Fansided

5 NFL teams on upset alert in Week 9

By Cody Williams

Nov 1, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) prepares to pass the football in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) prepares to pass the football in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Nov 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrates a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Giants 52-49. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrates a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Giants 52-49. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

2. New Orleans Saints

If you think it’s crazy to say that a New Orleans Saints team that put up 52 points last week and a quarterback in Drew Brees who tied the NFL record for touchdown passes in a single game last week is on upset alert against a Tennessee Titans team that’s 1-6 and lost to the Houston Texans last week, you’re probably right. No matter how crazy that it may seem, though, I just like the way things have gone this week for the Titans.

For one, I think that the firing of Ken Wisenhunt is huge for this Titans team. Quietly, it seems to me like Tennessee may have quit on their head coach due to lack of belief in his coaching abilities or something of that sort a while ago. Now that he’s gone, there could very well be a sense of relief and maybe even inspiration behind the Titans as they play their first game this season without Wisenhunt wearing the headset.

Also important is that Marcus Mariota will be back on the field this week. Having such a talented and dynamic young quarterback returning to action with a new head coach running the show seems to be a recipe for Mariota to potentially be fully unleashed as a passer and rushing threat in this game. If that happens, I have little faith in the Saints defense to do anything about it.

I can see this game surprisingly becoming a shootout, even with how bad the Titans have been this season. That would mean that this game would be up for grabs essentially and could come down to momentum and a few key plays. Subsequently, I think the Titans wanting to win one for their new head coach could potentially carry them to a truly shocking upset over New Orleans.

Next: No. 1 Pittsburgh Steelers

Home/Carolina Panthers