2009 Tennessee Titans NFL Football Predictions

NFL football predictions" style="width: 150px; height: 100px" align="right" title="NFL football predictions" height="100" width="150" />2009 Tennessee Titans Predictions
Preview courtesy of Ted Sevransky, An award-winning professional football handicapper featured on Touthouse.com. If you are interested in football betting this season, be sure to buy Ted Sevransky’s football picks at Touthouse.com

Overview:
Jeff Fisher is the longest tenured head coach in the NFL, entering his 15th year on the job. Fisher’s job status is as secure as any coach in the NFL, and for good reason – his teams have consistently overachieved. Last year was no exception, as the Titans were projected to be a .500 level squad, but they ended up as the last remaining unbeaten team in the NFL, finishing with a 13-3 mark and a coveted AFC South title. As usual, his Titans excelled when stepping up in class, winning straight up all three times that they were installed as underdogs by the betting marketplace.

With 23 regular season victories over the last two years, the Titans enter the 2009 campaign still searching for their first playoff victory since 2003. Even with a roster that returns 20 of the 22 starters from last year’s squad, in the ultra-competitive AFC South, the Titans may have to wait another year (or two, or three) before ending that long playoff victory drought.

Offense:
The Titans success last year was predicated by their ability to run the football, with the LenDale White/Chris Johnson duo carrying Tennessee to the #7 ranked rush offense in the league. The Titans were 21st in offensive yardage and 27th in passing offense, yet they finished with the 14th ranked scoring offense due to the success of their ground based red zone attack; the third most productive red zone offense in the league.

Kerry Collins came off the bench and into the starting lineup in Week 2 last year and put together a solid, if unspectacular campaign. At 37 years old, coming off his first 16 game season since 2003, realistically it will be difficult for Collins to match his lack of mistakes from ’08, when he threw only seven interceptions, lost only one fumble and was sacked only eight times in 415 passing attempts. If Collins struggles, Vince Young supporters will clamor for his return to the starting lineup, creating the potential for quarterback controversy down the line.

Tennessee’s stellar rushing numbers and avoidance of sacks last year speaks volumes about their offensive line. The unit returns intact for 2009, although OL anchor, pro bowler Kevin Mawae, celebrated his 38th birthday in the offseason and could see age finally start to catch up with him. The Titans threw money at free agent WR Nate Washington from Pittsburgh and drafted Kenny Britt out of Rutgers with their first round pick in an effort to bolster a receiving corps that was utterly devoid of playmakers last year.

Defense:
Don’t underestimate the effect of Albert Haynesworth’s departure in free agency. In recent years, the Titans went 28-11 SU with the most dominant defensive tackle in football on the field but only 3-7 SU without him. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz left to take the Detroit Lions head coaching job in the offseason, promoting Chuck Cecil from within to take the gig.

Cecil should be concerned about his cornerbacks. Cortland Finnigan came out of nowhere to earn a pro bowl berth last year, but a repeat of that performance isn’t automatic. On the other side, 34 year old Nick Harper will be pushed by veteran retread DeMarcus Faggins and rookie Ryan Mouton out of Hawaii. A defense that ranked in the Top Ten against both the run and the pass last year could slide down a notch or two in ’09.

Schedule:
Last year, the Titans played one of the weaker slates in the NFL, beating only three playoff teams during the regular season while feasting on the likes of Cinci, KC, Detroit, Cleveland and Jacksonville (twice). In addition, Tennessee closed out the regular season with a +14 turnover margin, good for second best in the NFL. Things toughen up considerably in ’09. Based on projections that use the 2009 season Over/Under win totals as their basis, Tennessee plays the third toughest slate in the league this year. With four tough road games prior to their bye week (at Pittsburgh, New York Jets, Jacksonville and New England), don’t expect another 10-0 start like they enjoyed last year.