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Mike Mularkey‘s team has done their best to undo all playoff hopes in recent weeks, yet the Tennessee Titans still find themselves in a prime spot to enter the playoffs. Right now, they are seating on the top end of a three-way tie with Buffalo and Baltimore, with the Chargers right behind them. Heading into the last two weeks the Titan’s fate is in their own hands. Would you believe me if I told you that the Titans road to the playoffs might be incredibly easy? Well, you better start believing.
AFC Playoff Pictures
| Place | Team | Record | Division Record |
| 1st | New England Patriots | 11-3 | 3-1 |
| 2nd | Pittsburgh Steelers | 11-3 | 5-0 |
| 3rd | Jacksonville Jaguars | 10-4 | 4-1 |
| 4th | Kansas City Chiefs | 8-6 | 4-1 |
| 5th | Tennessee Titans | 8-6 | 4-1 |
| 6th | Buffalo Bills | 8-6 | 2-2 |
In The Hunt
| 7th | Baltimore Ravens | 8-6 | 3-2 |
| 8th | Los Angeles Chargers | 7-7 | 2-3 |
| 9th | Oakland Raiders | 6-8 | 2-3 |
| 10th | Miami Dolphins | 6-8 | 2-3 |
The next two games the Titans will face two teams destined for the playoffs. This week the Titans host the red-hot L.A. Rams (10-4), followed by division-rival Jacksonville (10-4) coming to Nashville. This appears daunting; however, they will only need to win one game to make it in. And that game will most likely be a pushover.
If the Titans lose this week to the Rams, or the Jaguars beat the San Francisco 49ers (which is likely), that will leave the Jaguars with no reason to win in week 17. If the Jaguars decide to rest their starters, week 17 will be a breeze for the boys in two-tone blue. In this scenario, Tennessee would still need the Bills, Ravens, and Chargers to do their part.
Baltimore is likely looking down the barrel of two straight wins as they host the Colts and Bengals in the final two weeks. This would make them the 5 seed, and the Titans would be hunting for the 6th. This leaves the Bills and Chargers in the way of the Titans ending their eight-year playoff drought.
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If Tennessee wins one game in their next two, the Bills would need to win both of their last two. This is because the Titans hold the tiebreaker over Buffalo (better conference record). The Bills head to Foxboro to take on a Tom Brady-led team that needs a win for home field advantage. So, at least one loss for them seems like a lock.
As for the Chargers, even if they win out (which they would have to do to tie) they would also lose the tiebreaker to a 9-7 Tennessee.
If this scenario works out (seems likely) then the Titans would be the 6th seed. This means that they would face the 3 seed: the Jacksonville Jaguars. This would allow the Titans to complete a feat that hasn’t been done in nearly a decade. Beating the same team three times in one season. Brings back memories of 1999, no?