2018 Tennessee Titans Season Win Totals Predictions and Expert Picks

2017 Record: 9-7

2018 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 6.0*

2018 Season Win Total Picks NCAA Football: 'Under'

Over the course of the past 20 years, there is a clear pattern in the NFL. Every year 12 teams make the playoffs. But during the past two decades, an average of about half of those teams don't' make a return trip to the postseason the following this year.

That means that six of last year's 12 playoff participants probably won't be playing in the postseason this January. And the Tennessee Titans are one of the prime options for anyone looking to predict which of last year's squads will come up short this year.

The Titans didn't just make the playoffs last year. They actually won a game, pulling a wild comeback against Kansas City to advance to the Divisional Round. Despite that success, and back-to-back winning seasons, head coach Mike Mularkey was fired immediately after the season and replaced with first-time coach Mike Vrabel.

I thought the Titans made a huge mistake by swapping Mularkey for Vrabel. Mularkey had his flaws. But, again, he guided the Titans to their first back-to-back winning seasons since Jeff Fisher's heyday. And while "exotic smashmouth" was a ridiculous moniker, the underlying philosophy - pound the ball on the ground, minimize mistakes, control the clock, and execute late in games - was perfectly sound.

Vrabel has never been a head coach at any level. He has given no indication that he has any idea what he is doing. And there is some serious dumpster fire potential with this franchise because of that.

Marcus Mariotta hasn't popped yet. He's been solid, but not spectacular, in his three seasons as a starter. His numbers took a dip last season - he threw only 13 touchdowns to 15 interceptions and had just a 79.3 rating - but Mariotta will be in a more aggressive in the passing attack this year. The hope will be that a lack of high-end receivers won't be an anchor around the neck of Mariotta's development.

Tennessee has continued to build up its defense, improving from No. 20 in 2016 to No. 13 last year. They will keep their 3-4 base defense, and they improved their secondary by adding corner Malcolm Butler and safeties Kendrick Lewis and Kenny Vaccaro. Tennessee was also No. 5 in the NFL in sacks last year with 43. And if they can get that type of pressure from the front seven again this year then they will be fine.

The Titans were actually outscored by 22 points last season. They won six games by a touchdown or less, as many as the rest of the teams in their division combined. Tennessee outpaced its Pythagorean wins total by nearly two victories, and they were No. 3 in the NFL in fewest starts lost to injury. On top of that, Houston and Indianapolis should be much more competitive in the division this year if they can get healthy quarterback play.

The good news about the schedule is that only two of their road games are against 2017 playoff teams. And those two games are against the Bills and Jaguars. The bad news is that at one point the Titans have to play four of five on the road, including a trip to London to take on the Chargers on Oct. 21.

There are a lot of red flags flying around this team. And I don't see this group being able to build on last year's postseason accomplishments. I'm not high on Vrabel, and there is nothing to get excited about with this group. They are perfectly mediocre. I don't see the bottom dropping completely out for the Titans. They will win some games and cash some tickets this season. But I don't see them topping .500, and I'll play them 'under'.

Robert Ferringo has been the top football handicapper in the country the past seven years, earning nearly $28,000 in total football profit. He has also posted seven of nine winning seasons (including back-to-back winning years) and produced 26 of 41 winning football months and an amazing 45 of 70 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 900 totals picks. Also, Robert's proprietary KING College Football Betting System has posted three of five winning seasons. Robert is looking for a third straight winning football year and wants more profit this fall. SIGN UP HERE TODAY AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR 3-FOR-1 FOOTBALL SPECIALS!

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