Jets vs. Titans: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

The New York Jets will play the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football this week, and as ludicrous as it may be, they'll do so with a legitimate shot of still making the playoffs.

Despite frequently appearing on lists of the year's biggest disappointments, the Jets (6-7) entered Week 15 only one game back of the final AFC Wild Card spot. They don't control their own fate, but with a softie schedule in front of them (combined record of their remaining opponents: 14-25), the postseason is more than just a pipe dream.

They can't afford to slip up, though, which could be easier said than done against the pesky Titans (4-9). Tennessee came up short in their upset bid against the Colts last week, but they showed a renewed sense of spunk, which is always a good sign at this stage of the season.

The Titans are trying to do the nation a favor by eliminating the Jets from playoff contention—and, ostensibly, from our morning dose of SportsCenter. 

Let's take a closer look and see if they have what it takes:

When: Monday, Dec. 17th – 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: LP Field, Nashville, Tenn.

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3

Spread: Tennessee - 2 (via VegasInsider.com – LVH)

That fact that Tennessee—losers of five of their last six games—is favored against the Jets says all you need to know about Gang Green's preposterous playoff hopes.

Things have been anything but smooth in New York this year, but the numbers still suggest that they should win this game: Football Outsiders ranks them 16.3 DVOA points higher than the Titans in overall team efficiency.

Still, they just don't pass the eye test. Not that the Titans do, either, but still.

Tennessee pulled an upset over Pittsburgh the last time they played a home game in primetime. This won't be an upset—again, the Titans are technically favored—but it should be more of the same.

Lay the points.

Over/Under: 41.0 (via VegasInsider.com – LVH)

The Titans and Jets rank 28th and 29th, respectively, in Football Outsiders' offensive efficiency rankings. The only teams who rank lower are Jacksonville, Kansas City and Arizona.

That's far from elite company.

And yet, this total ended up surprisingly high for a Jets game. The only over/under line they've had over 40 since Week 7 was against New England.

In fact, if you add up the total from New York's past two contests, it comes out to 40—a point less than the total for this one game.

Take the under with confidence.

New York Jets Injury Report (via USA Today – as of 12/13/12)

Player	Injury	Status
WR Braylon Edwards	Hamstring	Questionable
LB Bryan Thomas	Pectoral	Questionable
DT Damon Harrison	Ankle	Questionable
WR Stephen Hill	Knee	Questionable
LB Ricky Sapp	Ankle	Questionable
WR Clyde Gates	Concussion	Questionable
QB Tim Tebow	Ribs	Questionable

Tennessee Titans Injury Report (via USA Today – as of 12/13/12)

Player	Injury	Status
WR Damian Williams	Hamstring	Questionable
LB Colin McCarthy	Concussion	Questionable
WR Lavelle Hawkins	Ankle	Questionable

Fantasy Big Plays

New York Jets: WR Jeremy Kerley

Nope, I can't believe I'm recommending a member of New York's passing game either.

Kerley has been the closest thing that the Jets have had to an offensive weapon this season. His production has tailed off considerably as of late, but his early season success was a testament to his potential.

As the Jets' de facto top receiver, he could be in store for a good day against the Titans: According to Football Outsiders, Tennessee's defense ranks 30th against opposing No. 1 receivers.

Kerley should have no problem getting open on Monday night. Whether or not the ball actually gets to him is another question entirely.

Tennessee Titans: RB Chris Johnson

He's not the Chris Johnson we saw post 2,000 yards a few years back, but he's also certainly not the shell of a rusher we saw last season.

The speedy back from ECU topped the 1,000-yard mark last week, and could be in store for even more success against the Jets. Even though New York is stout defending the pass, Football Outsiders ranks them 19th in defending the run.

After five straight games with 90-plus total yards and a 4.7-plus yards per carry average, Johnson has now gone three straight games without matching either of those benchmarks.

He's due to break loose, and this could be the perfect game to do just that.

Key to Victory: Quarterback Play

I know, I know, I know. It's boring and it's hackneyed and it's trite. But can you honestly think of two teams who need some consistent play under center more than these two?

Jake Locker has at least brought signs of life to the Titans' passing game. He's surpassed 260 passing yards, 20 rushing yards and one touchdown in each of the past three weeks. The seven interceptions over that span are inexcusable, but at least he's given them something to work with.

Mark Sanchez has been...well, what can you say that hasn't already been said? Outside of a garbage-time-inflated performance against New England (a game which included the low-light of the season), he hasn't thrown for 200 yards since October.

Whichever quarterback more adequately manages their deficiencies should come out victorious in this one.

Prediction

It'd be a lot easier to pick against New York if they weren't playing the maddeningly inconsistent Titans. Tennessee has proven capable of stringing together four good quarters (see: November, 11th vs. Miami), but they haven't done so on a reliable basis.

Fortunately, four good quarters might not be a requisite for beating the hapless Jets.

A win here for the Jets would keep them in playoff contention for another week. I like to think the Football Gods are kinder than that.

Predicted Final Score: Tennessee 24, New York 16