Tennessee Titans 2011: 10 Scenarios That Would Put Them in the Postseason

There are many scenarios that go into any given team making the playoffs in the NFL.

Whether it's key injuries to division rivals, an unexpected player getting hot, or a star player living up to their potential, there's always plenty of factors that contribute.

Going into the 2011 season the Tennessee Titans are generally viewed as a last place team, but a few lucky breaks could easily shift things the opposite direction.

Although some of these scenarios may be a long shot, here's ten scenarios that would almost certainly put the Titans in the playoffs.

A Shortened Season Due to the Lockout

The NFL lockout is now well past the 100-day mark, and training camps are inching closer and closer.

Simple logic would say that a shortened season benefits a less talented team like the Titans because the sample is smaller.

Just like an upset is more likely in a three-game series as opposed to a seven-game series, the same rule of thumb applies in this situation.

If the season is shortened to 12 games or less, then it would give the Titans a better chance to sneak into the playoffs somehow.

Their schedule definitely isn't all that scary when you look at it, so stringing together a few wins in a short season would increase the odds of making the postseason greatly.

Most likely an agreement will be reached, and that's a good thing. If for some reason the lockout does affect the normal 16-game schedule, then you have to find the silver lining somewhere.

Chris Johnson Reaches 2,000 Rushing Yards Again

In comparison to what Chris Johnson was able to do in 2009, last season was a huge setback for the electrifying running back.

In whatever way Johnson usually performs, the Titans tend to follow the same trend.

Last season the Titans lost plenty of game due to Johnson being held well under 100 yards, and sometimes by great margins.

However, Johnson has been vocal this offseason about how he realizes that he's a major key to the success of the Titans. He understands the task at hand, and I'm sure he's prepared to make another run at 2,000.

If he's able to accomplish that extraordinary feat once again, the Titans will be winning plenty of ball games.

Marc Mariani Makes an Instant Impact on Offense

This is something I've echoed time and time again this offseason, and it's because it bear repeating.

Marc Mariani's ability potential to turn short completions into long completions could instantly turn the Titans offense from an average one into one of the more electrifying offenses in the AFC. He's just that good in my mind.

Now he's basically a rookie heading into next season because he's never even received a target in a regular season NFL game, so there is low probability of this happening.

However, it is possible that the Titans captured lightning in a bottle here, and we've seen it happen before.

If he is lightning in a bottle, then it could shoot the Titans into the playoffs.

Arian Foster Has Major Setback from Last Season

No one expected Arian Foster to have the type of season he had last season, and what he was able to do for the Texans made the AFC South even tougher than it already was.

There still has to be a hope if you're a Titans fan that Foster's season was somewhat of a fluke.

When Foster performs like one of the best running backs in the NFL, it makes the Texans offense one of the best in the NFL. They've always had a great passing game, but balancing that with a dangerous running back like Foster was in 2010 makes them unstoppable.

The Titans defense isn't talented enough to deal with teams that are that balanced on offense, so a setback in  Foster's production would dramatically increase the Titans chances of getting by the Texans in 2011.

Peyton Manning Suffers a Season-Ending Injury

Now by no means am I wishing an injury on Peyton Manning, but let's face it—he makes the Colts contenders as long as he's lining up under center.

If the Colts were to lose Manning for a significant amount of time, then the Colts would be in a similar position to sadly what the Titans are already in.

Manning has always given the Titans fits even when the Titans have had good defense, and until the Titans prove otherwise we can't say they're a good defense now.

With that said, you can't see the Titans winning either of the two games against the Colts unless Manning is out of the equation.

It's a rough part of the game, but sometimes injuries affect which teams make the playoffs and which ones miss them.

Titans Avoid Critical Injuries

The injury bug was a major contributor to all those losses last season, and the Kenny Britt injury was the biggest one.

That injury was really just the tip of the iceberg. Other key injuries included Vince Young, Dave Ball, and Derrick Morgan.

Hopefully the Titans fortunes will change in 2011, because frankly they're not that deep on either side of the ball.

Key players like Chris Johnson, Nate Washington, and Cortland Finnegan have to stay healthy in 2011.

This is all about luck here, and a little bit of good conditioning. Hopefully lady luck will help the Titans stay healthy in 2011.

Kenny Britt Stays out of Trouble

The Titans are going to be vertically challenged with or without Kenny Britt in the lineup, but he's not on the field then all of the pressure will be put on Chris Johnson and the running game.

Being limited to only one area of offense is a recipe for being offensively challenged.

They have to have Britt showing up for each and every game. When he's out there the Titans have a guy that can move the chains, make long touchdown receptions, and open up space for other receivers due to double-teams.

Britt hasn't been able to stay out of trouble during his first two NFL seasons, but if his days of getting in trouble are behind him then that does nothing but help the Titans next season.

In the games the Titans were without Britt, they went 0-5 and had just three passing touchdown during that stretch.

Javon Ringer Contributes Consistently

In case you didn't know, this Javon Ringer is extremely talented and just needs his touches.

Obviously this is Chris Johnson's team, but there's nothing wrong with having a two-back system. In fact, plenty of teams use a two-back system and use it well.

When Ringer got his opportunities in 2010, he delivered positive results. He had a solid 4.7 yards per carry with 51 total carries.

No one is saying he has to steal the show from Johnson, but there were clearly times last season when Johnson seemed tired. Ringer offers a change of pace and a tough mentality.

If opposing defenses have to worry about two running backs, then the Titans will be that much more dangerous.

Jason Babin or Stephen Tulloch Return

The unfortunate nature of the business is sometimes you have to let good players move on to other teams.

That will most likely be the case with Stephen Tulloch, but if the Titans figure out a way to work a miracle and persuade him to stay, then their defense will remain a legitimate one.

The more likely one to return is Jason Babin, who the Titans have hinted that they really want to keep.

Babin was a sack machine last season, but unfortunately the Titans secondary gave up big pass plays all year bailing out the opposing offenses.

You have to think the Titans will get better in that department, and Babin returning would help keep the score low for the opponents.

The Titans Become More Disciplined

This may have been the most frustrating part about watching the Titans last season.

Forget about all of the other problems the Titans had. When a team shoots themselves in the foot 15 yards at a time thanks to a lack of discipline, there's nothing more demoralizing.

The Titans were fifth in the NFL in offensive penalties, and fourth in defensive penalties in 2010.

With a predominantly new coaching staff calling the shots, this team should be a more disciplined unit in 2011.

It basically comes down to not being your own worst enemy. You already have one team that wants to take you down, so there's no reason to hurt your own odds, too.

Just look at some of the better teams in the NFL like the Patriots and the Packers. They were among the teams that committed the fewest penalties, and the Titans have to mirror that next season.

Their margin for error is way too low to be committing avoidable penalties.