Help Wanted: Titans Playoffs

The Titans beat the Chiefs yesterday to get to 8-6, matching last season's win total. 9 wins and some luck made the playoffs in the AFC last season. This year, its going to take 10 wins and some luck, by my estimation. Here is the simple breakdown:

• There are 3 teams in the hunt for 2 playoff spots. The Jaguars (10-4), the Browns (9-5), and the Titans (8-6). The Jaguars are in with one more win or a loss by either of the other teams. The Browns win their final two and they are in.


• The Titans must have the Browns lose to the Bengals this weekend, or 2 losses by the Jaguars, combined with winning the final two games against the Jets and Colts.


• Most likely playoff scenario is the Browns losing to the Bengals and beating the 49ers in their final game, while the Titans win the final two games. Jaguars finish 1-1 or 2-0, and are in the playoffs most likely. The Browns and Titans would be in a tiebreaker situation, as there would be no head to head matchup to use.


• As posted below, the tiebreaker between the Browns and Titans would be AFC Conference record. The Titans are at 5-5 with 2 AFC games remaining, while the Browns are at 7-5 with 1 AFC game remaining (the other being the 49ers)


• If the Browns beat the Bengals, they would be finished with their AFC slate at 8-4. They would clinch a tiebreaker over the Titans if both finished with a 10-6 record, since that would mean the Titans went 7-7 in AFC play.


• Plain and simple, if the Browns beat the Bengals this weekend and the Jaguars win 1 of their final 2 games, the Titans are out of the playoffs. Both are likely to happen.

There is hope for Titans fans, as the Bengals host the Browns in Cleveland this weekend. Also, this is Cleveland, a town that has a history of big time choke jobs and losses. Tennessee has had a lot of good things happening the past two seasons, but making the playoffs would top that list.

The Titans should have no trouble with the Jets this weekend, setting up a New Years Eve must win with the Colts. Sounds tough right? But here is the good part. Indianapolis with a win this weekend against the Texans, will have nothing to play for against the Titans. They will have a first round bye with either a win or a Jacksonville loss. And the Patriots have already sealed up home field advantage and the #1 seed. The Colts will be etched with the #2 seed and will have no need to win, which possibly will give the Titans the edge they need to get into the playoffs.

I have a feeling that we won't be in the playoffs. But if we do make it, we will make some noise, I can guarantee that. By "noise" I mean a win, an upset. Something like going into Pittsburgh or San Diego and winning, then giving the Patriots the game of their lives. Might be wishful thinking. But, its good to know that our QB is a big game player and has been there before in big games.

Slow Posting Season

The Pope has been busy and has not posted as much as he would like. I have quite a bit planned for posting today through Wednesday, so please check back for my thoughts on the Titans, Grizzlies, and Notre Dame recruiting.

Titans - Playoff Push

The Tennessee Titans ended a 3 game skid on Sunday beating the divisional opponent Houston Texans 28-20. The Titans got some big plays, and the offense finally put a running and passing effort together. Haynesworth needs to get and stay healthy on defense, which would really allow us to be a top 5 type defense in this league.

Where does this put us with the Playoffs?

The win keeps the Titans in the playoff hunt at 7-5. Its likely going to take 10 wins, maybe even 11, to win the wildcard. With 4 games remaining (Chargers, Chiefs, Jets, @ Colts), the Titans are going to have to win 3 of these 4 games to have a chance realistically, and here's why:

• There are 3 teams right now in the hunt for the 2 wildcards - the Browns, Jaguars, and Titans.


• Check out the tiebreaker procedures for NFL teams in the playoffs here. The Titans likely will not hold the tiebreaker over either, as the Jags will likely have a better divisional record, assuming the Jags beat Houston and the Titans lose to the Colts. If the Jags lose to the Steelers and the Titans go 4-0 then the Titans would have the tiebreaker with a 4-2 divisional record. Titans beating the Colts would give the Titans that tiebreaker over the same record Jaguars. If the Titans go 3-1, losing to the Colts, and the Jags go 2-2, then one of those losses would have to be to Houston for the tiebreaker to go to the Titans. If the Jags beat Houston but lose to Carolina and Pittsburgh, then I believe they would have to go to strength of schedule in a tie with the Titans for a tiebreaker at 10-6. Crazy.


• The Browns have an easy finishing slate, with Jets, Bills, Bengals, and 49ers. If they win out, they would have the tiebreaker over the Titans with a better conference record at 8-4. The Titans would finish 8-4 in conference if they win out, but they would have to defeat the Colts to do so. Lucky here, though, this tiebreaker of 11-5 would also go to strength of schedule. Likely the Jags would be here in a huge 3-way tie. Messy.

Plainly said, the Titans are going to have to win 3 of their final 4 games to have a chance. If they go 3-1, they are also going to need some timely losses from the Browns and Jaguars, so much so that even 4-0 for the Titans could have us on the outside of the playoffs.

Winning against the Chargers this weekend is a must, as the Chiefs and Jets the following two weeks are hopefully winnable games at home. We dont want to go into the final game of the season having to beat the Colts. I will be at the game cheering them on . . .

Holy Wagers Update

Not a great weekend, going 0-3 in College Football and 2-1 in Pro Football. Still up for the year at 55%, with some weeks up and some down. What a crazy year in College Football eh? Check out my updated yearlong picks here, or by clicking on the perma-link always in the upper left hand corner.

Holy Wagers - Turkey Edition

These picks are for the games for Thursday through Sunday of Thanksgiving week. You can always view my season long track record in the upper left hand corner using the link. I have a 57% winning percentage with a +8 betting units for the year. Remember, all wagers should be for 1 unit, with the exception of 2 units on the Most Blessed Wager. Now for the picks.

COLLEGE

Memphis -7.5 vs. SMU - [Most Blessed Wager of the Week] The Tigers have hit their stride, and will be playing an awful Pony defense in their fired coach's last game. Prediction - Memphis 42 SMU 21

Kentucky -3 vs. Tennessee - This game is important and on the road for the Vols. Not good, since their best player is Neyland stadium. I think this will be close but a late score ruins the Vols hopes for Atlanta. Prediction - Kentucky 28 Tennessee 24

UConn +17 @ West Virginia - WVU is playing for a shot at the National Title game, assuming the Big 12 eliminates itself. I think they will be playing a bit tense against a solid UConn team. Just too many points. Prediction - WVU 42 UConn 28

PRO

Seattle -3 @ St Louis - The Rams only scored 13 last week against the 49ers, and I just dont think they have the guns to outscore the Seahawks. Prediction - Seattle 27 Rams 13

Titans -1.5 @ Bengals - Despite losing Monday night, the Titans had their strongest passing performance of the season and moved the ball all up and down the field on Denver. A few costly turnovers and three plays given up over 50 yards were the only difference. I expect the Titans D to return to form with Haynesworth back. Prediction - Titans 34 Bengals 27

Chicago -1.5 vs. Broncos - Denver is just not that good away from home. They were largely outplayed by the Titans, yet their win will probably give them some false confidence. The Bears will sling it around and get a turnover or two, not unlike Denver's trip to Detroit earlier this year - Prediction - Chicago 31 Denver 21.

Good luck, and Happy Thanksgiving!