NFL Playoff Scenarios: Don't Sleep on the Tennessee Titans

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like the Tennessee Titans have been bad more often than they've been good this season.

It apparently is just me, because this is not the case. At no point have the Titans been one of the NFL's best teams, but they have been slump-proof in 2011. It is therefore no surprise they are 7-6 and in good standing in the AFC playoff race.

If you take a look at the NFL playoff picture (see ESPN), you'll see the Titans are knocking on the door of the AFC playoffs at the moment. The New York Jets are currently in line to nab the AFC's second wild-card berth, but the Titans have an edge on the Cincinnati Bengals and Oakland Raiders because of their record in conference games.

Going forward, the best thing the Titans can do is win each of their remaining three games. It may seem like a lot to ask seeing as how the Titans have only had one three-game win streak this season, but the Titans have the luxury of a pretty favorable schedule.

In Week 15, the Titans play at the 0-13 Indianapolis Colts. In Week 16, they host the 4-9 Jacksonville Jaguars. If the Titans don't win both of those games, they don't deserve to be playing postseason football.

To be sure, Tennessee's Week 17 matchup at the Houston Texans is considerably tougher, and its postseason hopes will likely be hanging on it. Win, and the Titans may be in. Lose, and they're probably done.

Working in Tennessee's favor is that the Texans may not have much to play for when Week 17 rolls around. They've already locked up the AFC South and are in good position to earn a first-round bye. Beating the Titans could be of little consequence.

Long story short, the odds of the Titans going 3-0 to finish the season are pretty good.

In order to make the playoffs, though, the Titans need the Jets to cooperate. They wrap up at Philadelphia, vs. New York and at Miami. A loss in any of the three will allow the Titans to jump them for the AFC's second wild-card berth.

Make no mistake, each of those three games are games the Jets could lose. A strong finish is not guaranteed for Rex Ryan's squad.

Now, all of this being said, there is a gorilla in the room that must be addressed.

That would be Tennessee's quarterback situation, of course. Veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck hurt his calf against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, and Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com said the team is taking a "wait and see" approach to his health.

It's not all bad, though. Rookie QB Jake Locker has looked pretty good in two relief appearances of Hasselbeck, and the Titans aren't losing anything with Locker under center instead of Hasselbeck.

In fact, I'd wager that Locker is the better option at this point.

So, no matter who's under center, the Titans are in good shape. They'll need a bit of luck, but there are plenty of teams that would eagerly trade places with them.