NFL: Tennessee Titans will be in the playoffs in 2014 if…

If: The running game becomes one of the league’s best once again. This past season, the Titans were 14th in the NFL with a somewhat-respectable 118.4 yards per game rushing. However, with Whisenhunt at the controls (as well as offensive coordinator Jason Michael), along some new faces in the backfield, you can expect those numbers to jump considerably.

This offseason, the team opted to part ways with workhorse running back Chris Johnson, who ran for at least 1,000 yards in each of his six seasons in Nashville. While the three-time Pro Bowler will now do his thing for the New York Jets, Tennessee has numerous options and figures to employ all of them.

The club’s top returning rusher from 2013 is Shonn Greene, who totaled only 295 yards and four scores on just 77 carries. The Titans’ depth chart now includes University of Washington standout Bishop Sankey, a second-round pick in May and the 54th overall selection in this year’s draft but the first running back taken this spring. The organization also dipped into free agency and signed versatile Dexter McCluster away from the Kansas City Chiefs.

More of a wide receiver with his first team, he’ll be one of the focal points of the ground. Veterans Jackie Battle and Leon Washington are in the mix as well.

It’s also worth noting that for the second consecutive year in the first round, Tennessee addressed the offensive line in the draft. The team opted for tackle Taylor Lewan, who is expected to line up next to right guard Chance Warmack (the club’s first pick in ’13). Tennessee also signed veteran tackle Michael Oher and he would add some experienced depth.

The Titans haven’t finished Top 10 in the league in rushing since 2009, the year Johnson enjoyed his 2,006-yard season. That figures to change in a big way extremely soon.