Well, dust off whatever cliché you think is appropriate.
The Titans' backs are against the wall.
They are facing a must-win situation.
It is do or die for them.
If they lose, making the playoffs will require making the biggest comeback since Lazarus.
I think you get the picture. Most of us did not expect Tennessee to begin the season 0-2, and an 0-3 start will put the team in a gigantic hole. The defense appeared unable to stop the pass in last week's 34-31 loss to the Texans. Houston quarterback Matt Schaub carved the Titans up with more than 350 yards passing.
This week, the Titans visit New York to play the 2-0 Jets. Perhaps the most disheartening thing about this match up is that the Jets played the Texans in week one and completely shut down their offense. The Texans offense scored zero points. New Head Coach Rex Ryan has brought in his blitzing defense that he used in Baltimore, and for two weeks, he has baffled offenses.
'Baffled' might be the right word to describe the Titans. Other than running back Chris Johnson, the team's performance so far has been baffling. Broken coverages in the secondary, an anemic pass rush, and erratic play by quarterback Kerry Collins have created most of the team's problems. Johnson's wonderful performance against the Texans was wasted because of this. He rushed for 197 yards and two touchdowns, and he added nine receptions that produced another score. He leads the team in yards rushing and pass receptions.
Based on what I have seen so far, it is tough to pick the Titans. The Jets have played far better this year, plus the game is being played in their home stadium. The odds are stacked against Tennessee.
I'm going with my heart on this one.
The pick: Tennessee 16 New York 13
Other picks: Detroit over Washington (yes, I realize I'm picking the Lions to win), Minnesota over San Francisco, New England over Atlanta, Philadelphia over Kansas City, N.Y. Giants over Tampa Bay, Baltimore over Cleveland, Houston over Jacksonville, Dallas over Carolina
Last week: 4-5 (.444), Overall: 13-5 (.722)
Well, dust off whatever cliché you think is appropriate. The Titans' backs are against the wall. They are facing a must-win situation. It is do or die for them. If they lose, making the playoffs will require making the biggest comeback since Lazarus.
3 comments:
I hate to be the uber-pessimist, but I don't see the Titans winning this weekend. Chris Johnson can only take his team so far, and I'm sure every future Titans opponent is game-planning him, if you will, to the Nth degree.
Jets 34, Titans 24
You seen it here first.
Jets 24 Titans 17. I'm taking nothing away from the Jets, but the Titans gave this one away. A fumbled kick off return and muffed punt led directly to 14 points for the Jets. Plus, Kerry Collins was awful in the second half. He missed his last 13 passes.
The Titans are now 0-3, and to put the hole in which they find themselves into perspective, they would have to go 9-4 the rest of the way just to finish 9-7. However, I don't believe that will be good enough in the ultra-competitive AFC to earn a wild card playoff berth.
Also, I did pick the Lions to beat Washington. So there.
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