Tennessee’s red zone TD efficiency will determine playoff

By Marc Hudgens  |   Tuesday, December 18, 2007  |  Comments( 0 )

Tennessee Titans
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After falling to San Diego two weeks ago, Tennessee's playoff plight became more desperate. And this past weekend's 26-17 win over Kansas City wasn't exactly reassuring.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record from previous columns, the Titans' inability to score touchdowns after entering the red zone will most likely rear its ugly head during at least one of the last two games (vs. New York Jets, at Indianapolis).

The red zone problem runs deeper than you think: Seven times in three of the past four games, Tennessee has reached the 11-yard line or better and was either sacked, committed a penalty, or simply couldn't convert a fourth-and-short situation. In the Titans' recent 35-6 loss in Cincinnati, the offense got inside the 5-yard line three times and couldn't enter the end zone. Simply put, that is inexcusable.

As for last week, Kansas City's defense leads the league in red zone touchdown prevention, as opposing offenses have only scored 37 percent of the time. But the fact is if you can't punch it in when you're inside the 10, you have serious problems. Good offenses score touchdowns with ease when they're that close, and it's clear the Titans' 'O' isn't exactly above average.

Tennessee's last two regular-season opponents allow red zone touchdowns about 55 percent of the time, so maybe the Titans have a better shot at converting. To have any shot at making the playoffs, they had better start cashing in their opportunities.

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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He ...
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