The Titans don't need help getting into the playoffs now, they need help building for the future. Don't read this if you still have hope that the Titans can get to the playoffs. This is purely for those who are already looking forward to the draft and want to know how the Titans can move "up" in the draft. With that mind, this is who the Titans should be (grudgingly) pulling for.
Houston Texans 2-7
The Texans play the Raiders this weekend in a winable game. If the Texans can get a win against the Raiders it will put both teams at three wins. The Titans still have to play both of these teams, and their tiebreaker could matter in the end.
The Giants play the Packers in what looked like a sure-fire loss a few weeks ago. However, the Giants are getting hot and the Packers are scraping the bottom of the barrel to find quarterbacks right now. If the Giants can get this win, then they will have the same record as the Titans with a much easier schedule.
The Steelers will have a tough task against a talented Detroit Lions team who is playing well. If the Steelers could pull off the upset it would pull them even with the Titans in total, but a tiebreaker would still put the Titans below them.
The Redskins started off the season slow, but after winning two of their last four, it seems like things are starting to click. Washington plays against a tough Eagles team this week, but divisional games are always tough outs and the Skins may sneak one out on the road.
The Bills play the New York Jets this week, and there are a few reasons why this could be a big weekend in Buffalo. The Bills have an excellent pass rush now, and the one thing that has made this Jets team look very pedestrian is Geno Smith's play under pressure. Getting to the quarterback shouldn't be hard in this game, and once Smith is sacked a few times he will start getting careless with the ball. Also, the Bills are getting healthy all over and that should mean a much different team than we have seen the last few weeks.
Ok Jacksonville, you ruined our season now go ruin yours. Nothing should make Titans fans happier than if the Jags go on a late season streak. With no shot at the playoffs, every win pushes the Jags toward another terrible season next year and farther away from a franchise QB.
So, the Vikings could win a game vs the Seahawks at home right....right? Well, probably not, but statistically it is what the Titans should be looking for.
Games we don't care about
Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay: Either team that wins this will move closer to the Titans.
Baltimore vs Chicago: A Baltimore win is the best case scenario. A terrible Chicago season could be a reason for Jay Cutler to walk in FA. Also Baltimore is a half-game ahead of the Titans, so a win puts them at 5-5.
Cleveland vs Cincinnati: Cleveland is the best case scenario, but either way an AFC team will grow their lead.
San Diego vs Miami: Both of these teams that were really important to the Titans when they were in the playoff hunt, now it really doesn't matter.
San Francisco vs New Orleans: Tennessee will never catch these teams.
Kansas City vs Denver: See SF vs NO.
New England vs Carolina: Both of these teams are trending upward, so it is unlikely that they will be an issue for the Titans.