I was going to write an article about something other than the Titans, but then I saw a statement about them that I felt I had to respond to. Please feel free to comment on my story and agree/disagree with me.
MYTH: "nobody outside the 615 area code believes the Titans have a legitimate shot at an unblemished record like New England did in 2007" —Alex Marvez, October 21, 2008
FACT: Really? Because at this time last year, the Patriots had the same chance of going undefeated as the Titans do now. The Titans are winning in a completely different style than the Patriots did last year, but the end result is the same: they're still winning.
The Patriots last year had such a high-powered passing attack that the running game was almost an afterthought. The Titans have such a strong running game (they ran for over 300 yards in Kansas City last week) that it makes up for their complete lack of a passing game.
While the Patriots had Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Donte Stallworth, the Titans seem to value run-blocking receivers a lot more than they value receivers who can make big catches. While it frustrates the fans, it seems to be working.
On defense, the Patriots were pretty good, but there offense scored so much that it was able to take some pressure off of the defense. On the other hand, the Titans use their dominant defense to take pressure off of the offense.
Though on any given Sunday, a team's chances of winning are 50-50, the remainder of the Titans' schedule shouldn't present too much of a challenge for them. It's hard to see any losses coming from inside their division.
Right now, the Colts' biggest weakness is stopping the run. The Titans' biggest strength is running the ball. Because of this, along with Peyton Manning's inconsistency due largely to his offseason knee surgery, the Titans should be able to manhandle the Colts.
The Jaguars' offensive line is plagued with injuries, making it even easier for the Titans to get after the quarterback. They already sacked David Garrard NINE times in their first victory over the Jaguars. They should be able to take care of business when they play them again.
The Texans? Not in this decade.
In fact, it's hard to see the Titans losing to any team in the AFC on their schedule. Due to the strength of the AFC South last year, the Titans finished third in their division with a 10-6 record. That meant they were scheduled to play the third-place team in the AFC West and East, the Chiefs and the Jets.
They already steamrolled the Chiefs, and Brett Favre can't make the Jets play better defense.
The Titans have to play every team in the AFC North, and they've already beaten the Bengals and the Ravens. The Browns aren't as talented as people like to believe they are, and the Titans' defensive line will absolutely dominate the Steelers' weak offensive line. If Roethlisberger hasn't already been injured by Week 16 due to poor pass protection, then I predict he will be when he plays the Titans.
In no way do I wish this to come true. I absolutely hate seeing any player get hurt. But I'm just predicting that these two lines will be a highly unfavorable matchup for Big Ben.
This leaves us with the Titans losing to someone in the NFC North, most likely the Lions. Just kidding. The Titans will win on Thanksgiving.
The Bears are very similar to the Titans, with their physical defense, reliance on the running game, and a solid game-manager at quarterback. This will be the Titans' biggest challenge of the year, and if I had to pick one game for the Titans to lose, it would be this one.
The Packers are a mystery to me. This team is doing well with Aaron Rodgers, but if his shoulder's already hurting, Brian Brohm or Matt Flynn might start against the Titans.
Overall, it's impossible to predict the outcome of every single game, so this is all speculation. I know it sounds like a huge task to go undefeated, and I'm not even saying I think it's definitely going to happen. But it's possible to make a case for the Titans to win each game when you look at them individually.
I don't know for a fact that the Titans will go undefeated. However, nobody knows for a fact that they won't either. So let's not write them off until they actually lose a game.
9 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Mark Pruitt 8 months ago
I think you're too excited about TN. They are 6-0, and it is quite an accomplishment. They've built that record with victories over the Jaguars (not living up to pre season hype), the Bungles (not living at all), the Texans, the Vikings (another team greatly hyped), the Ravens (their offense doesn't offend anyone), and the Chiefs.
A very questionable roughing the passer call kept a drive alive and they eventually won one game. They still have to play the Colts twice, the improved Jaguars and Texans again in their stadiums, and the Packers and Bears are not going to mail the games in. Don't forget they still have to play Pittsburgh, and the way Harrison and Woodley are playing, Big Ben may not be the only QB getting knocked around in that game.
What happens if Collins, White, or one of their defenders gets hurt and misses time?
While I think Tennessee is a good team, I don't think they are as good as their record indicates. I'm thinking somewhere around 11-5 for the season, and out in the first round of the playoffs. Remember, you heard it here first.
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Hank K. 8 months ago
Look what happened to the Colts in Green Bay. They've still got issues, and reread what I said about why the Titans should handle the Colts easily. As far as the Jaguars, I wouldn't call them improved yet, and the Texans are a joke. I'm thinking Roethlisberger will be hurt long before Week 16, though I'm hoping against his being injured.
If White or Chris Johnson gets hurt, they have Chris Henry, who's balanced enough to fill the role of either of the Tennessee RBs, though not as well. They'll still be OK there, since they got rid of Chris Brown, who fumbled in the red zone so many times last year that it made their entire running game look bad.
If Collins gets hurt, they've got Vince Young. His injury and losing his starting job will have caused him to desire to compete more, and he will have improved quite a bit.
They've got a ridiculous amount of depth on defense, and the receivers are all equally terrible at catching passes, so injuries there won't make a difference.
I also said Chicago and Green Bay would be their toughest games. I'm not predicting they'll go undefeated, I'm just saying that due to their schedule and the way other teams are playing right now, it's possible. But it's still possible for them to go 6-10, so we'll just have to watch and see.
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Andrew Tirrell 8 months ago
As much as the Patriots were very hyped during their run last year, I think any of them might admit that it took extraordinary luck to go 16-0, and that even going 15-1 or 14-2 requires a lot of good fortune. Between injuries, fluke performances, and plain old bad days, it's something that is very unlikely, regardless of how well a team is put together.
The Titans showed in their game against Baltimore how vulnerable they are to a solid defense. I think that will make it tough for them to go all the way.
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William Berry 8 months ago
Patriot fan here. After the Eagles game in week 12, the league figured out the Brady to Moss stuff. (Well as much as they could.)
Oh, the running game did not suck. When teams started to roll a safety over the top of Moss it opened up the running attack for Maroney. (Earlier in the season they had Sammy Morris, but with the flash of the passing game the running game gets ignored.)
From week 12 on it was "Any given Sunday" vs. the Patriots, and weird luck gave the Patriots wins in places like Baltimore.
"Any given Sunday" is a tough opponent, but beatable. (It helps if it is working through teams that self-destruct.:))
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Hank K. 8 months ago
When I said the running game was an afterthought, I was referring to how much it was used, not the talent level. I think Lawrence (sp?) Maroney would be a great starting RB for any team in the NFL that liked to run. The Patriots just passed so much that Maroney never got his chance to shine.
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TR 8 months ago
I loved what I saw last night.
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Zachary Hueras 8 months ago
One note: Roethlesberger has been playing with the shittiest pass-blocking line since his rookie career. His entire game is based around his toughness and his ability to make throws on the move outside of the pocket. It doesn't always work, but the man is the best at it if you ask me.
This coming from a Pats fan, mind you.
I'm inclined to say that the Titans will not go undefeated during the regular season. This is a transitional period in the NFL and every team has a good chance of winning on any given day. As I'm sure you know, the bigger that W column becomes with the L staying at 0, the more teams are going to throw at you. Happened to us down the stretch last year. :)
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Hank K. 8 months ago
I agree with you 100% about Roethlisberger, and with Brady hurt and Manning and Favre playing at less than their usual levels, Roethlisberger is easily the best QB in the league. But the offensive line absolutely HAS to protect him; they're playing very physical defenses and even Roethlisberger needs some semblance of pass protection.
And the Titans' defense is up to the challenge. If they can beat the Packers and the Bears then I'll start to take seriously the possibility of the Titans going undefeated. Until then, this is just an interesting hypothetical discussion for me.
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William Berry 8 months ago
"Any Given Sunday" is a tough opponent.
Oddly losing to a previously winless Lions messing up there draft prospects would not surprise me.
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