Bodog Beat

The Titans will be a playoff contender. (AP Images)

In my opinion, the Tennessee Titans were vast overachievers in 2008, and that was proven out by the team's home playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Remember, this club went just 3-4 (including that playoff  defeat) after starting 10-0. I am willing to bet anything that this club doesn't approach the best record in the league again in 2009.

Oh, the Titans will be a playoff contender. However, Tennessee's offense was too predictable with Kerry Collins at quarterback and no real deep threats at receiver last year, and it's not clear if that problem has been fixed. The team lured Nate Washington from Pittsburgh to start opposite Justin Gage at receiver, but Washington hurt his hamstring in camp and may miss the early part of the season. And we all know how hamstring injuries can linger. Look for rookie Kenny Britt to play a big role in the passing game.

This team is as set at running back as any NFL club with Chris Johnson and a much-slimmer LenDale White. But won't teams be stacking eight in the box just daring Collins to beat them?

Certainly the team's best defensive player in 2008 was tackle Albert Haynesworth, and he's now in Washington. He was basically the hub of everything the Titan defense was in 2008, so that loss will be felt.

In addition, much of the team's front seven is beginning to age. The secondary should again be a strength, however, led by cornerback Cortland Finnegan.

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Here is the Titans' 2009 schedule, and we'll break it down after:
Sept. 10 at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Sept. 27 at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Oct. 11 vs. Indianapolis Colts, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 18 at New England Patriots, 4:15 p.m.
Week 7: Bye
Nov. 1 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 8 at San Francisco 49ers, 4:15 p.m.
Nov. 15 vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Nov. 23 at Houston Texans, 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 29 vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.
Dec. 6 at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Dec. 13 vs. St. Louis Rams, 1 p.m.
Dec. 20 vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Dec. 25 vs. San Diego Chargers, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 3 at Seattle Seahawks, 4:15 p.m.

Strength of schedule: 14th (opponents combined to go 130-126, .508, in 2008)
Projected record: 10-6
Bodog over/under total: 9
Bodog odds to win AFC South: 23/10
Bodog odds to win AFC: 10/1
Bodog odds to win Super Bowl XLIV: 20/1

On the positive side, the Titans do get to play last year's weakest division with four contests against the NFC West, whose teams were 10-30 in non-division games in 2008. But then so does the rest of the AFC South.
That Thursday night national TV opener against Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh is the first time the Titans have been featured in the Thursday night opening game of the regular season. Pittsburgh, of course, lost the top seed in the AFC last year with its late loss in Tennessee.

Including that Steelers game, four of the Titans' first six games are on the road, and the two home games in that stretch are against rising Houston and perennial power Indianapolis, which will be looking to reclaim the South this year. That could mean something like a 2-4 opening for the Titans, because they surely don't seem likely to win in Pittsburgh or New England. A split of the other four might be an accomplishment.

Tennessee's best chance to go on a roll would seem to come after the bye. The first four following the bye week are against teams that finished at .500 or worse in 2008. The Titans may need to go 4-0 in that stretch if they start as I expect.

By the way, pay close attention to that season finale at Seattle. With all that travel, that could be a major factor if Tennessee then has to turn around and play a wild-card game the following Saturday. The Titans closed with Indy the past two seasons, and both of those games meant nothing to at least one of the teams. I have a feeling that Seattle one could be for a wild-card spot.

It's probably now or never for this group, as for the most part the 2008 team is back. A true overhaul and youth movement (which may even in include Vince Young) might be waiting in 2010.

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