By John Sarianides

I may regret writing this piece but I am of the belief that the Tennessee Titans are a playoff team. The signing of free agent wide receiver Eric Decker this weekend only reinforces that notion for me. 

The Titans have an up and coming star at quarterback in Marcus Mariota, a top three offensive line and one of the best running back tandems in the NFL in DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. Add to that a receiving corp that features Decker, rookie Corey Davis, Tajae Sharpe and tight ends Delanie Walker and Jace Amaro and you can see why I am all about the Titans in 2017.

Defense will be the key for Tennessee. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has to find a way to get more pressure on the quarterback while at the same time protect a vulnerable secondary that lacks depth. It won’t be easy but if there is any coordinator in the NFL that can find a happy medium, it is LeBeau. 

Detractors of the Titans will point to head coach Mike Mularkey and say that he doesn’t have a winning pedigree. True, but Mularkey is a terrific offensive coach and he has proven that he can lead a young team to success in the past.

I want to point out that I am not implying that the Titans are a Super Bowl contender. They are good enough however on paper to make the playoffs and put a scare into a team on Wild Card weekend. You heard it here first. The Tennessee Titans will make the playoffs. If I am wrong, it won’t be the first time but I don’t think I am.