Titans Still Firmly in Control of Playoff Fate

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Titans missed a golden alternative to make life simpler for themselves once they misplaced to Jacksonville on Sunday.

Even after the 36-22 defeat at Nissan Stadium, nevertheless, they’re in a superb place to win the AFC South, which might imply a postseason berth and a house playoff recreation.

Tennessee nonetheless has the within observe to win the AFC South. Actually, the New York Occasions’ playoff simulator offers the Titans (7-6) an 89 p.c probability of a first-place end, adopted by the Jaguars (5-8) at 9 p.c and the Colts (4-8-1) at one p.c.

One apparent option to clinch the division is to win three of the 4 remaining video games – on the Chargers, dwelling in opposition to Houston and Dallas, and at Jacksonville. That may get the Titans to 10-7. Nobody else within the division can win greater than 9 video games.

Even when Tennessee loses its subsequent three, it nonetheless can end first with a victory over Jacksonville within the remaining week of the common season.

How so? Three extra losses would drop the Titans to 7-9. If the Jags win their subsequent three, they’d be 8-8. A Tennessee win over Jacksonville would depart each groups at 8-9, however the Titans would win the tiebreaker (division report) and earn the automated playoff berth.

In that case, the one different factor that would want to occur is for Indianapolis to lose no less than as soon as within the remaining 4 weeks.

Different situations will current themselves based mostly on different AFC South outcomes over the approaching weeks.

After all, had Tennessee defeated Jacksonville, the Jaguars would have been eradicated from the division race, and issues would appear a lot much less dramatic for the Titans.

That may have arrange a state of affairs during which the Titans might have clinched the division crown earlier than they performed their subsequent recreation. A loss by Indianapolis subsequent Saturday at Minnesota would have allowed the Titans to take the sector subsequent Sunday in Los Angeles already realizing they have been AFC South champs.

Even when the Colts stored successful down the stretch, Tennessee would have wanted only one victory its final 4.

That seemingly would have allowed some gamers to relaxation over down the stretch, serving to them get more healthy for the postseason.

Backside line?

Sunday’s loss definitely wasn’t a step in the correct path for a Titans group “at a crossroads,” as Mike Vrabel described the scenario final week.

However the group nonetheless has the chance to manage its personal postseason future – and an excellent probability at successful the AFC South for a 3rd straight time.

“I really feel like we are able to say that we’re fortunate to nonetheless be on the similar crossroad and nonetheless have lots in entrance of us,” vast receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine mentioned. “Nonetheless have an choice to determine our destiny. So I really feel such as you simply get again to work, discover a option to get again to what we have been doing earlier than, after we have been successful video games. And simply look into that, and struggle to get again to that, that mentality.”