Tennessee Titans: 5 Reasons Matt Hasselbeck Can Lead Titans to Playoffs

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Matt Hasselbeck has been impressive since he joined the Tennessee Titans this season, leading them to a 3-1 record after four weeks.

The team in general looks solid with a young defense and new head coach starting a new era in Nashville. The Titans' division is not as strong as it has been in the past, which could play into the their hands later in the season.

Here are five reasons, on the offensive side of the ball, why Hasselbeck can keep up this promising start and lead the Titans into the playoffs.

Experience and Proven Quality

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Hasselbeck has done it all before.

The 36-year-old has big playoff experience. During his illustrious Seattle Seahawks career from 2001-2010, he took his team to the playoffs six times, including a stretch of five straight postseasons from 2003-2007.

He went all the way to the Super Bowl in 2005 and has started 11 playoff games in total.

Just when people thought his career was winding down (and that his body was breaking down), he managed to lead the Seahawks back to the playoffs one last time, throwing seven touchdowns in two playoff games, which included a famous upset of the defending Super Bowl champions, the New Orleans Saints.

He's still got what it takes and he simply finds a way to win. He is a proven performer with three Pro Bowl appearance to his name.

Game Management

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Hasselbeck appears to have control of his offense.

The Titans have shown an ability to keep the offence on the field so far this season—even without a running game—and Hasselbeck is proving very efficient at leading scoring drives.

Tennessee has been very selective with its passing, with Hasselbeck sitting just 19th in the NFL for pass attempts, but has still found its way to the end zone on eight occasions through the air.

Hasselbeck also holds the fourth-best quarterback rating of 104.7.

Chris Johnson

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Chris Johnson is off to a remarkably slow start in 2011 with just 199 rushing yards through the first four weeks, an average of 2.9 yards per carry.

His offseason contract holdout has obviously affected his play, but there were better signs in Week 4 against the Browns when Johnson cracked 100 yards for the first time this season.

One could argue that he has had his four weeks of preseason now, as he missed a lot of time with the contract issues, and that he is ready to start his season from here.

Johnson has too much speed and talent to be contained every week, which will help Hasselbeck, and as he improves he will get more attention, thus giving Hasselbeck more time and options.

And of course, if Johnson does continue to get shut down running the ball he can always get more involved in the passing game.

A Surprising Deep Passing Game

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Despite losing Kenny Britt for the season, the Titans are still tied for first in the NFL for passes thrown 40 or more yards.

Tennessee has managed this five times, and although that number can expect to slow without Britt out wide, the Titans are proving good exponents of getting yards after the catch.

The likes of Nate Washington and Jared Cook have shown the potential to turn their catches into long gains, while Chris Johnson's speed is always a threat for long passing plays on any screen passes he picks up.

In Jonhson's "absence" Hasselbeck has thrown eight passing touchdowns with the third-best passing yards average in the league to keep the offense ticking over.

Once Johnson is back to his best, the Titans have the potential to become a dual threat on offense.

The Offensive Line Will Keep Him Healthy

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

After Hasselbeck's struggles in the last couple of seasons to stay fit and on the field, he finally appears 100 percent again.

He also finds himself in a good situation with the Titans offensive line, which has been one of the most consistent units in football over the past few seasons.

New head coach Mike Munchak, the Titans offensive line coach from 1997-2010, has this unit well drilled and will be making sure it continues to protect its man in the pocket.

The line has started 2011 up to its usual high standards with Hasselbeck being sacked just four times in four games, while allowing the third-fewest quarterback hits.

If the linemen keep this up, it will go a long way to ensuring Hasselbeck stays on the field and therefore not exposing rookie quarterback Jake Locker, who is sitting and learning behind the veteran.