2017 Tennessee Titans Season Win Total Picks

2016 Record: 9-7

2017 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 9.0

2017 Season Win Total Prediction: 'Under'

My patience and belief in the Titans finally paid off last season. After predicting that Tennessee would be " much better than their expectations " they went out and proved me correct by winning nine games, nearly double the five victories they mustered in 2014 and 2015.

Now the word is out on this team. And Tennessee enters the 2017 season as one of Everyone's Sleeper Teams. That is to say that the Titans have become the trendy, sexy pick by prognosticators and media bobbleheads to win the AFC South and make their first playoff appearance since 2008.

There is plenty to like about this squad. Their stubborn insistence on running the ball paid dividends last year and set the tone for the turnaround. Tennessee was fourth in the NFL in rushing attempts per game, tied for fourth in yards per carry, and third in the league in total rushing yards, just 13 yards per game behind the much more ballyhooed Dallas Cowboys attack.

Tennessee's throwback style was both refreshing and successful. It not only set the tone for the entire team, but their commitment to smashmouth football helped take the pressure off the two most vulnerable areas of their team: young quarterback Marcus Mariota and the defense.

Mariota made significant progress in his second season, throwing for more than 3,400 yards and 26 touchdowns. But he failed to make it through the year healthy again, and that's becoming a red flag. Mariota has several new weapons to work with - including the outstanding Eric Decker signing - and whether or not the young QB breaks out (or breaks down) will determine Tennessee's ceiling this year.

The defense adjusted well to the leadership of venerable Dick LeBeau, who came to Nashville after a distinguished time in Pittsburgh. The Titans were the No. 2 rushing defense in football and will look to build on that now that they have their scheme down. But they have made a lot of personnel adjustments since last season, and it remains to be seen if they have improved in the secondary, the main culprit behind the teams' No. 20 overall defensive ranking.

The Titans won a lot of close games last year, going 5-0 in games decided by six points or less. They also benefitted from a pretty easy schedule as they played only six games against 2016 playoff teams (with two coming against division rival Houston). They will face an upgraded slate this year, with Oakland and Miami replacing Cleveland and Chicago as Tennessee's "option" games. Four of their first five games are against teams that played in the postseason last year. And two primetime games - a Monday nighter hosting Indianapolis and a Thursday night game at Pittsburgh - means two short weeks.

You want to be a year too early on a team rather than a years too late. Last year I was driving the Titans bandwagon, including them as one of my coveted NFL Futures Wagers. Right now I feel like the bandwagon is full and the value is going the other way with this group. I like the Titans. I think they are a good, up-and-coming team and I like their roster and style of play. But Mike Mularkey is still 27-46 in his career for a reason. And the Titans aren't going to be sneaking up on people this year. Play them 'under'.

Titans Regular Season Schedule (All times CST)

Robert Ferringo has been the top football handicapper in the country the past five years, earning nearly $14,000 in total football profit. He has also posted five of seven winning seasons (including a winning 2016-17) and Robert tallied over $20,000 in football profit between 2011 and 2016, including his amazing 2013 NFL season in which he hit 62.1 percent (95-58). Robert has produced 18 of 29 winning football months and an amazing 41 of 64 winning football months over the past decade. Robert has eight of 10 winning NFL preseasons and he is at nearly 60 percent winners over his last 800 totals picks. Also, Robert's proprietary KING College Football Betting System has posted three of five winning seasons Robert is looking to follow up a winning 2016 with more profit this fall. SIGN UP HERE TODAY AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR EARLY BIRD SPECIALS !

We are offering new clients $60 in free college football picks for Robert's picks or any Advisory Board handicapper of your choosing. Get your free college football picks now !

Read more articles by Robert Ferringo