The Titans are all but locked into a playoff spot heading into Week 16. Mike broke down all the scenarios already, but I wanted to spotlight one that may hold particular ironic significance.
Titans make the playoffs if any of the six things below happen (just need one):
— Mike Herndon (@MikeMiracles) December 22, 2020
TEN over GB
TEN over HOU
LV over MIA
BUF over MIA
NYG over BAL
CIN over BAL
As long as all six of those games don’t go against them, they’re in.
It’s true that if the Titans take care of business, they don’t have to worry about any other team winning or losing. I’m very aware of this reality, you don’t have to tell me every time I tweet about the Titans playoff scenarios. Regardless of what the Titans do, there are other teams that could help them clinch sooner — which may allow the Titans to rest key players in Week 17. So yes, we’ll continue looking at all the scenarios that may help Tennessee.
One of those scenarios takes place this-coming Saturday night, with the Miami Dolphins heading to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders. A little over a week after Marcus Mariota electrified the final Thursday Night Football game of the 2020 season, the former Titans quarterback is seemingly in line to start another game for the Raiders with Derek Carr’s groin injury.
Last week, Mariota dueled with fellow Oregon star Justin Herbert. This week, he’s set to face fellow St. Louis High School alum Tua Tagovailoa in a Hawaiian showdown. And if that wasn’t enough storylines for one game, Mariota also takes on Ryan Tannehill’s former team with a chance to send Tannehill’s current team, and Mariota’s former team, to the playoffs.
A Miami loss seals the deal for Tennessee. Last time Mariota had a chance to seal a Titans playoff berth, he stiff-armed Barry Church into oblivion. Will he propel the Titans into the playoffs on Saturday night in a must-win game for the Raiders, who still have a (very) slim chance to play in the postseason?
I know I’ll be rooting for him.
