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NFL playoffs: How your team can make it

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 22, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter (15) celebrates scoring the winning touchdown against the San Diego Chargers with teammate Tennessee wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) during the second half at LP Field. Tennessee won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter (15) celebrates scoring the winning touchdown against the San Diego Chargers with teammate Tennessee wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) during the second half at LP Field. Tennessee won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

35. . AFC. South. Tennessee Titans. 4. player

Tennessee went 2-14 last year and generally had one of the more underwhelming rosters in the NFL. So what has changed? Everything. The Titans had one of the better drafts on paper in April/May, bringing Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota along with talented but troubled receiver Dorial Green-Beckham in the second round.

Mariota gives this fan base hope and could be the reason for a quick turnaround in Tennessee. Matt Ryan once took a moribund franchise in the Atlanta Falcons and made them a playoff team in his rookie season. In the same season, Joe Flacco helped the Baltimore Ravens reach the AFC Championship game, only to fall to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2012, Andrew Luck guided the Indianapolis Colts to a playoff berth as a wild-card team as well. It has happened before, and it most certainly will happen again.

The Titans were also active in shoring up this group in free agency. Da’Norris Searcy came over from the Buffao Bills to add experience and talent to the secondary, along with Perrish Cox on the corner. In the front seven, Brian Orakpo was signed by general manager Ruston Webster, giving new defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau a true pass-rush artist to work with. If Orakpo is healthy, he could post his third season of double-digit sacks.

Finally, Tennessee also plays in a weak division. The Colts are one Luck injury from going 4-12, while the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans don’t have a quarterback who is proven at this point. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt has shown he can win and win big at this level, and with a solid coaching staff around him and an exciting young quarterback, the playoffs could be a reality.

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