When Will the Tennessee Titans Play Again

For Ben Roethlisberger, this week was a gift he couldn't have expected.

His Pittsburgh Steelers shouldn't be in the NFL postseason. During the past couple of weeks, their odds to accomplish the playoffs dipped equally low as 2% at ane point. Three things had to happen for them in Week 18, and certain enough, the Steelers pulled out a win, the Jacksonville Jaguars stunned the Indianapolis Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders kicked a game-winning field goal in the final seconds of overtime against the LA Chargers, avoiding a tie that would take been in those teams' mutual interest while eliminating Pittsburgh.

And so the Steelers and Roethlisberger, their probable retiring quarterback, are yet playing every bit a surprise entrant into the wildcard circular. As the AFC's last and seventh seed, they're bound for Kansas City and a Dominicus night game confronting the second-seeded Chiefs.

"We're probably 20-point underdogs, and we're going to the No. 1 team," Roethlisberger told Steelers media this week with a whiff of sarcasm. "I know they're not the No. 1 seed, but they're the No. 1 team that's won the AFC the concluding two years. Arguably, the best team in football game.

"Nosotros don't have a chance. So allow's but go in and play and take fun."

For the record, the spread in Kansas Metropolis looks like it'll be about 12 points. Roethlisberger's meaning was well-taken, though. The Steelers aren't being given a chance against the Chiefs.

And every bit for the No. 1 seed he referenced, that's the Tennessee Titans.

The AFC's lone good day leaves the Titans watching three playoff games in the conference this weekend and seeing how things milkshake out before knowing who'll they host at Nissan Stadium in the divisional round.

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Their next opponent will be the AFC'due south survivor with the worst seed. It could be the Cincinnati Bengals (No. iv seed), Raiders (No. 5), New England Patriots (No. 6) or Roethlisberger's Steelers.

With that in mind, here are three things the Titans should root for during an unscheduled weekend at home:

one. Big Ben shocks the Chiefs

I know this flavor'southward Chiefs oasis't been what they were. I know they lost by 24 points at Nissan Stadium in Oct.

And I don't intendance.

The Chiefs are the most talented team in the AFC. If I'm the Titans, I want them gone.

The Steelers somehow winning that game would exist a jackpot scenario for the Titans. Not just would information technology eliminate Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, but information technology would mean the Titans get a rematch with a pedestrian Steelers team they should have beaten in Pittsburgh final month without Derrick Henry and A.J. Dark-brown.

It's highly unlikely to recall the Steelers, however, would trounce the Chiefs.

Failing that, the Titans should promise …

2. The Patriots lose and Raiders win

This scenario is far more possible. While the Bengals' offense looks lethal entering these playoffs, at that place's an unmistakable feel of new coin with Cincy's sudden arrival. They're but so immature, and franchises at that stage usually stop up having to have their licks in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Raiders – like the Steelers – are bringing a nothing-to-lose mentality afterward overcoming a crude regular season.

Having said that, the Titans would even so rather face up the Raiders than the explosive Bengals – who schemed upwardly the Titans wonderfully terminal flavor – or the sixth-seeded Patriots, who beat a depleted version of the Titans by 23 points in November.

While a Patriots win would knock out the third-seeded Buffalo Bills (that'southward presumably a good affair for the Titans), I'd say the Bills and Chiefs having to take bites of each other in one divisional semifinal while the Titans play the Raiders in the other would exist a nice setup for the Titans every bit you lot look ahead to the AFC title game.

But if it's going to be the Bengals that the Titans accept to face, then …

three. If the Bengals win, let information technology exist huge

I'm talking about a nasty blowout against the Raiders – touchdowns on the first five drives, 50-plus points, starters with helmets off past the fourth quarter.

Easy. Besides like shooting fish in a barrel.

While the Titans would rather have to not face the Bengals, if it'south inevitable, you'd like to see them fat and happy and the trendy selection of every NFL pundit and analytics devotee – most of whom don't remember much of the Titans – to come into Nashville and win a divisional game.

Boldness brings out the all-time in these Titans. Always has, always volition.

Reach Gentry Estes at gestes@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Gentry_Estes.

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Source: https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2022/01/14/tennessee-titans-playoffs-opponent-nfl-wildcard-weekend-scenarios/9172489002/

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