I spoke to a few personnel guys who believe the Titans are best positioned to emerge from the muck in the AFC South and actually reach the playoffs despite their limitations. Everything is a struggle for them, and the fact they have lost 16 of their last 18 homes games is an issue. But given how bad that division is, and how the schedule shapes up, things could begin looking up in Nashville.

Marcus Mariota comes in off his best game of the season and gets the winless Browns on Sunday, and then the Colts and Jags come to Tennessee. This three-game home stand would be the perfect opportunity to make a move. For all of their warts, the Titans do have a potent running game and they are holding opponents to the fifth-lowest passer rating in the league (75.4). It might not take more than seven wins to win that division and host a playoff game and the Titans (2-3) have the best scoring differential in the AFC South thus far.

"They have an identity, at the very least," said one evaluator, "and I'm not sure you could say that about any other team in that division. They know what they do well and you have to give a lot of the credit to (offensive line coach) Russ Grimm. Look at their young linemen and how they are grading out. Both tackles are playing very well and that's the key to that team. Protect Mariota and run the football. I think they can win that division. I really do."

Falcons, Cowboys may have an edge in NFC

Two pass rushers could end up swinging the balance in the NFC. If Atlanta's Vic Beasley finally had the light bulb go on last week -- and that big day wasn't primarily the result of facing an overwhelmed backup tackle -- then Atlanta is going to keep winning a bunch of games. And if Demarcus Lawrence can be an impact player back from suspension for Dallas, then I believe you've got your NFC East winner right there.

More notes from around the NFL:

Look for the Ravens to run more three-receiver sets under new coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. They were in 12 personnel too much under Marc Trestman and an emphasis will be put on getting their young speed receivers on the field more with more targets downfield. Joe Flacco's yards per attempt will increase dramatically (we'll see how many end up resulting in big-play completions).

Flacco still looks like a quarterback coming off an ACL to me as well -- recall Tom Brady his first six weeks back -- and his footwork and technique should improve as he plays.

A personnel exec I really trust took a look at Brock Osweiler's play this season after I wrote a column critical of him over the weekend. He came away echoing my thoughts. "When I watch him I see a fastball pitcher without any other stuff," he said. "It's all fastballs. Not a lot of touch. He was horrible on Sunday. Good Vikings defense. But that was horrible."

Would the Steelers be willing to trade for a pass rusher before the deadline in a few weeks? Not sure how much will be out there -- if anything -- but that's one of few glaring needs for a team that could be bound for the Super Bowl. Some personnel guys suggested to me moving linebacker Ryan Shazier to the outside in an attempt to get more pressure off the edge, though others see him as too light to anchor out there and believe he is best suited to his current role.

"The linebacker I'd get on the field more is (Anthony) Chickillo," said a scout who has watched the Steelers closely. "I think he can give them some pass rush."