NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- At the midpoint of their season, the Tennessee Titans are in second place in the AFC South, a game and a head-to-head tiebreaker behind Houston.

The Titans are also a top-10 offense (No. 9) and a top-10 defense (No. 9) right now, the biggest development beyond the .500 record.

Only the Arizona Cardinals are also top 10 on both sides of the ball -- 10th in offense and second in defense.

Those rankings are based on yardage. Tennessee is averaging 377.8 yards a game and holding opponents to an average of 342 yards per game.

The Titans are tied for the seventh in the AFC. They and Buffalo trail the 5-2 Kansas City Chiefs for the final wild-card spot in the standings.

Based on the picture right now, it will be easier for the Titans to win the division than to get a wild card.

Tennessee plays at Kansas City on Dec. 18 and finishes the season Jan. 1 at home against the Texans (5-3) in what could be a critical rematch.