TENNESSEE TITANS

2012 Odds:
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Odds to Win AFC South: 9/2
Odds to Win AFC Championship: 25/1
Odds to Win Super Bowl XLVII: 60/1
Regular Season Wins Over/Under: 7.5

2012 Preview:
Offense:
The Titans are encouraged by what they deemed a productive offseason for RB Chris Johnson. They mix a lot of zone plays in for Johnson, though their line is more built for man blocking. They use a lot of two-tight end sets and still use a fullback to try and open things up for him. Johnson takes about 70 percent of the reps and is often asked to find yards between the tackles. Javon Ringer will come in on every third or fourth series. The Titans often go into the red zone with the idea of running it, with Johnson taking a lot of touches. But they get easily frustrated after one busted play and ended up one of the league’s most pass-heavy red zone teams.

The Titans were so pass-happy for most of last season that they looked like classic Air Coryell under offensive coordinator Chris Palmer. They get the ball downfield aggressively, something that didn’t change whether it was Matt Hasselbeck or Jake Locker under center. Kenny Britt is the first look, with Nate Washington not far behind. Jared Cook is often used to stretch the middle of the field. Rookie Kendall Wright was brought in to provide a deep threat in the slot, though he may be used underneath as well for spacing purposes. The Titans also reintroduced the screen game last year, giving them another way to get Johnson the ball. They’ll often try to get the ball outside to a receiver near the goal line rather than using a tight end over the middle.

Defense:
Defensive line coach Jim Washburn and DE Jason Babin leaving before last season was a big reason Tennessee finished with the second-fewest sacks in the NFL in 2011. The secondary took a hit this year with the departure of CB Cortland Finnegan and contract dispute with franchise player S Michael Griffin. A lot is going to be asked of LB Colin McCarthy, who was a monster after moving into the starting lineup in the middle of last season, recording 50 solo tackles over eight games as a rookie. Tennessee will be looking for both projected starting cornerbacks, Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner, to help fill the void created by the loss of Finnegan. McCourty led defensive backs in solo tackles in 2011, and opposing quarterbacks may target him even more often now that he’ll be matched up with many opposing No. 1 WRs. Verner has 102 total tackles (86 solo) in 15 career starts and would seem to be the more attractive target for opposing quarterbacks to pick on.

Key Offseason Moves:
ADDITIONS
G Steve Hutchinson (from Vikings)
DE Kamerion Wimbley (from Raiders)
LB Zac Diles (from Colts)
S Aaron Francisco (DNP in 2011)

SUBTRACTIONS
WR Donnie Avery (Colts)
DE William Hayes (Rams)
DT Jason Jones (Seahawks)
LB Barrett Ruud (Seahawks)
CB Cortland Finnegan (Rams)
S Chris Hope (Falcons)
S Anthony Smith (retired)

2012 Schedule:
2012 Schedule Strength: 20.94 (5th toughest in NFL)
Week 1 - New England
Week 2 - at San Diego
Week 3 - Detroit
Week 4 - at Houston
Week 5 - at Minnesota
Week 6 - Pittsburgh
Week 7 - at Buffalo
Week 8 - Indianapolis
Week 9 - Chicago
Week 10 - at Miami
Week 11 - BYE WEEK
Week 12 - at Jacksonville
Week 13 - Houston
Week 14 - at Indianapolis
Week 15 - New York Jets
Week 16 - at Green Bay
Week 17 - Jacksonville

StatFox Take: The Titans certainly have the talent to compete with the heavily favored Texans in the AFC South. If Chris Johnson and Kenny Britt stay healthy, that will take a ton of pressure off the starting quarterback, which will eventually be the explosive Jake Locker, a rare combination of arm strength and foot speed. This team lost a couple of key players in the secondary due to free agency, but it should still be one of the better all-around defenses in 2012. The schedule is not easy, but most of the elite opponents they face are at home (Patriots, Lions, Steelers, Bears and Jets), with only two road games against 2011 playoff teams (Texans and Packers).
Prediction: OVER 7.5 wins (-105)

All NFL Previews

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC South
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans

AFC West
Denver Broncos - Monday, August 13
Kansas City Chiefs - Tuesday, August 14
Oakland Raiders - Wednesday, August 15
San Diego Chargers - Thursday, August 16

NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - Friday, August 17
New York Giants - Saturday, August 18
Philadelphia Eagles - Sunday, August 19
Washington Redskins - Monday, August 20

NFC North
Chicago Bears - Tuesday, August 21
Detroit Lions - Wednesday, August 22
Green Bay Packers - Thursday, August 23
Minnesota Vikings - Friday, August 24

NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - Saturday, August 25
Carolina Panthers - Sunday, August 26
New Orleans Saints - Monday, August 27
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tuesday, August 28

NFC West
Arizona Cardinals - Wednesday, August 29
San Francisco 49ers - Thursday, August 30
Seattle Seahawks - Friday, August 31
St. Louis Rams - Saturday, September 1