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

But: What are the odds that quarterback Jake Locker can stay upright for 16 games? The eighth overall pick in the 2011 draft inherited the starting job one year later. But over the last two seasons, the talented yet injury-prone signal-caller missed nearly as many games (14) as he started (18). And it is also interesting to note that over those last two seasons has thrown 18 touchdown passes compared to 15 interceptions?

With Whisenhunt around, you can look for Locker to take a different approach in terms of venturing out of the pocket. The man who helped get San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers’ career back on track a year ago should be able to school his young quarterback in a number of areas.

Over the last two seasons, Locker has totaled 65 attempts for 446 yards and three scores but has also been sacked 41 times over that span. It will be interesting to see what the numbers look like if he manages to start all 16 contests in 2014. And improvement on his part can only mean good things for receivers such as Nate Washington, Kendall Wright and emerging Justin Hunter, as well as veteran tight end Delanie Walker.