With the Giants' loss to the Browns, the Tennessee Titans are now the only undefeated team left in the NFL. They have been without their starting QB since Vince Young was injured in week 1, but that hasn't affected them at all.On the strength of one of the best defenses the league has seen in years, the Titans haven't been lighting up the scoreboard, but they have been racking up the wins nonetheless. Albert Haynesworth is one of the league's best defensive linemen, with 5 sacks already this year. The Titans have 10 players with 20 or more tackles, and average 3 sacks per game as a team. They also have a solid secondary, as Cortland Finnegan and Michael Griffin each are tied for most in the NFL with 4 interceptions. Through the first 5 games, they are both on pace to approach Dick "Night Train" Lane's single season record. Their defense allows an average of only 11.2 points per game, lowest in the league.
Kerry Collins hasn't been stellar as Vince Young's replacement, but he has minimized the turnovers, which is one thing that Young has failed to do throughout his career. Collins has thrown for 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in 4+ games, since taking over for Young during the first game of the season. Young's physical and mental breakdowns have made it possible that he won't see the field again this year. While his speed gives the Titans' offense an extra dimension, it's obvious that the lack of it isn't causing them to lose.
Chris Johnson was thought to be a bit of a reach when the Titans grabbed him with the 24th overall pick. He has proven the doubters wrong so far, however, he has been solid for them, running for 381 yards and 2 TD's, with a reception for a TD as well as LenDale White's backup.White has also been a huge part of the offense. He only has 165 yards, but has been a scoring machine, with 5 TD's in as many games. With him and Johnson anchoring the run game, the Titans are a solid threat on the ground, even though their passing game isn't a huge threat.
While the Titans certainly aren't going to go 16-0, they definitely don't have any unwinnable games on their schedule. They face the Chiefs next week, who are one of the league's worst teams at 1-4. They have 2 games against the Colts, who look like their offense may be back to its regular ways, after struggling through the first 4 games, but the rest of their schedule is full of teams who are .500 or worse. The Jets (3-2) and Steelers (4-1) are the only other winning teams (besides the 3-2 Colts) left on their schedule, and both have shown some glaring weaknesses.
Look for the Titans to finish with at least 13 wins this year. The only thing that might screw it up is if they allow Vince Young to return to action, and Jeff Fisher gives him too much control of the offense. Right now, they look like the team to beat in the AFC, and perhaps all of the NFL. For the first time since the year of the Music City Miracle, the Titans could be headed to the Super Bowl.
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