Titans vs Jets: Week 4 is a Must-Win Game for Tennessee

Dec 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) throws a pass against the New York Jets at LP Field. The Titans defeated the Jet 14-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

In Week 4, the Tennessee Titans square off against the New York Jets Sunday in a pivotal match up that may decide the Titans season. It’s only Week 4, however, a Titans victory means much more than most people think. After they play the Jets, the Titans face off against the Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers. The Titans will win one of those three games. Best case scenario, the titans are 4-3 after seven games.

Not only is this a huge game for the Titans, it’s also a huge game for Jake Locker. He’s starting to get mentioned around the league for his play thus far and he needs a big game Sunday for the Titans to win. Locker’s pocket presence this season has been remarkably better than last seasons. That is the key to his success so far this year. He’s willing to stay in the pocket and let a play develop before just taking off and scrambling.

The Titans biggest offseason acquisition so far? Bernard Pollard. Without question, Pollard has brought some toughness to the defense. The blocked field goal gave the team momentum into halftime and was the biggest factor of the game. His determination and will to play football has lighted a fire in this defense. They are swarming to the ball with disguised blitzes designed by Gregg Williams. Williams has also had a major impact on this defense whether Jerry Gray likes it or not. They are taking a lot of chances that they didn’t take last year.

The Titans will deal with a stout Jets defense and a better-than-expected Geno Smith at quarterback. Geno looks like a second-round steal so far for the Jets. Bilal Powell is a nice bruising back, much like Shonn Greene was for the Jets last season. If the Titans are going to win, they must make the Jets running back non-existent and make Geno throw it 35 times.

I’m going to pick the Titans to out last the Jets 27-24 on a last-second field goal by Rob Bironas. The Titans will head into the toughest part of their schedule 3-1.