Categories
NFL

2014 Tennessee Titans Odds | Season Preview | NFL Predictions

2014 Titans NFL Handicapping

Expectations Tempered For Titans’ Franchise That Is In Transition

The Tennessee Titans have talked about 2014 as the start of a new era for the franchise. Ken Whisenhunt is the new head coach and Ray Horton is turning the base defense over from a 4-3 to a 3-4, but the Titans have decided to give the starting quarterback from the previous regime another shot with Jake Locker.

2014 Tennessee Titans Team Preview/Predictions

  • 2013 Record: 7-9
  • ATS Record: 6-6-4

2014 Titans Futures

  • Super Bowl Odds: +8000
  • Conference Odds: +3300
  • AFC South Odds: +450
  • 2014 Regular Season Wins: Over 6.5

Tennessee did the best it could to address key areas of need through free agency and the draft but this is a team in transition, and is still at least one year away from competing for a playoff spot in the AFC South.

Locker hasn’t lived up to his reputation as the eighth-overall pick from the 2011 NFL Draft but Whisenhunt will give him one more opportunity to prove he can be the man.

Locker is back at 100-percent after he suffered a Lisfranc injury in his foot last season, and the franchise has invested in keeping him upright by improving the offensive line.

CLICK to GRAB OUR BEST Expert Sports & Football Picks for 2014 GAMBLING!

The Titans drafted tackle Taylor Lewan in the first round and will plug him in at right tackle next to last year’s first-round pick Chance Warmack at right guard. Tackle Michael Roos and guard Andy Levitre bring the star power on the left side of the line, which has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL this season.

The problem is a perceived lack of playmakers on offense after longtime running back Chris Johnson and wide receiver Kenny Britt left in the offseason. Tennessee drafted Bishop Sankey in the second round to be the new franchise back and he has sleeper star power ahead of Shonn Greene in the running game.

The Titans added Dexter McCluster as a third receiver that can help on special teams but he could be pushed in to a bigger role if Nate Washington or Kendall Wright goes down, while 2013 second-round pick Justin Hunter looks to break through in his second year.

Horton is an established defensive coordinator that helped the Cleveland Browns finish ninth-overall in total defense a year ago, but he faces a major challenge in his first year. Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey is the star big man that the line needs to make the 3-4 work and he will be the anchor next to Al Woods and Ropati Pitotua, with the 328-pound Sammie Hill also figuring in to the mix.
[soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Titans have the big bodies up front to help the transition but it will take time and the linebackers face a tougher adjustment.

Shaun Phillips is a smart addition as an outside linebacker with experience in this system, while Akeem Ayers will also likely start outside, while Derrick Morgan will likely focus on rushing the passer early on as he is asked to move from 4-3 end to 3-4 linebacker.

Alterraun Verner isn’t an elite cornerback but he will be missed after singing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the offseason. His exit has left an open spot for Bidi Wreh-Wilson and Coty Sensabaugh to compete for the starting corner job opposite Jason McCourty.

Strong safety Bernard Pollard is a big hitter and free safety Michael Griffin has Pro Bowl potential as a ball hawk but both will be pushed hard on the back line because of the lack of star power at the corner position.

Whisenhunt has proven in past stops at Arizona and San Diego that he can help turn an offense and a franchise around but Tennessee is a team in transition on both sides of the ball and it will take some time.

It doesn’t help that Locker will get another chance to prove that he can be the starter and the lack of star power around him on offense will expose his weaknesses.

Whisenhunt will make sure his team makes every game it is in competitive, but the Titans will struggle to win games in 2014 as the franchise resets.

2014 Titans Predictions

  • Place they’ll finish in AFC South: 4th
  • Place they’ll finish in AFC Conference: 16th
  • Over/Under Wins Prediction: UNDER

What are you waiting for use our insider knowledge today to gamble on all the NFL Football Futures in our top online sportsbooks today.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TOP CAPPERS FOR NFL FOOTBALL BETTING THIS SEASON —–>

By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"