Tennessee Titans: 10 Things Titans Must Do To Win AFC South

Through four weeks, the Tennessee Titans (3-1) are tied for first place in the AFC South with the Houston Texans.

Tennessee has relied on their No. 1 defense and a blistering pass attack to overcome an early loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

As the Titans look forward to continuing their win streak, here are 10 things they have to do to stay on top of the AFC South.

Keep Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck Healthy

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck hasn't started all 16 regular season games since 2007, but the Titans offensive line has done a great job of protecting the 13-year veteran.

It should be no surprise that Hasselbeck is off to the best start of his career, completing 69.9 percent of his passes for 932 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Hasselbeck has been sacked four times, twice against the Jacksonville Jaguars and twice against the Denver Broncos, while also fumbling the ball once in each of those games. If they expect to keep the former-Seattle Seahawks quarterback healthy, he can't take unnecessary hits.

Play Smart

In 2010, the Titans ranked fourth in penalties per game (eight) according to teamrankings.com.

Tennessee is averaging eight penalties per game in 2011 as well, including an awful 11 penalties for 80 yards last Sunday against the Broncos.

If the Titans expect to be legitimate contenders in the AFC, they have to play smarter.

Win Games They Should

The old Titans would have lost last Sunday to the Broncos.

Tennessee has the talent to play with any team in the league but is known for squandering away games and losing the ones they should win.

Tennessee has one of the easiest schedules on paper this season, with games against the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts (twice), Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers and once more against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

These are all games the Titans should win, but it has yet to be seen if they can continue their winning ways without Kenny Britt.

Find Production from Young Receivers

Second-year receiver Damian Williams and fourth-year receiver Lavelle Hawkins will need to step up in the absence of Kenny Britt, who is out for the season with an ACL and MCL tear.

The duo have combined for nine receptions for 82 yards in three games but will see increased looks for Hasselbeck in the coming weeks.

Get CJ2K Going

Chris Johnson is off to a miserable start, with 98 yards rushing through three games.

In the absence of their star receiver, the Titans will rely heavily on Johnson to get the ground game going.

Johnson rushed for 2,000 yards in 2009 but has not rushed for more than 60 yards in a game since Week 14 of 2010.

Keep Derrick Morgan Healthy

Essentially, 2011 is Derrick Morgan's rookie season.

The first round pick out of Georgia Tech is coming off season-ending surgery due to a torn ACL in 2010, but has bounced back impressively to start the season.

Morgan missed Week 1 due to having his left knee scoped but returned in a big way, recording six tackles and one sack over the past two weeks. Morgan will be an intricate part of the Tennessee defensive line, so his health is essential to their success.

Win Divisional Games

The Tennessee Titans have classic division-rivalries with the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Over the years, Tennesse has struggled with the Peyton Manning-led Colts, but with his reported season-ending injury, the door is wide open in the AFC South.

If the Titans hope to win the division, they must beat the division.

Get Jared Cook Involved with the Offense

The third-year tight end from South Carolina Jared Cook came into the 2011 season with high expectations.

Thus far, Cook has underperformed, notching five receptions for 56 yards, including a 33-yard catch.

With Kenny Britt now on the sidelines, Tennessee's only downfield threats are Chris Johnson and Nate Washington, opening up room for the 6'5" tight end to roam between linebackers and defensive backs.

Secondary Must Continue to Play Together

The reason the Titans have allowed the second-fewest points in the NFL is because of their trio of defensive backs: Jason McCourty, Cortland Finnegan and Alterran Verner.

The forceful trio have combined for three interceptions, eight pass deflections, and one forced fumble. Verner and McCourty are both younger players, in their second and third seasons respectively and are learning as they play behind sixth-year veteran Cortland Finnegan.

Stay Focused Through Early Bye Week

The Titans are off to a hot start, but an early bye week (Week 5) could hamper their plans to surprise the NFL by winning the AFC South.

Tennessee could head into their bye week 3-2 on the season, with a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and a win against the Cleveland Browns, but they can not get content with leading the division early on.

First-year head coach Mike Munchak and his group of young players will be sure to stay focused on playing in the postseason.

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