The Tennessee Titans’ 38-28 loss to the New Orleans Saints last week didn’t do them any favors, but it also didn’t have a large bearing on their place in the postseason contention.
If the Titans get a win over the Houston Texans on the road this week, they’re automatically in the playoffs.
If not, things get a little bit trickier, though the Titans can still edge their way in with an 8-8 record.
The Titans took a slight fall in Touchdown Wire’s NFL power rankings ahead of Week 17, going from No. 11 overall to No. 12.
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Here’s a look at what analyst Doug Farrar had to say about placing the team directly ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers and behind the Philadelphia Eagles.
“The easiest way for the Titans to get into the playoffs is to beat Houston on Sunday,” he wrote.
“Otherwise, they will need help from other teams to back into the postseason. But no matter what happens, this season has turned out to be a productive one for the Titans. They opened the season with Marcus Mariota and hoped he could firmly establish himself as the franchise quarterback. That didn’t happen. Tennessee turned to backup Ryan Tannehill who has surprised virtually everyone. Tannehill saved Tennessee from a losing season, and he’s almost certainly going to get a nice contract in the offseason. The future looks bright for the Titans and Tannehill. But the present isn’t over yet. If this team can squeeze into the playoffs, anything becomes possible.”
Expect the upcoming meeting between Tennessee and the division rival Houston Texans to be a close one yet again, as matchups between the Titans and AFC South opponents so frequently are.
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The Titans will face the Texans at 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday in NRG Stadium.