Well, the National Football League is finally kicking off the 2008 season this week after putting fans through another round of mind-numbing pre-season games in August. As much as I like football, I dislike the pre-season just as much. However, that is mercifully over, so let's look at the Tennessee Titans' first game.
The Titans begin the season with a bang, hosting divisional foe Jacksonville. I know it's just the first game, but if the Titans want to make the playoffs, they must beat divisional rivals at home. So, is this a must-win game even though it's the first game of the season? Yes.
The key to this game (and the season) is how many points the Titans can score. It's that simple. The defense looks stout, but the first team offense lumbered through the pre-season with little success. Plus, quarterback Vince Young injured his hand in the final pre-season game against Green Bay.
Until further notice, I don't believe we can count on the offense to deliver more than 20 points in a game. Therefore, the defense must carry the load.
Jacksonville is a strong team. They have a formidable one-two punch with Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor, plus David Garrard is developing into a solid quarterback.
The Jaguars have the edge in talent, but the home field advantage will allow the Titans to elevate their game just enough to win.
The pick: Tennessee 17 Jacksonville 16
Other NFL picks: Indianapolis over Chicago, Pittsburgh over Houston, Dallas over Cleveland, New England over Kansas City, San Diego over Carolina
5 comments:
What a game coming up, Colts and the Bears? That's got to be one of the games to watch, huh?
(Please God, let it be on a station I can get!)
I think the Bears/Colts game is the Sunday night game on Channel 4. So if you get Channel 4, you should be in good shape.
According to local radio "experts," the Titans are poised for a winning season and a trip to the playoffs. I hate to burst bubbles, but the Titans will field a mediocre team this year ... a mediocre losing team.
Titans lose by 10-14 points this weekend. And the season gets worse from there.
When this season is over -- a season during which the Titans won't go to the playoffs -- Ol' Bud's gonna have to ask himself: Am I really firmly satisfied with a coach who's so run-run-run-and-sometimes-pass, and whose tactics ain't never gonna win me a Super Bowl ...?
Aw, whadda them 'experts' know? This is when the Titans do well, assuming that a certain quarterback can get his head in the game. That's what this team has been missing, leadership and confidence at the QB. I have doubts about VY. Maybe the back-up QB could serve us better. He's got something to prove.
I was impressed with Manning and the Giants. I think they are positioned to make a run for it this year.
Titans 17 Jaguars 10. The game was about as sexy as a sinus infection, but a win is a win. The Titans have a good defense and offensive line. If we can get consistent play out of the quarterback and wide receiver positions, the team could be playoff bound.
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