~Tennessee Tribune~
The Titans were able to draft an X-factor TE with their first round pick. TE Lance Saunders will surely be a great target for QB Mariota. Selected with the 15th pick Saunders was upset with his draft day drop and went on record saying, "The 14 teams who passed on me will regret their decisions". The former Florida Gator will be mentored by newly aquired free agency pick up Jordan Reed, another former Gator.
~Reporter BMG AC~
~Tennessee Tribune~
The Titans went into free agency with an aggressive attitude. They were able to get speed at Wr with signing receivers Taylor Gabriel, Jakeem Grant, and Equnimeous St. Brown. Te Jordan Reed was also signed to provide QB Marioto with a big target up the seam. To help provide pressure on QBs DE's Marcus Davenport and Tre Hendrickson were signed. MLB's Kenny Yound and Deon Bucannon were signed to start in the middle of the Titans' 3-4 scheme. The fast agressive LBs are sure to be all over the field. After giving up many deep balls last season the titans knew they needed speed at the CB position so they went and signed speedy corners Parry Nickerson and Anthony Averett. Only time will tell if these new additions will help turn the Titans' organization around.
~Reporter BMG AC~
~Tennessee Tribune~
The Titans had the ability to finish 8-8 but were absolutely dominated by the dolphins 58-20. QB Mariota threw 6 ints and looked horrible. He will more than likely not be the starter next season. We are excited that the season is over. We are hoping there are some Free Agents in the offseason who would like to help this team out.
~Reporter BMG AC~
~East Bay Times~
The Oakland Raiders clinced a first round bye with a 50-21 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. QB Jake Fromm threw for 263 yards and 4 Tds. RB Josh Jacobs ran for 140 yards on 26 carries. The defense had 6 sacks and 4 interceptions. They also held RB Melvin Gordon to 18 yards on 12 carries. This was an absolute dominating performance heading into the playoffs. With this win the Raiders swept the division and finished 12-4 on the season.
~Reporter BMG AC~
~East Bay Times~
The Denver Broncos decided not to face the Raiders last week as they decided to tank. The Raiders move to 11-4 on the year with the last game versus the Chargers. Having already clinched the division and a playoff berth the Raiders are now playing for the 2 seed. Having lost to the Ravens earlier in the year the #1 seed is out of the question regardless if the Ravens lose in week 17. The tricky situation is with the Jets. The Raiders and Jets both sit at 11-4 with one game left. The Raiders own the head to head but if the Raiders love versus the Chargers and the Jets win then the Raiders will fall to the 3 seed. This is a must win. Win and the 2 seed is clinched. Lose and we will have to depend on the Jets losing in week 17.
~Reporter BMG AC~
~Tennessee Tribune~
The Tennessee Titans have the opportunity to finish with a .500 record if they are able to win on the road in week 17 versus the Dolphins who are 8-6 and vying for a playoff spot. Can the Titans play spoiler in this up and down season and give the team optimism for next season? The Dolphins are lead by a dynamic young QB in Tyree Jackson who has a strong arm and is also mobile for his size. We will surely aim to contain him in any way possible.
~Reporter BMG AC~
~East Bay Times~
Although they were dominated by the Dolphins on the road the Oakland Raiders clinched their ticket to the playoffs. With a 10-4 record the Raiders still have a chance to not only win the division but to also finish as the number 1 or 2 overall seed in the playoffs and receive a bye as well as home field advantage. With 2 games remaining the team has to continue to stay focus so that they don't fall all the way into the wildcard game. The Broncos and the Chargers are the last 2 opponents. Both division games. How will the Raiders finish the season?
~Reporter BMG AC~
~East Bay Times~
The Oakland Raiders came into their game versus the 6-7 Dolphins sitting at 10-3 and first in their division and 2nd in the AFC. The Raiders left Miami 10-4 after getting drubbed by the Dolphins 55-41. The Raiders feeling confidnt decided to try out a new playbook and well it went about as horrible as possible. QB Fromm had a very bad day throwing 6 ints and only 3 tds for a horrendous 79.1 rating. He was also sacked 6 times. The defense was absoultely dominated as madden would not allow the Raiders to get anything going. The only bright spot in the game was that LB Kamu Grugier Hill received his SS trait. We will look to bounce back next week versus the Broncos.
~Reporter BMG AC~
~East Bay Times~
RB Josh Jacobs was named the week 14 offensive player of the week after his dominating performance versus the jaguars. Jacobs had 17 carries for 210 rushing yards and 3 tds. He also had 3 receptions for 43 yards. Jacobs' play in his second season is a huge reason why the raiders sit at 10-3 with 3 games left in the season. The Raiders will continue to look for more dominating performances from Jacobs as the season continues.
~Reporter BMG AC~
~East Bay Times~
The Raiders have placed fear in their last two opponents heart because neither have taken the field. The Raiders move to 10-3 on the season after the Jaguars decided not to show up in Oakland. We were awarded a 38-24 win in the process. With 3 games left in the season we have put ourselves in great position to receive a bye in the playoffs as long as we continue to win out. What a turn around from previous owners and in only one season. HC Sean Payton should be the undisputed leader as the National Coach of the Year.
~Reporter BMG AC~
~Tennessee Tribune~
The Titans were dominated at home versus the undefeated Cardinals 44-13. QB Kyler Murray did whatever he wanted on our defense throwing for 359 yards and 4 Tds. Mariota was the complete opposite throwing 4 ints. RB Derrick Henry was held to only 90 yards on 11 carries as we were down a lot early. He did add 85 receiving yards as well. This performace has defined the season, we take one step forward only to be knocked back 30 more. Fortunately for us there is only one game left in the season and we can start clearning house.
~Reporter BMG AC~
~Tennessee Tribune~
RB Derrick Henry was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his dominating performace in week 15 versus the New England Patriots. Can he carry this production over into week 16 versus the undefeated Cardinals?
~Reporter BMG AC~
~Tennessee Tribune~
RB Derrick Henry powered through the Patriots defense this week for 22 carries and 210 yards to go along with 3 Tds in the Titans' upset 38-28 upset win. Henry had an absord 9.5 yards per rushing attempt, he also had a long td run of 80 yards. To add more damage he caught 6 passes for 52 yards. Henry continues to display the dynamic running abilities he showed not only in college but in HS when he was dominating kids in Florida. This win helps the Titans get back to .500 on the year at 7-7. Will another X-Factor opportunity present itself? Henry was hurt in his last attempt at this elite status.
~Reporter BMG AC~
~Tennessee Tribune~
The Titans came into the game against the Patriots at 6-7. The Titans who season is pretty much over left Boston with a 38-28 win over the 8 win Pats. The Titans had just over 400 total yards with a balanced attack. They finished with 160 passing yards and over 240 rushing yards. With this win the Titans over back to .500 at 7-7 on the year. One more win guarantees they will finish with atleast a .500 record.
~Reporter BMG AC~
~East Bay Times~
With there win vs the Chargers the Raiders have now taken over first place in the AFC West Divsion. Although both the Raiders and Chargers have 9-3 records the Raiders own the tiebreaker. With that 9-3 record the Raiders have exceeded their win total from last season and are currently number 2 in the AFC playoff race. Can they finish strong and get a bye in the playoffs and potentially home field advantage, or will they fold under pressure?
~Reporter BMG AC~