My Chris Johnson Blog

In 2008, the Tennessee Titans ended Indy's reign at the top of the AFC South by posting an NFL-best 13-3 regular season record. But the Titans were not able to build on their impressive 2008 campaign. In fact, they were 0-6 before you could even blink last season.

Tennessee's horrific start prompted head coach Jeff Fisher to give quarterback Vince Young another shot. The move paid off as Tennessee went on to finish the year 8-2. It was too little too late in terms of the playoffs, but the Titans' second half surge has them very confident as they enter their 2010 campaign.

Offense: Led by running back Chris Johnson, the Titans boasted the No. 2 ranked rushing offense in the NFL last season. Johnson was nothing short of spectacular as he became only the sixth back in NFL history to eclipse the 2,000 yard mark in a single season. Johnson also proved to be a major asset in the passing game, catching 50 passes for 503 yards. He will be the focal point of the Tennessee offense once again.

Young got the shot he was looking for, and he took full advantage, leading the Titans to eight wins in 10 games while posting a quarterback rating of 82.8, the highest of his career. Tennessee's strong running attack will give Young plenty of play-action opportunities.

The Titans will also need Young to make plays with his legs. He is not a pure pocket passer, but he is a great athlete. Making teams respect his ability to pull it down and run will make the offense even more feared.

Nate Washington and Kenny Britt lead a receiving corps that will get an added boost from rookie Damian Williams

Michael Roose, David Stewart, Eugene Amamo and Jake Scott return to form one of the best blocking units in football.

Defense: Because of Johnson, Tennessee's offense has the potential to give opponents headaches, but it will be all for not if the defense can't hold up on its end of the bargain. The Titans ranked No. 28 in the NFL in scoring defense last season, giving up 25.1 points per game. Their disappointing pass defense was responsible for most of those points. In fact, the Titans finished next to last in the league in passing defense, allowing 258.7 yards per game.

While Kyle Vanden Bosch and Keith Bulluck have found new homes, I'm confident that Tennessee will defend much better in 2010.

Stud tackle Tony Brown anchors a solid line that will get a boost from rookie defensive end Derrick Morgan. The linebacker corps will miss Bulluck, but veterans Will Witherspoon and Stephen Tulloch will keep this unit respectable.

There is far too much talent in the secondary for the Titans to defend the pass as poorly as they did last year. Cornerback Cortland Finnegan, who tallied five interceptions in 2009, and Pro Bowl safeties Michael Griffin and Chris Hope are all solid, and there is a lot of competition for the other corner spot, where the addition of rookie corner Alterraun Verner provides depth.

Prediction: 2nd AFC South - 2009 left a sour taste in the mouth of the Titans. They'll want nothing more than to get rid of that taste with a playoff berth, which is very much in the cards when you consider how close they came last season despite an 0-6 start. Be sure to check out my 2010 NFL predictions to see which teams I like to win their respective divisions this season.