If Trevor Siemian plays for the Broncos on Sunday then I think the Broncos win, if not I’ll say the Titans win. I have them losing in Kansas City and then in a rare display of pride the Jaguars upset them in week 16 before the they return the favor and upset the Texans in week 17.
Predicted final place: Third