Tennessee Titans 2008 NFL Projection:
Why do the experts keep underestimating the Tennessee Titans?
Because they win ugly. They can defend the pass. They can stop the run.
And they can move the ball on the ground. But gaining
yards through the air is a struggle. And not a pretty sight to most pundits.
The Titans will lull you to sleep as they smash mouth their way to victory…
And all against some very difficult opponents of late.
While their offensive line went through some changes during the off-season, it’s
still potent group. And that’s good news for newcomer Chris Johnson.
Because normally we’re not fans taking “the next explosive running back”
in the first round. The reason is most teams can’t run block very well to begin with.
So where would the holes come from?
But these Titans are different.
They can run block. So we like that they played to their strength with the first round pick.
See
Chris Johnson
run through a hole the size of the Grand Canyon
and blow past the defense in preseason week 1. Granted it was against the Rams, not
known for run D… But it was spectacular none the less.
That’s not to say The Titans don’t have needs.
They’re a bit thin at defensive end, which they attempted to
address using their
2nd and 4th round draft picks to add Jason Jones and William Hayes.
Another weakness is Vince Young’s deep ball, and general pocket passing.
So while some fans may want to see a big time receiver added to the squad.
You have to wonder if Vince would be able to get him the ball deep.
And furthermore, if it would force the Titans to attempt more pocket passing plays,
which would be playing to their weakness.
That’s why we think the addition of Alge Crumpler was a much better move.
He’ll provide Vince with a wide bodied medium range target that’s likely to produce more
successful plays that if Vince felt obligated to go deeper to a big time WR a fixed number
of times per game.
Schedule Analysis:
A look at Tennessee’s 2008 schedule
shows six games versus teams that made the playoffs last season where last season they had to play
eleven such games!
This year’s slate includes
However, we should also mention two games against teams on the verge of making the playoffs
last season;
Also we should note a game in week 12 against the
New York Jets
as they are likely to be playoff caliber with Favre.
For Tennessee’s sake, at least these three other difficult matchups are at home.
To conclude this segment, Tennessee’s schedule certainly isn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination.
But on paper it might be easier than last season’s.
Record Projection:
In 2008 we see the Titans’ running game exploding with three headed attack of Johnson, White, and Young.
As long as the offensive
and defensive lines stay healthy, there’s no reason the Titans can’t reach double digit wins again and another trip to the
postseason to boot.
Overall we’re upgrading our record prediction for the 2008 Tennessee Titans from (11-5) to (12-4) to account for the
offensive line woes the Colts are about to face with the loss of Jeff Saturday.
Of course the projections on this page will freeze
when the regular season begins. You can track rolling standings projections during the season
here.
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Free 2008 NFL Predictions Note:
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