Bye Week: The AFC Playoff Picture. by Ben Williams

There are many things to consider for the Tennessee Titans heading into their week 8 bye. Of these are overall health of players, preparations for an upcoming match-up against the St. Louis Rams, and above all where they stand in the overall playoff picture.

Tennessee, though starting fast has been on a three game stink chute, losing to K.C., Seattle, and San Francisco. Before the season many agreed that this was a 2 to 6 win team at best taking into account the team's lack of success in 2012 and an absurdly difficult schedule. To be 3-4 at this point in the season is not satisfactory by their standards, but not all bad.

A smart man would have to figure the Titans will have a shot to bounce back following this bye week as the worst of the schedule has already passed. In their first seven games, Tennessee has faced opponents with a combined record of 30-18. In the upcoming nine games, opponents have a current combined record of 26-36. It also helps that they play the hapless 0-7 Jaguars twice.

Of course numbers don't tell the whole story, but those same numbers are the reason why so many predicted the Titans to have little success banging heads with such a difficult schedule. The combined 2012 record of Houston, Indianapolis, Denver, San Francisco, and Seattle was 58-21-1. They obviously play division rivals Houston and Indianapolis twice. And the Kansas City Chiefs, who are the only remaining unbeaten team in 2013, were 2-14 last year. Who saw that coming?

The point is that, although anyone can beat anyone any Sunday, the hardest part is over for the Titans and things in the AFC may not look as bleak as their below .500 record might indicate.

It would figure that either Kansas City or Denver will be claiming one of the two available wildcard playoff spots, but the second is up for grabs. Of the teams in the AFC chasing that second spot are the N.Y. Jets at 4-3, San Diego at 4-3, Miami at 3-3 and Baltimore, Cleveland, and Tennessee all at 3-4. It certainly helps that the Titans hold a tie-breaking win over both San Diego and New York.

Most teams in the NFL are separated by only inches. This is the turning point in the season where the good teams assert themselves in a position for the post-season and the bad teams fade.

NBA power rankings

With the NBA season just days a way here are my player rankings for the season
1. Miami Heat - there the top dogs till the get knocked off.
2. Indian pacers- will give heat a run for there money a top easy.
3. Brooklyn nets - big trade makes neat ready for playoff run
4. Clippers - this could be there year to rule the west
5. Spurs - veteran crew ready for another title
6. Rockets - Howard and harden best duo in the league
7. Thunder - need Westbrook back fast
8. Bulls - rose makes team contender
9. Grizzlies - physicality makes them a tough out in playoffs.
10. Warriors - with iggy, team ready for title run
11. Knicks - can anything bring title back in last year?
12. Hawks - big offseason gets team to playoffs
13. T'wolves - love Rubio and pekovic gives them a solid base need more help.
14. Mavs - what does dirk have left? Monta Ellis provides more scoring
15. Cavs - I don't get what people are so high on them for? Bynum hasn't played in over a year. This does not make them definite in playoffs. Lyric will need to stay healthy.
16. Blazers - Lillard makes big jump... Which is scary.
17. Nuggets - no iggy, no Karl, no chance
18. Wizards - can wall stay healthy all year? If so playoffs
19. Pistons - huge offseason but can they okay together?
20. Pelicans - not high on them. Davis and holiday only true players
21. Lakers - Kobes health is key
22. Kings - another year of worrying about moving
23. Raptors - Rudy gay needs help
24. Magic - oladipo looks like a stud. Too young. Give them 5 years
25. Jazz - worst offseason of the year
26. Bucks - 2nd worst offseason
27. Celtics - I feel for you rondo
28. Bobcats - there not the worst!
29. Suns - gonna be a long season , fortunately summers are nice there
39. Andrew wiggins meet your new home

Week 7 player rankings

I'll be ranking the top 5 players by position for their play during last week.
Quarterbacks
1. Andrew Luck- I mean what can I say about this kid that you didn't see during that game. This kids gonna be great.
2. Matt Ryan - with those injuries to do that? Idc about the bucs d he played great.
3. Matthew Stafford - threw for 357 and 3 TDS  didn't get the win, but played great with no turnovers.
4. Andy Dalton - same game better result for him. Had an 82 yard TD to AJ Green.
5. Payton Manning - colts D played great but manning solved it late just not well enough for a win.
 RUNNING BACKS -
1. Matt forte - picked up the slack after jay cutlers injury. Had 3 scored vs the redskins
2. Roy Helu - had 3 scores including the game winner. Glad to see him getting playing time
3. Jamaal Charles - really the reason the chiefs are 7-0 other than the defense. 7 games over 100 for him
4. Ryan Matthews - looks like the fumbling probz are behind him. Had over 100 and a score
Eddie Lacy - didn't go over 100 but did score. Has potential to be great

WIDE RECIEVERS
1. Megaton - 9-155 and 2 scores. Is there anything he can't do?
2.AJ Green- had an 82 yard td catch and over 100. Clearly the 2nd best in the game
3. Eric Decker - Payton's favorite target throughout the game. Looked his way when he needed a play.
4. Harry Douglas - needs to step up the rest of the way if the falcons want in the playoffs. Big game of many for him
5. Jordan reed- had 9-134 and a score. Not a big name but big game.

Week 7 crash course

Week 7 in the nfl started with a lot of scoring, but not by the offense. 4 touchdowns by the defenses in the first quarter! The jets yes those New York jets who haven't quite lived down the butt fumble yet, got revenge on the patriots with Nick Folk kicking the game winning field goal. Patriots fans complain about the officiating. Yes those same patriot fans who claim the tuck rule was a great rule. I give a lot of credit to Matt Ryan. 3 of his top players out and he puts up great numbers still. Falcons still in stiff contention. In a matchup of the top 2 recievers in the league, AJ green and megaton both played great. Mike Niger hit the game winning field goal from 54 yards. Where was all the offense in the eagles cowboys game? 17-3? For chip kelly 3 points is a disappointing drive not a whole game. RG3 finally played like himself and his team wins. I am not writing there name on here. I do not approve of racism. The chiefa are the only remaining unbeaten team winning 17-16. For Andy Reid 17 is a disappointing number of lbs of barbecue not his score for the football game. The titans get pushed around at home, get booed off the field, have less fans than the 49ers at the end and yet only lose by 14. This exoina why harbaugh was so upset. Pittsburgh yes those steelers who were 0-4 and people thought the world was ending have won 2 in a row and are fighting for the division. I would be shocked if they got in. Payton Manning won yet another game for the colts. Bad news; he plays for the broncos. He almost lost it for the colts at the end, but played he played it like a playoff game and did great for the colts. The worst Monday night football game ever was played. If anybody watched it start to finish you deserve and award. I have up after the 1st quarter. Josh freeman had about 30 incompletions making him the best quarterback they've had since Favre. So to sum up week 7, it brought defensive scores, winning field goals, patriot fans in tears and Payton manning choking in Indy. Where have I heard that before.

 3 stars for week 7
1. Matt Ryan - with all due respect what he did yeaterday regardless if it was against the bucs was still amazing considering the injuries they had.
2. Andrew Luck- going up against the guy you will always be compared to and in my mind outplaying him in the stadium he built.. Props to you andrew.
3. Whoever threw the flag in the pats game- that rule is in the rule book. The pats are always on the right side of these calls and for once there not and they bitch about it. I applaud you mr. Referee

Preview: Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers. by Ben Williams

The 3-3 Tennessee Titans will meet the 4-2 San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, October 20th at LP Field in Nashville.

 It's an interesting match-up with some crucial maybes heading into the contest. For the Titans, who have proven they can be in games with tougher opponents, there is still an awful lot to prove as to whether they can win the big games.

Will Ryan Fitzpatrick be able to establish a rhythm with an underrated receiving core against yet another top ten defense (This is the third week in a row they face a top ten D) or will Jake Locker have a chance to start? Will an offensive line tweak (to what many agreed was a pre-season potential to be of the best in the NFL) make a positive difference for Chris Johnson and the Titans run game? Can Colin Kaepernick's new found relationship with Vernon Davis be contained?

All good questions. Here's hoping for answers.

From the Titan's perspective, the head line story is Jake Locker. When he left the game in week 3 against the New York Jets, Locker was said to be out 4-6 weeks with both a sprained right hip and a sprained right MCL (per Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean).

Six weeks seems like an eternity in the NFL, and although Locker's young career has seemingly walked hand-in-hand with injury, he has shown to be a fast healer. The timetable for his injured non-throwing shoulder suffered at Houston last year was said to be 8 weeks. He returned in only 6.

At any rate, a 75% Jake Locker is better then a 100% Ryan Fitzpatrick. That's just sound mathematics. According to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean, Locker took the majority of the first team snaps in the Friday practice over Fitzpatrick after he was medically cleared for contact on Thursday. However you want to read into that, it seems like potentially positive news for the Titans.

An issue that has been plaguing The Titans offense is the poor performance of the run game. With additions such as Pro Bowler guard Andy Levitre and first-round pick Chance Warmack to the already proven tackles, David Stewart and Michael Roos, The line figured to be a force to be reckoned with. However the interior has struggled to mesh as a unit and open lanes for Chris Johnson.

The Titans will look to shake things up on the O-line sunday, starting rookie center Brian Schwenke out of Cal.

 Head Coach Mike Munchak said that he felt Schwenke was the best center in the draft and they hoped for good things out of him, but after Schwenke fell victim to injury early on in training camp, free-agent acquisition Rob Turner from St. Louis won the job and has started ever since. With the move from Turner to Schwenke, The Titans hope to right the ship for Chris Johnson who has averaged just 3.1 yards a carry (per ESPN). They also hope to get Shonn Greene back from injury who hasn't played since week one against the Steelers.

The main defensive question to be answered for the Titans is whether they will be able to stop tight end Vernon Davis from having another big performance, and running back Frank Gore from doing what he does.

The 49ers struggled early in the season when they seemed to get away from their identity. In weeks two and three it seemed like the game plan was to have Colin Kaepernick throw it all over the yard. They were embarrassed in both games falling to Seattle 29-3 and to Indianapolis 27-7 (Granted neither of those teams are anything to sneeze at). Since then, the 49ers have gone back to establishing the run, Kaepernick picking his spots, and a tough defense. As a result, they've strung together three straight wins against the Rams, Cardinals, and the ailing Texans.

The goal for the Titans defense is no easy feat: Stop Frank Gore, stop Vernon Davis, stop Kaepernick, stop the 49ers. With defensive end Ropati Pitoitua being a nice surprise as both a pass rusher (4 sacks) and a run-stopper , Alterraun Verner's consistent play at corner opposite Jason McCourty, and Zach Brown's speed at outside line backer, the Titans have a fighter's chance at holding the 49ers offense, but it'll be a stout challenge.

Also, you have to figure that safety George Wilson will be heavily involved in situation downs and covering Vernon Davis's vertical ability.

49ers line backer Patrick Willis, who has been bothered by a nagging groin injury, and Titans safety Bernard Pollard are both designated as probable to play on Sunday, but Titans line backer Moise Fokou will be out for the game and replaced by last year's standout starter, Colin McCarthy. However, McCarthy may be a question mark on the Titans defense after losing his job in camp to Fokou.

 Jake Locker is still officially listed as questionable, but Titans fans may have reason for optimism barring some last minute swelling in his right knee.

It's Code Blue for Nashville, and this game figures to be a good one.

SEC Football Week 8 Predictions

Follow me on Twitter: @vivaalanegro

This week is gonna be a pretty big week for SEC football and here's my take on what's going to happen this weekend.

#15 Georgia vs. Vanderbilt 12:00 PM EST – CBS

(4-2) Georgia is heading to Nashville this week for their 4^th SEC game in a row. They started off this stretch looking strong against LSU pulling out a win there and then the following week winning a nail biter in OT against a rebuilding Tennessee team. Last week they came back home to play a surging and undefeated Missouri team and couldn't put down the Tigers losing 41-26.

(3-3) Vanderbilt under the coaching of a confident James Franklin is looking to prove that they can win big ball games against their SEC counterparts, as they host the Bulldogs this week. The Commodores come into this game lacking a single conference victory but this might be their best opportunity to get one as they take on a beat up Georgia team. Vanderbilt had last week off to rest and get some extra practice/film time in after falling to the same Missouri team that took down the Bulldogs last week. very well has some talent on their team and a pretty decent head coach but I'm not sure if it's enough to take down this Georgia team under the reigns Coach Richt.

I'm gonna play it safe on this one and give the W to the Bulldogs but don't be surprised if Vandy pulls it out.

Georgia > Vanderbilt 21-10

#11 South Carolina vs. Tennessee 12:00 PM EST – ESPN

(5-1) South Carolina has had what you could call a slow start to their season, losing to Georgia and barely pulling out some games against others. This Gamecock team is the most puzzling team in the SEC for me. Their 5-1 record and their #11 ranking shows that they should be regarded as a top team but I haven't seen what separates them from the pack other than a few points. A few weeks ago a mid-tier UCF team had them playing catch up most of the game and then they gave up 21 points to (1-5) Kentucky late in the 4^th quarter but still squeezed out a win. These aren't necessarily horrible things but heading into Neyland Stadium housing the upset hungry Volunteers and arguably one of the best 12^th mans in college football they cannot let it be a close game.

(3-3) Tennessee and Coach Butch Jones' motto for the year has been “Brick By Brick” focusing on rebuilding this historic program and he's been doing absolutely that. Vols' fans didn't really have too much to be excited about before the season but after the heartbreaking overtime loss against Georgia and with Jones lighting up the recruiting trail it has the fan base feeling a surge of excitement and it's gonna show this Saturday when they welcome in the Gamecocks. Hiring Jones was the best move by the program in awhile, he's got a team that on paper is lacking in talent, hanging with higher up SEC teams. The Vols don't have anything close to an all-star offense but it's good enough to get down the field enough and score some points while the Vols' defense contains the Gamecock offense. I expect this to be a big defensive game, not much of a high scorer.

Take this as my upset for the week. Tennessee > #11 South Carolina 17-13

#22 Florida vs. #14 Missouri 12:21 PM EST – SEC TV

(4-2) Florida's season has been a pretty interesting but straight forward ride for them. The Gators have won all the games I expected them to win and have lost the two I expected them to lose. Their original starting quarterback Jeff Driskel went down for the season in Week 3 against Tennessee with a broken leg. You'd think losing your starting QB would be a huge deal but for Florida it hasn't been. Tyler Murphy stepped in for Driskel and so far has thrown for 645 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Those are pretty great stats for a quarterback who up until the game against the Vols hadn't played a college snap before. I could be the only person but I feel as though the Gators are better with Murphy behind the center, the guy stepped in and looked more comfortable than Driskel did starting the game. I expect Florida's defense to continue to perform well even against this Missouri offense but this game for the Gators is going to be all about how Murphy and his offense perform.

(6-0) Mizzou was a team I didn't believe in early in the season when they started off 4-0. They were winning and playing well but because of their schedule I couldn't get behind them, but then they picked up their 5^th win against Vanderbilt and won pretty convincingly and that's what really piqued my interest about the Tigers. I was really excited to see how they did going up against a more top tier SEC team and they oh man did they convince me that they were for real. Mizzou marched into Athens and hit the Bulldogs in the mouth early and finished strong even with their QB James Franklin going down late in the game. With the little I saw of his replacement Maty Mauk, it's really hard to say how he'll play against this great Florida defense. Missouri winning this game is all about Mauk performing well and not making any rookie mistakes.

#14 Missouri > #22 Florida 38-34

#24 Auburn vs. #7 Texas A&M 3:30 PM EST – CBS ***GAME OF THE WEEK***

What's that sound? It's the sound of the War Eagle as the (5-1) Auburn Tigers charge into College Station looking to defeat the Aggies of Texas A&M. Auburn has fared well so far this season only sporting one loss overall and one loss in the SEC. The Tigers currently stand at third place in the SEC West behind Alabama and LSU, and if they plan on going to the SEC Championship then today is a must win game. Honestly, the keys to the game are pretty simple for Auburn but it's all about executing. They come into this game with the most run plays ran in the SEC with 64 percent of their plays being run plays and averaging 287 yards per game which is another SEC best. If Auburn continues to run the ball like have been they shouldn't have much of a problem scoring against an Aggie defense that allows 5.7 yards per carry and 201 yards per game. The main problem for them is stopping the A&M offense led by Heisman-winner Johnny Manziel from scoring on them.

(5-1) Texas A&M is preparing for what is looking to be an offensive battle against Auburn while the equipment crew scrambles to look for ear plugs to block out the war cry of the Tigers. The Aggies have a tough road ahead of them after having a little fun for the past three weeks and it all starts this Saturday against Auburn. Johnny Manziel looks to carry his team to another SEC victory against a team that they're currently tied with in the West standings. Manziel has been on his game all season winning 5 out of 6 games in which most of those games turned out to be shootouts. A&M has been able to pull out the W's in most of these shootouts except against #1 Alabama who gave them their only loss. The Aggie's defense has yet to find their soul this season and are currently sitting in last out of the BCS Automatic Qualifying teams in rush defense but against an Auburn team that has the best rushing game in the SEC they're going to have to find something to stop them.

#24 Auburn > #7 Texas A&M 41-34

Bottom of the Pack Games:

Arkansas vs. #1 Alabama 7:00 PM EST – ESPN

Not much to say about this game here, it's Alabama and Arkansas. I can't see Alabama giving up more than 14 points in this game or Arkansas holding the Crimson Tide to anything under 20 points.

#1 Alabama > Arkansas 38-6

#6 LSU vs. Ole Miss 7:00 PM EST – ESPN2

This Ole Miss team isn't a bad team at all but they're not good enough to steal a win from the Tigers on Saturday night even at home. LSU won't breeze through this game but they won't have to fight for their lives either.

#6 LSU > Ole Miss 34-17

Game predictions

Follow me on twitter @madmanmunchak

(I do more than NFL draft stuff by the way)

I disagree with the high scoring that Locker had, I think this week will be low scoring

Seahawks at Cardinals - The Cards offense cannot score, but the Seahawks offense does not travel well, and we saw last year, the Cardinals beat the 'Hawks at home. But the 'Hawks have too much talent to lose this year.

Seahawks 20 Cardinals 13

Bears at Redskins - The 'Skins have just been bad, and we saw last year that their special teams defense has been hapless, so expect a Hester return.

Bears 28 Redskins 21

Cowboys at Eagles - This will be a high scoring game. 2 teams with bad secondaries and hot QBs (though Romo was terrible last week) BUT the difference will be the running game. With no DeMarco Murray, the Cowboys will rely on the rookie, Joseph Randle. But the receiving talent for the Cowboys it too much, so I won't call the upset

Cowboys 38 Eagles 34

Patriots at Jets - There is no way in hell that Tommy Terrific will lose to Geno Smith, even if he has to pull it out of his butt like last week. A top 5 defense, too.

Patriots 27 Jets 10

49ers at Titans

Like Locker said, Fitzmagic is real. The Titans played tough in Seattle, and tey will score an offensive TD.

49ers 13 Titans 20

Browns at Packers

I loved the Browns.. until Hoyer got hurt. They might not win another game, but this is the best time to get the Pack without James Jones and randall Cobb. But Eddie Lacy is just too good.

Browns 13 Packers 31

Broncos at Colts

The Colts defense sucks. Flat out sucks. I call the Colts Andrew Lucks and the averages. Like the band drummer who no one ever knows the name of. So, Peyton Manning gives me another great day in fantasy and win.

Broncos 35  Colts 24

Panthers at Rams

I don't even need to talk about this meaningless game.

Panthers 20  Rams 10

Bengals at Lions

I don't believe the Bengals are for real. The Lions on the other hand, are.

Bengals 21 Lions 28

Chargers at Jags

Now, the Jags are not much to look at, but Paul Poslunsky and Justin Blackmon (if he plays) are a lot to. The Jags have to win sometime. I'm calling he Rivers choke and the upset. Doing it at home

Chargers 27 Jags 28

Falcons at Bucs

The Falcons are in a rut, and the Bucs are a good team. Eventually they will win one of these close games, and with no Julio Jones, Steven Jackson, and no Roddy White, combing with the sub-par defense. I'm calling the upset.

Falcons 23 Bucs 30

Ravens at Steelers

Flacco has to have one big time money day, but it won't be today. One of the top passing defenses, but they won't win.

Ravens 20  Steelers 13

Texans at Chiefs

I absolutely LOOOOOOVE Case Keenum, but the Chiefs defense will carry them to an easy victory

Texans 13 Chiefs 28

Vikings at Giants

Josh Freeman on Monday night with Peterson. Easy win for the Vikes

Vikings 31 Giants 21

Predictions for ALL of Week 7's Match-Ups

Follow me @FauxJakeLocker, on Twitter!

WEEK 7 PREDICTIONS FOR EACH NFL GAME

• Seahawks at Cardinals - Seahawks are simply too much for the Cards at home, take Arizona 38 - 17. TNF
• Bills at Dolphins - Tough fight early from Bills, but, Bills-Manuel = Loss. Phins win, 31-17
• Bears at Redskins - Close game, but Cutler throws more TDs than INTs, and the Bears edge the 'Skins, 28-24
• Cowboys at Eagles - Eagles put up a strong fight, but like Cutler, Romos throws more TDs than INTs, and the Cowboys iron out a win, 34-27
• Patriots at Jets - Brady's unknown rookies don't get the job done, and Buttfumble 2.0 gets through by the skin of his teeth, 31-30
• 49ers at Titans - Ryan Fitzpatrick finally squeezes out a little Fitzmagic and pulls off a win for the Locker-less two-tone blue, 21-17
• Browns at Packers - Aaron Rodgers finally gets it going with his reeling receiving corps, and beats down the old man behind the Browns line, Packers win, 38-20
• Broncos at Colts - In a surprisingly close game between an old Colts legend, and a new and blossoming hopeful legacy-filler, the older of the two quarterbacks pulls out the win, 20-17
• Rams at Panthers - Cam Newton has another nice day, and Sam Bradford... well doesn't. Cam and co pull out the win, 27-7
• Bengals at Lions - Andy Dalton pulls it together and the Bengals have a nice day against a team that, is not as good as their record describes. Bengals win, 31-20
• Chargers at Jaguars - HA! No, the Jags aren't good because they gave Peyton a run for his money. Peyton came in thinking he was playing cupcakes, and the Jags are more like, just a regular cake. Chargers win, 42-12 (Yes, that is 4 Jags field goals)
• Buccaneers at Falcons - Well I must say, this is one of the harder games this week. One may think that the rookie pulls off the heroic victory over the reeling Falcons, but not me. Falcons edge Bucs, 17-13
• Ravens at Steelers - Steelers can't pull it together, even though Flacco has a poor day. Ravens win, 24-10
• Texans at Chiefs - So there are to case scenarios for Houston in this one. They can lose with Schaub, or they can lose with Yates. Take your pick (6). Chiefs violate Texans, 42-21
• Vikings at Giants - Assuming the Vikes go ahead and start Josh Freeman, who, quite frankly, I don't think is a terrible quarterback, the Giants fall to 0-7, Vikes win 28-24  MNF

Have any questions, comments, or want to write for APSports? Tweet me @FauxJakeLocker or e-mail me at fakejakelock@gmail.com!

Week 6 crash course

Here's a crash course on week 6 in the NFL. Eli manning and the giants fall to 0-6 with Eli struggling with turnovers again. They are among 3 teams still winless the Jags of course and the bucs. Now I'll give the jags credit. They hung with the broncos for most of them game. With the predictions like 70-3 I applaud the jags got there effort. But none the less they still need to improve big time. On the other hand the chiefs and the broncos are the only 2 undefeateds left, and both have favorable schedules leading up to there week 11 meeting. 2 9-0 teams doesn't get much better than that. Adrain Peterson aging just 1 day after the death of his son follows it up with the worst game of his life. Thanks Obama. The steelers won for the first time beating the jets. And what an ugly game that was. The Nick Foles era is blossoming in philly with a 31-20 win. Michael Vick was watching from the dog pound. The texans horror season continues when they lose quarterback matt Schuab to injury. But apparently that's a good thing. The fans cheered. Where have we seem that before. *see Kansas City chiefs 2012. Tom Brady pulled a Tom Brady by leading a game winning touchdown drive throwing the winner to one of his no name receivers with 5 ticks left. Rg3 continues to struggle falling to Tony Romo 31-16. Was I the only one waiting for Tony Romo to blow the game??  Now finally to the Monday night game. What a waste of time that was. Almost more boring than the jags raiders game. Almost I said almost. Julio jones is out for the year and Roddy white is out a few weeks. The falcons season continues to go in the right direction... At least for the rest of the season. To recap week 6 I think plucking my eyebrows 1 hair at a time would have been a better use of time. That's my week 6 recap come back every Tuesday for that weeks crash course. Remember to follow me on twitter @fakeKDUB

What's wrong with the NFL's "best" teams?

(Follow me on Twitter! @FauxJakeLocker)

Well so far 2013 has been a... strange year, for football. Basically every team we thought would be terrible is doing great and every team we thought would be great is doing terrible (with the exception of a few on each side). So what's wrong with these so-called "great" teams? Let's start with a breakdown of each surprise crappy team this year, starting with the ever-famous fall of the Texans.

Texans: Boy oh boy, the Texans. Someone lit a match and threw it into a dumpster in Houston. Let me begin by saying I don't think it is Matt Schaub's fault. Ok well it's definitely his fault but it's not all him. The Texans need to revert to a run first mentality. Schaub is more of a game-manager. He's not the Peyton Manning-type who can win games single-handedly. He's simply does what he needs to do in order to win. Well the Texans aren't harping on that skill. They're taking him as a balanced guy who can do it all... he can't. Schaub, believe it or not, has been one of the more accurate QBs over the past few years, it's just that his inconsistencies have over shadowed his well-doing. So until Gary Kubiak gets on board with what Schaub has to offer, expect more and  more losses... and more and more pick-sixes. (P.S. As i type this I am seeing the Texans losing to the RAMS. Yeah, sorry Texans fans.

Packers: Yeah, 2-2 isn't a terrible record. But I've seen a lot of bad plays from the Packers. What people just won't realize about the game of football is that it's a team sport. If the Packers keep losing games, guess who gets blamed? Aaron Rodgers. It's not Rodger's fault that they're losing a few. Just look around him. No, his receivers aren't terrible, but James Jones just got put out recently in the game i'm watching, and they already had lost Greg Jennings to the Vikes. And then take a look at his O-line. Aaron Rodgers has been pummeled in the backfield. To this point, he's been sacked 11 times. He is having to act under pressure too much. I think they'll pick it up, because Rodgers isn't just a game-manager like Schaub, he's up there with the likes of Peyton and Brady.

Redskins: RGIII is not what he once was. That injury  affected him obviously. But as I watch him play, I realize it's not just that. He's had trouble with certain things since the beginning of his career. The biggest is sliding, and if he doesn't learn how to properly slide one day, you're in for a trip Skins fans, cause he's going to get hurt. Bad. Do they pick it up? No, not enough. They'll go somewhere around .500 when it's all said and done.

Giants: Wow so is Eli still ELIte? Yeah, but he's in the same situation has Schaub. Look around him, his offense has absolutely fallen apart. O-Line? Terrible. WRs? Pretty dang bad in this season anyway. RBs. Don't get me started. The Giants are 0-6 and no, they won't pick it up. Not gonna happen, I'm sorry Giants fans, but your team just is not good anymore. They're looking down the barrel of a top 5 pick.

Falcons: What has happened to the previous NFC South champs?! I can't say a whole lot about this one, cause honestly, I don't see what it is. Maybe Matty-Ice is just cold. Maybe the O-line is just not doing their job. Maybe... Is Michael Turner still an option? Will they pick it up? Maybe. But think of it this way, they currently have totaled their entire 2012 loss column... we're only in week 6...

Pittsburgh: I told you so, I told you so! No one ever listens to a parody account. Let me tell you a little story about a man named Ben. He was very good, when he had his weapons. But take away Mike Wallace and Rashard Mendenhall? "Big" Ben is just as useful as the clock he is named after. Not only on offense, but look at the losses on defense. James Harrison? Gone. Casey Hampton? Gone. Troy Polamalu? Not what he once was. Will the Steelers pick it up? NOPE. I've never been a huge Steelers fan, so maybe there is a tiny bit of bias, but that's one thing I can promise you. That towel won't be so terrible for their opponents this year.

2014 QB Prospects

Now, I don't mean to upset loyal Jake Locker fans, but I put the Titans on the QB need list
Jaguars (obvious)
Raiders
Vikings
Steelers
Giants
Titans
Eagles
Chiefs
Cardinals
Rams
Bucaneers
Panthers
Browns
And the top 13 QBs, who could be fighting for a starting spot next summer
1. Teddy Bridgewater
2. Brett Hundley
3. Tajh Boyd
4. Marcus Mariota
5. Johnny Manziel
6. Aaron Murray
7. Stephen Morris
8. Blake bortles (Sleeper)
9. Derek Carr
10. David Fales
11. Keith Price (Sleeper)
12. Gary Nova (My Man)
13. Sean Mannion
5 Best fits
1. Jaguars-Johnny Manziel
2. Eagles-Stephen Moriss
3. Bucaneers-Blake Bortles
4. Browns-Gary Nova
5. Chiefs-Aaron Murray

Titans outlook

After 5 weeks, you start to see what all 32 teams will have for the season. The Tennessee Titans looked to be on the rise, but Jake Lockers injury could hurt their playoff chances greatly. They lost him right before a very tough part of there schedule facing 3 of the top defenses in the league. If they lose all 3, they fall to 3-4. Almost certainly out of the playoff picture with the AFC this year. But they could still make the playoffs with 2 vs the jags, the raiders, and cards, and rams, they must win all 5 of those. That puts them at 8. I would think that 10 would get a playoff spot. They have 2 against the colts, the texans, 49ers, Seahawks, and broncos left. They must win at least 2 of those. This puts lost of pressure on the return of Locker, as well as star Running Back Chris Johnson. I think they could win at least 1 vs the colts, the texans ,  but where's the 10th win coming? I don't see them beating the broncos, 49ers or Seahawks. That puts lots of importance on the week 11 and 13 matchups vs the colts. 2 wins in  3 weeks would surely get them a spot. I don't feel overly confident betting on the titans getting in the playoffs, but it's possible. The NFL is full of surprises , and seeing the titans in the playoffs definetly will be one.

Tennessee Titans vs. Seattle Seahawks week 6 predictions and analysis

Remember to follow @FauxJakeLocker and @DouchyCJ2K!- @FauxBPollard

So this is going to be my first post here and first I want to thank @FauxJakeLocker & @DouchyCJ2K for bringing me to the team! What I want to go onto here is my predictions for week 6 of the Tennessee Titans season and it will be against the 4-1 Seattle Seahawks who, in my opinion, are the kings of the NFC besides the Saints.

Now this is a game that favors the Seahwaks. No one has won a game in Seattle since December of 2011 when the 49ers won a nail biter. I expect this trend to continue and the Seahwaks win at home again. But, this one could wind up being closer than people expect. With Jake Locker starting I would expect Tennessee to win this game. Fitzpatrick is a different guy though and this game will wind up revolving around him. Here are my position by position stats predictions.

TITANS:
QB: Fitzpatrick- 23-44, 268 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
RB: Johnson- 113 yds, 17 carries, TD
        Battle- 4 carries, 7 yards
        Fitzpatrick- 2 carries, 15 yards
WR: BRITT- 6 rec, 104 yds, TD
        Wright- 6 rec, 76 yds
        Washington- 5 rec, 47 yds, TD
        Walker- 3 rec, 27 yds
        Johnson- 2 rec, 10 yds
        Williams- rec, 4 yds
DEFENSE:
        Morgan 2 sacks
        Casey sack
        Pollard sack
        McCourty INT
        Brown FF
        Verner FR
SEAHAWKS:
QB: Wilson- 20-35, 227 yds, TD, INT
RB: Lynch- 22 carries, 96 yds, TD, FUM
       Wilson- 8 carries, 62 yds, TD
       Turbin- 3 car, 9 yds
WR: Rice- 5 rec, 83 yds, TD
        Tate- 6 rec, 67 yds
        Baldwin- 4 rec, 51 yds
        Kearse- 2 rec, 16 yds
        Lynch- 2 rec, 6 yds
        L. Wilson- rec, 4 yds
DEFENSE:
        Avril sack
        Wagner sack
        Sherman INT
        Thomas INT
        Browner INT TD

So, I see both units thriving, but in the end Fitz throws a costly pick six. Bironas knocks in two field goals and Seattle also connects on a field goal. Final score an unlikely high scorer 31-27 Seattle victory. More on the Titans, Fitz is able to connect with Britt who finally shows life on a huge day. CJ also has a big day on the ground. Injuries to Seattles line helps Morgan especially get two sacks. Thanks for sticking around to read along on my first post!   -@FauxBPollard