Week 11 NFL Predictions

I don’t have much to say this week, which is unfortunate, since you guys won't have much to watch this week. Three winning weeks in a row, though – even if my record has gotten progressively worse each week.

*Week 10: 7-6

*Overall: 54-41

Washington Redskins (4-5) at Tennessee Titans (5-4): OK, when I said Shanahan was killing his own team, I didn’t mean he was demoralizing them THAT badly. Either way, ‘Skins aren’t going to recover from that one in under a week.

Titans over Redskins: 31-20

Detroit Lions (2-7) at Dallas Cowboys (2-7): In my defense of last week, after watching the Bills give up three straight shoulda-been wins, would you have picked them against your favorite team, which should’ve beaten the Jets? Yes. That being said, I would not want to be in the Cowboys’ way right now. The team’s playing like everybody’s jobs are on the line (and they probably are).

Cowboys over Lions: 27-13

Buffalo Bills (1-8) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-7): Can we get a two-game win streak for the Bills? … um, no. Not on the road. Or at home. Or really anywhere (I feel like I’m reciting Green Eggs and Ham here).

Bengals over Bills: 31-10

Arizona Cardinals (3-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-4): The Chiefs needed this “break” badly. I can’t see this team losing three straight, with the third at home.

Chiefs over Cardinals: 28-13

Green Bay Packers (6-3) at Minnesota Vikings (3-6): I hate picking the Vikings. It’s just irritating, because I know they’re going to flame out, and eventually the team will have to accept what Favre is and bench him. That being said, there’s barely in a drama in this division, and this division needs drama.

Vikings over Packers: 17-14

Houston Texans (4-5) at New York Jets (7-2): This is not the season Gary Kubiak envisioned after Houston’s Week 1 win. We all know that. It’s too late for them to turn the season around, but I think you can expect a surprise here.

Texans over Jets: 21-17

Oakland Raiders (4-5) at Pittsburg Steelers (6-3): Anyone else notice the irony in the fact that Big Ben comes back, the offense plays better, and the Steelers goes 3-2 in that stretch? I did. It’s about to be 4-2, though. Raiders may be the best team in an OK division, but they aren’t doing what New England did last week.

Steelers over Raiders: 28-7

Baltimore Ravens (6-3) at Carolina Panthers (1-8): When in doubt, I usually go for the home team. Good thing my only doubt about this one is Ray Rice getting to 20 fantasy points this week.

Ravens over Panthers: 31-7

Cleveland Browns (3-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4): I don’t think Cleveland is a good team by any margin, but I think it does play a great spoiler team, with its consistency on offense, but I’ll save another of those upset calls for another week. Jacksonville finally seems to be clicking, and a home win against Cleveland is a must if the Jags want to stay in playoff contention.

Jaguars over Browns: 24-17

Atlanta Falcons (7-2) at St. Louis Rams (4-5): The Rams are no longer in first. Order seems to have been restored in the West … until this week at least.

Rams over Falcons: 21-17

Seattle Seahawks (5-4) at New Orleans Saints (6-3): Reality check time for the Seahawks, same as the Raiders. This is just a decent team controlling an awful division.

Saints over Seahawks: 28-16

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) at San Francisco 49ers (3-6): I’m officially drinking the Raheem Morris Kool-Aid, but I don’t think it’s gonna pan out this week. Given how desperate the Niners have to be at this point, plus the 3,500-mile home-field advantage, and I have to side with San Fran here.

49ers over Buccaneers: 24-21

Indianapolis Colts (6-3) at New England Patriots (7-2): I’m a little irritated at the scheduling on this one. Greatest game of the regular season for nearly a decade running, and it’s scheduled as an afternoon game – which I can’t watch because of work – instead of a night game. Way to hold the ball on this one, NFL. That being said, the Patriots got their marquee win last week. The Colts will get theirs this week, on a last-minute come-from-behind touchdown by Manning.

Colts over Patriots: 28-24

New York Giants (6-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (6-3): I refuse to admit I’m wrong about the Giants. This team will collapse at some point this year. No better time than the present … or just in Philly against Vick.

Eagles over Giants: 31-20

Denver Broncos (3-6) at San Diego Chargers (4-6): I do not want to pick for this game. The two will probably combined for 628 passing yards, 284 rushing … and three touchdowns. I don’t understand how offenses this good – and defense, in the Chargers’ case – can be part of such bad teams. It’s something to watch, though.

Chargers over Broncos: 17-13

Week 10 NFL Predictions

OK, so my Detroit prediction failed last week. I forgot how remarkably consistent teams, which have spent the last decade at the bottom of the league, are at falling apart when it seems impossible to do so. There’s always next year, I guess?

Also, I’m a little sad that I forgot about Thursday night’s game. I picked Atlanta to win. Apparently that was something of an upset – division-leading team at home is an underdog. That’s a new one – but I can’t count it, because I didn’t write it down.

Oh well, I’ll just have to go perfect this week.

*Week 9: 8-5

*Overall: 47-35

First back-to-back winning weeks, by the way. Not the biggest brag, but I can take it.

Detroit Lions (2-6) at Buffalo Bills (0-8): Remember how I said the Bears would be the team to give up Buffalo’s first win, and they managed to pull another win out of nowhere again? Yeah, Buffalo doesn’t seem to want to get anything this year.

As for the Lions, Matthew Stafford’s out again, but I think that may actually be a blessing in disguise. Don’t get me wrong, I’m slowly starting to be won over by the ‘Dawg (ew.), but I think Shaun Hill has better chemistry with the team, and if anyone can ensure a victory over a winless team, it’ll be Hill. That, plus Jim Schwartz not bombing the play-calling this week.

Lions over Bills: 27-7

Minnesota Vikings (3-5) at Chicago Bears (5-3): I don’t know which team has it better/worse. The Vikings, who seem to catch the weirdest breaks at the weirdest moments – think last week’s comeback versus the Cardinals, right after dumping Randy Moss – or the Bears, who just seem to hand victories about and get them returned twofold.

Here, I think it’ll be Bears. Mostly, because they’re at home, and I don’t have a clue how else to gauge this game, but also because the Vikings were L.U.C.K.Y last week. This team doesn’t know how to make the playoffs. I’m not saying the Bears do, but as long as Jay Cutler isn’t playing the role of meat being tenderized, the Bears actually have a pretty solid team.

Bears over Vikings: 21-16

New York Jets (6-2) at Cleveland Browns (3-5): I wanna say the Browns can pull off the shock twice in a row. And I wanna say the Jets can lose three times (Oh wait…two out of three. Never mind.) in a row. But it doesn’t matter how enticing this rivalry could become in the next few years – with Rob Ryan, Rex’s brother, as defensive coordinator for the Browns, as well as Eric Mangini, who took the Browns coaching position after being unceremoniously ousted from the same position in New York, facing off against Rex and the Jets – the Jets simply are too good to collapse midseason like this. Even is Mark Sanchez is still overrated.

Jets over Browns: 24-13

Cincinnati Bengals (2-6) at Indianapolis Colts (5-3): Bengals are in free fall, which is kind of weird, considering Palmer is as close to true form as he’s been in five years, and the Bengals have recently been known for their defense, not high-flying offense. Somehow, though, this team is just coming apart. And playing the Colts off a loss is not a good way to re-stitch those seams

(I really don’t have to say much more about Indy. We all know about Peyton.)

Colts over Bengals: 31-20

Tennessee Titans (5-3) at Miami Dolphins (4-4): Two major issues exist here for the Dolphins: 1) They haven’t won at home this year. Granted, it’s been against stiff competition, but two have been division rivalry games, so that’s definitely not a good thing; 2) Teams don’t get much more consistent than the Titans. Road or away, you can usually expect them to bring about the same level of performance each game.

Growing up watching the Titans, I know all too much about the latter. Home-field advantage for the Titans is not a big deal. Conversely, though, road games are no big threats either. And I like how that’s playing off here.

Titans over Dolphins: 17-14

Carolina Panthers (1-7) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-3): Poor Panthers. I no longer stand by my statement that this is a playoff team, but seriously, who has worse luck than these guys? Minus most of their running backs and their starting quarterback coming into this game. That’s just not right.

As for the Bucs, who in the world saw this coming? They’ve not been seriously blown out this year, and, granted, they have one of the easiest schedules in the league, but so did the Arizona Cardinals a couple years back. Ask them how the Super Bowl turned out. The Bucs may not be Super Bowl caliber, but you can chalk up at least one more win this week.

Buccaneers over Panthers: 24-13

Houston Texans (4-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4): Both of these teams have spent most of the season equal parts hype and disappointment. The Texans just can’t seem to get a consistent thing going – seriously, where the heck is Matt Schaub? This is his team, not Arian Foster’s – while the Jaguars are matched in schizophrenia only by the two NFC West leaders, Arizona and Seattle.

Let’s face it: Given the relatively surprising success of the Titans this year, neither of these teams has a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. But I think Houston’s going to keep itself out of last place for the second year in a row, starting with a win in Jax.

Texans over Jaguars: 30-24

Kansas City Chiefs (5-3) at Denver Broncos (2-6): Really, I don’t wanna waste time on this. Kyle Orton to Brandon Lloyd has been one bright spot in a very dreary season that serves only to make Bronco Nation regret firing Mike Shanahan.

Kansas City, meanwhile, is putting together a legitimate squad that’s matched by only, dare I say it, Oakland. Even if this game is mile high, the Chiefs heads are in the clouds right now, while the Broncos are in free fall.

Chiefs over Broncos: 21-13

Dallas Cowboys (1-7) at New York Giants (6-2): And I’m freeeeeee … freeeeefallin. What if the Super Bowl half-time show this year was Tom Petty?

Giants over Cowboys: 31-10

Seattle Seahawks (4-4) at Arizona Cardinals (3-5): I’ve given up even trying to understand the Seahawks.

The Cardinals, however, have the mark of a decent team that simply needs a quarterback. They’ve played well in most instances, and great in some (New Orleans). Any other year against any other division, this would be a practice year. This year, though, against this competition, I see the Cardinals having a chance. Hosting the bipolar Seahawks this week certainly isn’t hurting them.

Cardinals over Seahawks: 20-3

St. Louis Rams (4-4) at San Francisco 49ers (2-6): Well, the 49ers owner came out a couple weeks ago and said his team would win the NFC West. Now’s the time to put up or shut up. I gotta say, though, I do like this lineup, with Troy Smith in, instead of Alex Smith. If not for a bout of ill-timed food poisoning, Troy Smith could very well have been the Ravens’ starter in their playoff run a couple years ago.

The Rams have been one of this season’s pleasant surprises. They’re not quite on the level of the Bucs and the Chiefs, but at the same time, seeing them do well, after so many years of misery, is something I think almost everyone who has no vested interest in the NFC West playoff race kind of enjoys watching. This week, though, gotta go with the Niners.

49ers over Rams: 17-14

New England Patriots (6-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2): I don’t care who you like, this game is football at its finest. Two teams that have dominated in recent years, one on a prolific offense with a defense that gets the job done, the other the exact opposite.

Granted, last week was embarrassing, but Brady seems to have fully recovered, and the Patriots’ D has been a surprise this year, while the Steelers’ D has been even better than usual, and Big Ben’s return hasn’t hurt, either. Belichick coming off a loss is dangerous, but so is Heinz Field at night. Still though, I can’t see this New England squad dropping two in a row.

Patriots over Steelers: 17-13

Philadelphia Eagles (5-3) at Washington Redskins (4-4): Alright, the emotion of Donovan McNabb’s return to Philly has worn off, and Michael Vick’s reality has set in. I don’t know what Mike Shanahan is doing to his team, but he’s killing the ‘Skins chemistry, and let’s face it: The Eagles are the better team, and they’re going to want revenge.

Eagles over Skins: 20-17

Week 9 NFL Predictions

I’ve got awesome news for you guys, and I know every last one of you will care. Care to hazard a guess? … That’s right. Detroit is still in contention for the NFC North with a win over the Jets today. We all knew it was coming …

OK, so I’m kidding (sort of). But I’ve got plenty of reasons to be excited. As one friend put it, the Pack laid the groundwork on how to shut down the Jets, and if the Lions follow it, they should coast. The Lions offense literally can’t be stopped right now. It’s the fact that they’re giving up almost 25 points a game that’s killing them.

Also, the Titans are on bye this week, so I can spend the next seven days praying that I dreamed the waiver claim. Too bad that part won’t happen.

With that, here’re this week’s picks:

*Week 8: 9-4

*Overall: 39-30

Chicago Bears (4-3) at Buffalo Bills (0-7): The depressing downward spiral of the Bears only gets worse here, I’m afraid. Buffalo has been too close too many times to not be able to pull one out, while Jay Cutler seems to be hanging on by a very thin thread.

As of right now, Mike Martz seems like he’s actually trying to get Cutler killed, and he’s doing a pretty good job. And somehow, Ryan Fitzpatrick (who knew? Better yet, who knows?) has been the spark the Bills have needed to finally put up some points this season.

Bills over Bears: 24-17

New York Jets (5-2) at Detroit Lions (2-5): I’ll be honest: I may have a little fan bias on this one. But I’m looking at a Lions team that is putting up 25 points per game, has only been truly beaten once (Week 3, Minnesota), seems like they’re defense is actually becoming something special, and Detroit’s had an extra week to prepare for a Jets team that looked completely flummoxed by the Pack last week.

I’m not saying I’ve forgotten about Mark Sanchez and his best receiving corps and backfield that money can buy; I’m just saying I think Detroit can score more. And that’s what wins games, my friends.

Lions over Jets: 31-20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2) at Atlanta Falcons (5-2): Raheem Morris truly believes he has the best team in the conference. That’s a lovely sentiment, but the reality is, it has the best schedule in the conference. The Buccaneers are a potential playoff team, and Josh Freeman looks like he’s settled in, but they are not beating Mike Smith, Matt Ryan and co. at home, when first place in the division is on the line.

Falcons over Buccaneers: 24-10

New England Patriots (6-1) at Cleveland Browns (2-5): You know what’d be really funny? If Brady threw the game-losing interception because he forgot to sweep his hair out of his eyes before the snap. But really, I think the Patriots will struggle. One New England receiver has been able to go off each week, which has saved the offense from exposure, but what happens when a team shuts Welker and Branch down and the unknown backups can’t pick up the slack? We know they can’t fall back on a running game.

Meanwhile, that’s about Cleveland has. If Peyton Hillis were playing for, say, a playoff team, he would probably have 700 yards and 10 TDs right now. He is that good. The best part about Cleveland, though, is that it fights. Detroit and Buffalo aside, this team has probably suffered more close losses than anyone in the league. But occasionally, it’ll be a close win. Plus, I think it’s fun watching the experts struggle with all this “parody” this year.

Browns over Patriots: 34-17 (I didn’t say it would be close, did I?)

Arizona Cardinals (3-4) at Minnesota Vikings (2-5): I almost said, “Here’s a game that doesn’t matter.” Then I remember the Cardinals are in the NFC West, and it very much does matter. I’m hesitant to say the Cardinals’ motivation will be enough to pull out a win for this one, just because they really have nothing on offense. Occasionally, you’ll get the unexpected performance out of them – like the 30-17 trouncing they put on New Orleans – but this is not a good offensive team.

The biggest weakness for the Vikings, I think, aside from Favre, is their defense right now. It’s not bad, but it certainly isn’t playing up to the level it should be. That being said, Sidney Rice is coming back, and it’s the Cardinals at home. They should survive.

Vikings over Cardinals: 27-20

New Orleans Saints (5-3) at Carolina Panthers (1-6): The Saints have a nasty tendency to just get trounced by the awful teams – this is actually a good thing come playoff time, if you think about it – but I think the Panthers are awful enough that this doesn’t matter, especially since the Saints won’t be taking them lightly after their first meeting. Remember how I said for five weeks that I still thought Carolina had playoff potential? Yeah … that’s really all I’ve got to say on that.

Saints over Panthers: 31-17

Miami Dolphins (4-3) at Baltimore Ravens (5-2): I do not understand the Dolphins. How do you 4-0 on the road and 0-3 at home? Maybe the visiting team is so stunned by the women in South Beach that they have extra incentive? Who knows. Either way, ‘Phins are on the road, so it’s moot. The big thing here is that Dan Carpenter is healthy, and Miami’s going to need that leg against a team that historically relies on its kicker.

I think this game comes down to Ray Rice, though. He’s been less than stellar this year, having only one truly great game and scoring both of his touchdowns then. The Ravens have a great receiving corps and Flacco looks solid this year, but if Rice doesn’t get it going, even with McGahee playing well, it’s just hard to see the Ravens putting up enough points to match Miami. Good news is, Rice is due for another good game.

Ravens over Dolphins: 24-19 (Yes, I do think the ‘Phins will kick four field goals.)

San Diego Chargers (3-5) at Houston Texans (4-3): By all accounts, the Chargers should be dead, out of the playoff running. But they do this every year, plus have the No. 1 offense and defense in the NFL right now (explain that one). The problem is, the majority of that No. 1 offense comes in the form of Antonio Gates, who isn’t playing this week. Rivers has made it work with receivers that I bet you couldn’t name even if you watched the Chargers play a week ago, but at Houston, against an offense that can score whichever way it feels like, will be a challenge.

Houston meanwhile, just seems to lack a winner’s mindset. Maybe it’s because this franchise isn’t used to be a contender, but it continues to underperform with the talent it has. This offense should be miles ahead of everyone in the league, and yet Matt Schaub is barely averaging 200 yards per game. The bye week and the home field should help tremendously, but the Texans need to do some serious soul searching.

Texans over Chargers: 28-25

New York Giants (5-2) at Seattle Seahawks (4-3): Anybody else out there think all those Giants bandwagoners are going to look hilarious when they fall/jump/dive off that wagon in the coming weeks? Ahmad Bradhsaw is playing out of his mind, yes, and Eli Manning is having a decent year. But let’s keep in mind, I said Eli. You know, choke artist who redefines family of choke artists? (Let’s keep this straight: I love Peyton Manning, but the man can not win big games when it matters.)

Also, I hate enigmas. And the Seahawks are an enigma. They’re not just good at home, bad on the road. They are ridiculously good at home and ridiculously bad on the road. It’s like they forget how to play the second they leave Qwest Field. Lucky for them, they’re at Qwest. And they’re due for another rushing touchdown. Yeah, they have two. For the season. Total. Ew.

Seahawks over Giants: 28-17

Kansas City Chiefs (5-2) at Oakland Raiders (4-4): I don’t think this game has mattered since it was a big deal that Bo Jackson played football for Oakland and baseball for Kansas City. But New England West – I’m sorry, I mean Kansas City – has built an extremely solid team, thanks to the help of a great coaching staff, a great backfield, and a defense full of young future Pro Bowlers. I said I expected 10-6 from the Chiefs, but even I’m shocked at how well this team is closing out games.

The Raiders, meanwhile, I don’t understand. So they bench Campbell, put up 59 points, bring Campbell back, put up 33 points. Seriously, what the heck? I knew their defense could be shut-down, as long as it focused on the run, but I always assumed that means 17-10 games, not 59-14 ones. Here’s the problem, though: Oakland’s run D is not good, and the last two weeks, it’s faced teams that would struggle to run the ball even with only four guys playing defense.

Kansas City is not that flawed. Look for 350 yards on the ground and for the Raiders to come crashing back down to reality.

Chiefs over Raiders: 34-20

Indianapolis Colts (5-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (4-3): I know I said Peyton isn’t clutch, but his talent still irks me. It isn’t fair how somebody minus the nation’s best tight end, using several undrafted or high-round-pick wide receivers can simply keep chugging along at a 4,000-yard-per-season pace. I don’t think Philly will slow him down, but I do think they’re going to leave him bruised and battered.

As for the Eagles, he’s baaaaack. I can’t believe I’m admitting that Vick seems to be legitimate at this point, but what he’s done for this team is unreal. It’s motivated and playing well beyond what its talent level should be accomplished. And here, the team’s at home against Indy. And I think that’s the edge the Eagles are going to need for this week.

Eagles over Colts: 21-17

Dallas Cowboys (1-6) at Green Bay Packers (5-3): It would be funny if Dallas came into Green Bay and shocked the world with a win. And it would keep NBC from trying to put a hit out on Jerry Jones after scheduling this game. But it’s not going to happen. I’ve never a seen a team as talented as this, yet so dysfunctional.

Packers over Cowboys: 34-14

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-5): ESPN is silently considering the same thing as NBC. They were thinking division title implications at this point. As much as Ben Roethlisberger irritates me, it’s hard to argue with how good he makes this team, which was already one of the best in the league without a proven quarterback.

As for Cincinnati, the only trouble they give teams is figuring out how to spell that city (seriously, I misspell it every time). Plus, Roethlisberger gets a chance to seek a little vengeance against the team that swept the Steelers last year, on its own turf. You don’t think the Steelers are drooling a little bit over this one? I do think Palmer and the Bengals will be able to put up some great numbers against Pittsburgh today, but it’s not going to be enough.

Steelers over Bengals: 28-20

Moss to Titans? Bad move.

I have a complaint to lodge. This was supposed to be my easy semester, my last one, 12 credits, including one class that should be an easy A. Instead, I get saddled with the last two weeks, where I never got more than five hours of sleep and had to do something like 10 out-of-class assignments.

But it’s cool. I’ve got four more over the next week, then I’m home-free till Thanksgiving.

As usual, I have a reason for telling this: I’m not simply putting my picks up on Sunday morning, with little description to go with them, for no reason. Getting a couple hours extra sleep on a weekend is just that valuable to me right now.

But since I got out of work an hour early tonight and since some earth-shattering (only if you’re a Titans fan, I guess) news just broke, I thought I’d take the time to reintroduce myself to the blogosphere.

For those who haven’t heard, Randy Moss was claimed off waivers … by the Tennessee Titans. On the outset, this looks like a great deal. The Titans now have a legitimate, proven deep threat, which they’ve lacked since Kevin Dyson. They’ve also gotten a great replacement for the injured Kenny Britt. Moss has a place with a proven, veteran quarterback, as well as a veteran, level-headed coach. The Titans are legitimate playoff contenders, which pretty much ensures that Moss will give most of his effort … most of the time, at least.

So with all these benefits, what could possibly be wrong with this deal? Only everything else.

Randy Moss is like one of the massive, exotic animals you go to the zoo to see. He’s fascinating to watch, gorgeous in a way, and, as long as he’s viewed from afar or from behind some protective casing, you could watch him all day. But the second he gets closer to you, you realize just how terrifying he truly is.

I don’t love Randy Moss the person, and I doubt many fans who know his personality do. But I do love the football field Moss. He’s entertaining and he’s full of surprises, but mostly, he’s incredible. I only ever saw Jerry Rice in his waning days, so I have no comparison to Moss’ talent. All I can say is, when he wants to, he seems completely untouchable.

And when he’s playing for a team you don’t care about, that’s great. You can ignore his off-the-field rants and the fact that he just sometimes turns it off in the middle of games. You can’t do that when he comes to your team.

Moss is poison personified. Childress may be vilified for releasing Moss in the manner he did, and I don’t agree with it, but I do understand it. Moss wasn’t being productive, and he was already creating problems in the locker room. If action wasn’t taken immediately, there was a chance the Vikings would be worse than they already were. Childress cut his losses, assumed the risk and did what needed to be done.

So it’ll be different with the Titans right? Like I mentioned earlier, he’s got all kinds of reasons to be happy, so why won’t he play nice? All it takes is one thing.

The Titans are a good, borderline great, team this year, and they have the league’s best offense. It’s the best offense, not because it’s the most talented (although Chris Johnson certainly helps), but because the team meshes. Johnson aside, there are no superstars, and even Johnson seems to understand the team aspect.

That being said, Moss cannot be the No. 1 receiver for the rest of the year. Granted, it’s hard to imagine a better way to replace your best receiver for a few weeks than with the greatest receiver this generation, but this can’t end well.

Either Moss performances like he has the potential to and gets the starting job – which means Britt comes back, forced into the No. 2 slot, upsetting him and completely screwing up the obvious Vince Young-to-Kenny Britt connection that’s developed – or, regardless of his performance, Moss is demoted to No. 2 upon Britt’s return, which means Tennessee has to deal with whiny, sulky Moss, who doesn’t try but still gets paid $200,000 a game.

I don’t like either scenario.

Plus, remember what I said about poison? New England was able to mask this because of Belichick’s stance that no player is great than the team and because of personalities, like Tom Brady’s, that were so overwhelmingly powerful, Moss simply had to fall in line.

Tennessee does not have this. Kevin Mawae was forced into retirement over the offseason, Keith Bulluck was discarded and Kerry Collins is a back-up. Collins is a great, mature individual, but there is no way Moss takes his orders from a guy who won’t even start most of the season.

Jeff Fisher can’t be the answer, either. He can only hold so much sway over the players, and unlike fellow teammates, he can’t be around Moss all the time to manage him.

The Titans are a young team, focused primarily on rebuilding, with plenty of impressionable players, especially at the wide receiver position, and Moss is the absolute worst role model to bring in for these guys. This gives Moss the ability to absolutely shred the locker room if he wants, something he will do if he doesn’t get his way.

The only way the Moss signing can work out favorably for the Titans is as an extremely short-term solution. Like I said before, there’s no better way to replace an injured receiver than by signing the best receiver of the generation. It’s also reasonable to assume that Moss will give everything he has during his initial games with the Titans, if for no more reason than to encourage a team to sign him next season – or in 2012, pending a lockout.

I normally would never condone abusing a player’s talents like this, but if the Titans are able to get a productive three or four games out of Moss, then waive him before he’s able to do too much damage to the team’s psyche, there’s potential for this to be a truly brilliant move on the part of the Titans’ organization. It would be a costly one (close to $1.5 million for only four games) but worth it if it means they can keep up their torrid streak of 28 points per game.

Put simply, though, the Titans have some ‘splainin’ to do. This is not a move typical of the Jeff Fisher dynasty, and it provides absolutely no long-term advantages. So why run this risk, Tennessee?

I’d love to hear your guys thoughts/comments.