The Tennessee Titans are 7-0? Go figure. The Titans are the epitome of what is happening in the NFL this year. What’s up is down and what’s down is up. But the Packers are kind of riding an even keel, ironically. Next week the Packers face the surprising Titans who have now won 10 straight regular season games, tying a franchise record. Unfortunately for Titan fans, that record won’t be broke next Sunday.
Let’s see, the Titans are the one of the best rushing teams in the NFL and the Packers couldn’t stop the run if they tried. So why do I think they Packers will win? It comes down to intangibles. The way I look at it is this. The Titans just won their Super Bowl, they beat the reigning division champs Monday night by pummeling the Colts on national TV and staked their claim as the best team in the NFL. I think the Titans are due for a letdown, and with a big lead in their division and back-to-back games against NFC opponents I don’t think their focus against the Packers will be what it was for the Colts. Ripe for an upset.
I do worry about the Titans running game but with the Packers ability to trust their cornerbacks to lock down the wideouts with no help it helps the Packers put more men in the box to defend the run. The Titans passing game is not a factor unless the Packers make the mistake of overlooking it. Against the Colts the Titans came out passing and had success, which made it all the easier for their dominating running game. They will not have that luxury against the Packers’ defense that will have Al Harris back, and with the play of Tramon Williams the last five weeks, makes the Packers’ secondary one of the best in the NFL.
One thing I am counting on is having Atari Bigby back at safety. Bigby is a huge factor in the run game and brings toughness to the secondary. Health has always been Bigby’s bugaboo, this might be his last chance to be a starter. Backup Aaron Rouse hasn’t exactly sucked in Bigby’s absence. One thing is sure, Nick Collins is not going anywhere, so the battle is between Bigby and Rouse. I love the competition. Just like Williams playing pretty darn good in replacing Harris will spark Harris to a great second half I think. If the Packers can just contain the opponents’ running game, I think this defense is going to be what I expected it to be.
The game Sunday is huge. A Packers’ win will put them back in the “best teams in the NFL” talk, a loss won’t kill them but will certainly be opportunity lost. Like missing a two-footer for birdie. I think the Packers will knock it in dead solid perfect. The early prediction again says Packers 30, Titans 21.