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Tennessee Titans Week 17 Analysis

December 28, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

TENNESSEE TITANS VS NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

After a 0-5 start, the Tennessee Titans have clawed their way back to an 8-7 record and still have an outside chance at the playoffs. Last week, they continued their six-game winning streak with a 30-29 win over the Buffalo Bills (7-8). If the Titans can complete their comeback, they will become the first team ever to make the playoffs after an 0-5 start. They will face the New England Patriots (11-4), who clinched the AFC East title last week, in what should be a tough matchup for this young team. With the run they are on, anything could be expected and if they do make the playoffs, you can be sure they are a team no one wants to face.

PASSING MATCHUP: QUARTERBACKS

It has been said many times before, but quarterback Vince Young continues to find ways to win. You can question his throwing motion or football intelligence all you want, but he is a winner, plain and simple. Young completed his fourth fourth-quarter comeback of the season last week, leading the Titans to the last 10 points of the game for a one-point win. Over the past four weeks, Young is averaging 162 passing yards, one passing touchdown and 0.8 interceptions per game. On the ground, he is averaging 57 rushing yards and 0.5 rushing touchdowns per game in that time. Young is considered a weak play this week as a No. 1 or injury replacement at the position.

The Patriots are allowing 207 passing yards, 0.8 touchdowns and 1.8 interceptions to the position per game over the past four weeks.

RUSHING MATCHUP: RUNNING BACKS

Running back Travis Henry continues to be a candidate for comeback player of the year, rushing the ball 25 times for 135 yards last week. Over the past four weeks, Henry is averaging 88 rushing yards and 0.5 rushing touchdowns per game. He is being utilized an average of 21 times (38 percent) per game over the past four weeks, with 2.5 (38 percent) coming in the red zone and one coming inside the 5. Henry comes ranked as a No. 1 or No. 2 running back this week, and he is a strong play.

Running back LenDale White has had somewhat of a disappointing season as he has failed to unseat Henry as the team's top running back. In the past four weeks (three games), White is averaging 17 rushing yards and 9.33 receiving yards per game. He does average 5.1 yards per carry, but is only getting 3.8 plays (6.7 percent) called for him per game. The lack of opportunities means White is a weak play and should be benched this week.

Fullback Ahmard Hall is averaging just three rushing yards and 19 receiving yards per game over the past four weeks. Those aren't the numbers you should be looking for in a running back, and he should be benched this week.

Since Week 13, running back Chris Brown has played in just one game, where he ran the ball four times for 44 yards. He sits at third on the depth chart and, as a weak play, should be benched this week.

The Patriots are allowing 108 rushing yards, 50 receiving yards and one rushing touchdown per game to this position over the past four weeks.

RECEIVING MATCHUP PART I: WIDE RECEIVERS

Wide receiver Brandon Jones was the team's top receiver last week, breaking the 100-yard mark with 101 yards and one touchdown. Over the past four weeks, Jones is averaging 36 receiving yards and 0.5 receiving touchdowns. He is being targeted an average of four times (7.1 percent) per game in that same period, with 0.5 (7.7 percent) coming in the red zone. Jones ranks as the top Titans wide receiver this week; however, he should still be used as only a No. 3 wide receiver.

Wide receiver Drew Bennett is the only other wide receiver who should be used this week. Bennett is averaging 33 receiving yards and 0.3 touchdowns per game since Week 13. He is being targeted 4.3 (7.6 percent) times per game, with 0.5 (7.7 percent) coming in the red zone. He is only ranked as an injury replacement at the position this week, and he is preferably a bench player.

The rest of the Titans receivers are not consistent enough to warrant being played. Wide receiver Bobby Wade was the team's top receiver in Week 15, however, he is averaging just 26 receiving yards and 0.3 touchdowns per game in the past four weeks. He is only being targeted an average of twice (3.6 percent) per game. He is a weak play and should be benched this week.

Wide receiver Courtney Roby has just one catch for 21 yards in the past four weeks. He is a weak play and should be benched this week.

The Patriots are allowing 127 receiving yards and 0.8 receiving touchdowns to this position over the past four weeks.

RECEIVING MATCHUP PART II: TIGHT ENDS

With tight end Bo Scaife (ankle) possibly out, tight end Ben Hartsock becomes the top tight end this week; however, that isn't saying much. Hartsock has just four receptions for 40 yards over the past four weeks, and only 11 targets (4.9 percent). He is a weak play and should be benched this week.

Scaife could have some value if he ends up playing, but he is currently listed as questionable for the team's Week 17 game. He was listed as questionable for the team's game last week, and ended up being a game-time decision; he didn't play. Keep an eye on KFFL this week to see whether he plays or not as he could have value if he does. He would still be a weak play. He has averaged 20 yards receiving and three targets (2.7 percent) in the past four weeks (two games).

The Patriots are allowing only 27 receiving yards per game to this position over the past four weeks. They are one of the best defenses against the position in that period.

KICKING MATCHUP

Place kicker Rob Bironas is having a much better sophomore year and will likely head into this offseason without the uncertainty that plagued him one year ago at this time. Bironas is averaging 2.3 field goal attempts (8-for-9) and 2.5 extra point attempts (10-for-10) over the past four weeks. He comes ranked as a low No. 1 or bench kicker this week, and he is a weak play.

The Patriots are allowing an average of 1.8 field goal attempts and 1.5 extra point attempts per game over the past four weeks.

DEFENSIVE MATCHUP

Despite allowing 29 points to the Bills last week, the Titans got the job done when it counted by keeping them off the board in the fourth quarter. They also picked off Bills quarterback J.P. Losman in the final two minutes to seal the victory. Over the past four weeks, they are allowing 21 offensive points, 248 passing yards and 132 rushing yards per game. They are also averaging 2.5 sacks, 1.8 interceptions, 0.3 fumble recoveries and 0.8 touchdowns per game. They might have put up good numbers overall since Week 13, however, they have a tough matchup this week and, as a weak play, should be benched against the Patriots.

The Patriots are averaging 21 offensive points, 193 passing yards and 106 rushing yards per game over the past four weeks. They are also allowing 2.3 sacks, 0.3 interceptions and 1.3 fumbles lost to opposing defenses per game in that time.

Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.