The Tennessee Titans finished 7-9 to miss the postseason for the fifth year in a row, and it cost Mike Munchak job. Ken Whisenhunt was brought in to take over and he has a record of 45-51 as a head coach, but he did take Arizona to the Super Bowl in 2008 where they lost to Pittsburgh, with whom Whisenhunt won the big game as an offensive coordinator in 2006.
Fixing the offense will be Whisenhunt’s main priority this season in Tennessee, but they need a lot of help across the board.
Strengths
The defense was inconsistent in 2013, ranking 11th against the pass and 20th against the run. But they should be better this season with Ray Horton as the coordinator, and he did a very good job in Cleveland. If Kamerion Wimbley and Akeem Ayers can be productive, they will team with Derrick Morgan and Shaun Phillips for an above-average group of outside linebackers. Bernard Pollard and Michael Griffin man the safety positions and up front, Jurrell Casey is coming of a season with 10.5 sacks.
Offensively, the Titans have a solid line, which will be necessary. They drafted Taylor Lewan with the #11 pick, and he is pushing for a starting role, but he has to stay disciplined, which is something he always wasn’t at Michigan. Dexter McCluster adds versatility, but he gets banged up a lot in games.
Weaknesses
Where to start? Whisenhunt has his hands full with the offense, and now the focus is on Jake Locker as Ryan Fitzpatrick is in Houston and running back Chris Johnson left for the New York Jets. Locker has played 23 games in three seasons, including just seven last year, and has never looked great when he has been healthy. Shonn Greene is now the #1 back if healthy, but he will compete with rookie Bishop Shankey. Nate Washington and Kendall Wright are fine #2 receivers, but neither is a #1 guy.
The run defense has to improve, and an upgrade at inside linebacker would have been nice. Wesley Woodyard is a solid player, but Zach Brown struggled down the stretch. This puts a lot of pressure on the three-man line. Also, losing Alterraun Verner at one corner spot is going to be tough to replace.
Schedule
Tennessee has the second-easiest schedule in the league, but to be fair, the AFC South isn’t very good, which gives them a fighting chance. They have six games against Indianapolis, Houston and Jacksonville, and splitting those six is a must. The Titans open their schedule with three road games at Kansas City, Indianapolis and Cincinnati, while Dallas comes to town and that start will be crucial for the Titans, who have their bye in Week 9. On the flip side, the Titans have three home games in December against the New York Giants, Jets and the Colts, while going to Jacksonville as well, so if they can tread water before they get to December, Tennessee has a shot.
Outlook
It is very difficult to get a read on this team because so much of their success is going to come down to Locker and whether or not he can be healthy and productive. Whisenhunt has worked his magic with quarterbacks in the past and Philip Rivers looked like his old self last season, but this might be his toughest job yet. Luckily, they’re in a bad division, but it’s tough to bet on Jake Locker and an up-and-down defense.
Pick: Under 7 (+100)
