FanPost

Titans face wounded animal in week 1

Ask any NFL player around the league and they'll say the same thing...."Actually, I don't read the papers, or watch ESPN, or get on social media. I have no clue what people are saying. I'm just focusing on...."


Raise your hand if you believe that.


I understand the rationale behind the answer, because it's mostly asked in reference to negative press. But what if the things you're reading actually slant in your favor? If you're the Tennessee Titans...you better stop reading.....


Now.


Coming into their season opener, the Titans...if they are reading...must like what they are seeing. They see the Chiefs' best receiver being suspended for the game. They see a team with a depleted offensive line, and injury riddled receiving corps. They see a team that lost one it's best defensive backs, and they now have a player in Dexter McCluster that basically did it all for their opponent the previous season.


If they are watching tv or listening to the radio the Titans are hearing one national pundit after another pick Kansas City as the team least likely to return to the playoffs. I even heard Stephen A Smith recently say that the 2013 Chiefs were the worst 9-0 team he's ever seen.


The worst?


Kansas City did all it could to earn the bad rap, losing 5 of their last seven regular season games, and blowing a 38-10 lead in the wild card round.


Add that all up, and you will have a very ticked off and fired up opponent Sunday afternoon. An opponent that plays in one of the rowdiest stadiums in the league. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will have his team ready to play.


And by the way, Jamaal Charles will be playing.


Tennessee should benefit from the element of surprise this week, as head coach / play caller Ken Whisenhunt rolls out his new scheme for the first time. Coach Whiz also has the benefit of familiarity, having played the Chiefs twice last year as San Diego's offensive coordinator.


It all comes down to Jamaal Charles. We've seen him carry his offensive on the ground and through the air on several occasions. He's healthy and fully capable of doing it on Sunday. We've also witnessed a Titans first team defense give up td's with little resistance this preseason.


The Titans offense looked great this preseason, and should be the most talented unit on the field Sunday. If a shoot out at high noon were to occur, the chances for an upset increases.


For Tennessee's sake, I hope they did stay away from all of the Chiefs bashing. They should look at Kansas City as a playoff team from a year ago, that came into their house last year and won. A team with a good head coach, and true home field advantage.


A team just like you, not predicted to do much...and looking to prove people wrong.


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