Three Biggest Games: Tennessee Titans
They might all be celebrating Mariota Madness in Tennessee, but unfortunately for Titans fans, one rookie quarterback does not a playoff contender make. In fact, most fans of the league’s most forgotten franchise will probably be happy with an improvement over last year’s 2-14 disaster of a season. Here are three key games that could put the team in a winning direction.
Week 1 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
How do you turn a week one affair between two of last year’s most hapless cellar-dwellers into a must-watch game? Easy, simply predict that both the Bucs and Titans will take two of college football’s most exciting stars first and second respectively, make a safe bet that both prospects will be named opening day starters, and watch the revenue roll in. Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota were denied a meeting in the final game of their college football careers, but tonnes of praise and instant overreactions await the winner of this enticing shootout.
Week 3 vs. Indianapolis Colts
The smart money says the Indianapolis Colts will run virtually unopposed in their pursuit of the AFC South division title in 2015. The big bully of the division has scarcely been troubled by Tennessee in recent times, but this home opener on what should be a hot and humid affair at LP Field could be the perfect opportunity to make a statement and prove the age-old adage true: if the winner was decided before kickoff, there’s be no need to play the game. A relentless running attack designed to keep Andrew Luck off the field is the formula for victory here. And with a stout unit of Shonn Greene, Bishop Sankey and Dexter McCluster running behind one of the league’s most underrated O-lines, a win could well be on the cards.
Week 11 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Not that this dishonour isn’t underserved, but the schedule makers have shown absolutely no love for the Titans this year. Tennessee’s only primetime game in 2015 comes against the equally-lowly Jacksonville Jaguars, and even then, they’ve only earned it because every team gets at least one appearance on Thursday Night Football. By week 11, this game could be a mere formality, but if last year’s Jags-Titans TNF clash is anything to go by, expect a thoroughly entertaining game that should produce some thrilling plays and unlikely heroes.
