When it comes to the NFL playoffs, the odds are stacked against the sixteen teams who are competing for only six spots. In fact since 2004, there have been at least two new teams every season to earn a playoff berth. Which of the six AFC playoff team from 2008 will not to return to the playoffs in the upcoming season?
In 2008, we saw the Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and San Diego Chargers reach the playoffs. The recent trends say at least two of those teams will find themselves at home when the regular season is over.
Which one will it be?
After looking over several factors for each of the six teams teams, the decision came down to either the Miami Dolphins or the Tennessee Titans. The pro and cons were weighed a decision was made, it was determined the Tennessee Titans had the best odds of not returning to the playoffs in 2009.
In the end, the Titans earned the slight edge for the following three reasons why they will not be able to repeat their 2008 performance.
Loss of Key Defensive Personnel
When the Titans lost of Albert Haynesworth through free agency to the Washington Redskins, you could hear a collective sigh of relief from the rest of the teams in the AFC South. During the six divisional games in 2008, Haynesworth was an absolute stud for the Titans, recording 4 of his 8.5 sacks, along with 23 tackles and 1 forced fumble. Over the past two years while Haynesworth was looking for a large contract, the defense was ranked at the top.
Another important part of the Titans stout defense was their coordinator, Jim Schwartz. Schwartz took over the role in 2000 and developed the unit from an average NFL defense to one of the best in the game. Though he may have not been on the field, his guidance from the sidelines will be missed.
If the Titans are going to keep their defense moving forward, they will need Kyle Vanderbosch not to miss any significant time during the season, like he did in 2008. Also second year players, Jason Jones and Tony Brown will need to step up and fill the void of Haynesworth.
An Aging Quarterback
Part of the success of the Titans in 2008 came as a result of the performance of quarterback Kerry Collins. After taking over the starting position for Vince Young in week 2, Collins showed his veteran leadership and ability to limit his mistakes that helped propel the Titans to an AFC best, 13-3 record.
The Titans awarded the 36 year old QB with a 2 year, $15 million deal. The big question for the Titans is what can they expect from an aging quarterback showed he is not always able to win the game with his arm.
Chris Johnson and LenDale White, will only be able to protect their QB for so long until the opposing defenses keep placing 8 in the box and dare them to throw. When it comes to backups, the Titans are left with Patrick Ramsey and Vince Young as their options, neither one who could manage the game to the same level of Collins.
The 2009 Schedule
During the 2008 season, the Tennessee Titans finished with an impressive overall record of 13 – 3, going 7 – 1 at home and 6 – 2 on the road. Despite this success, the Titans 2009 schedule is going to test the makeup of this team and could ultimately be the reason why they will be at home watching the NFL playoffs.
Out of the gate, the Titans open the season visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. Their next five games, the Titans will travel to New England, Jacksonville, and New York, and play host to Houston and Indianapolis. This leaves the Titans with the chance of owning a 3 – 3 record as they enter their bye week.
For the last three games of the 2009 regular season, the Titans will play home games against Miami and San Diego, two potential playoff teams, before traveling out west to play Seattle. The Titans will need to have a post season berth locked up before this stretch if they are going to have any hope of beating the odds.
Best team ever= The Colts
Though I do not care for the Colts, you have to tip your hat to them with the success they have had.