Packers will end Titans streak

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.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 at 8:11 pm and is filed under Al Davis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • Matt Hayton

    No way we put up 30 on that defense…I’m not saying we lose because I tend to agree with alot of your points…but that defense is really good.

  • TRIP

    Titans & short week, war vs Colts + Packers & dominant win over Colts, bye week

    Equals

    Packers 17 Titans 13

  • TRIP

    Go Phillies.. lol

  • AllAboutThePack

    I was looking back to see some great plays by backups – check this out… This kid is going to be a stud once they get the green out him – http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=tzrSJMD_Lts.

  • AllAboutThePack

    In case that link doesn’t work try this one… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBHufxwBtCg...

  • AllAboutThePack

    Oh, and you might want to copy and paste the link cause if you just click on it you get some message saying the link is malformed or something like that. The video is a hit by Desmond Bishop from the preseason game against the Jags in 2007. From my understanding, he loves to hit and hit hard, now if they can teach him to cover as well this kid will be a stud.

    Anyway, thought it was a neat video and the hit is tremendous – reminds me of Bigby.

    My prediction is this will be a close one, they’ll score by running the ball and controlling the clock and we’ll score quickly by slashing up their secondary. They’ve got the Titans by only 5.5 points at home against a 4-3 team. That means they expect this to be a close one. I’ll take the Packers against the spread and to outright win in a close engagement – Packers 16 – Titans 14. A touchdown and three field goals get it done for the Pack and the touchdown comes early in the game before the adjustments.

  • iccyfan

    I hate to be the pessimist, but I don’t see the Packers prevailing in this one if we can’t get some semblence of a running game going. Manning had no run game to keep the defense honest; he threw the ball 41 times with no sacks and lost by ten. Not having to worry about the run, the Titans dropped everybody, forced Manning to dump off all night (Clark & Rhodes) and picked him when he tried to go downfield. Wayne & Harrison were virtually non-entities.

    If Grant carries 20 times and averages 4+ yards, I see the Packers offense getting it done for a 24-20 victory. It’d help if Kerry Collins would revert back to form and quit playing so efficiently! :) Go Packers!

  • Larry

    Pack in a blowout! This is a breakout game setup if I’ve ever seen one. Grant will go over 100 and OL will push TENN DL on their backs. Our team goes into this one itching to kick ass and hurt someone. Their killer instinct is in full mode and will score 20 in the 4th Qtr. Two weeks ago I was apprehensive about this one, but now I see a season turning performance. MM will make a statement with this one. TENN is not the toughest team we face this year; the Pack themselves are the only ones who can beat us from here on out.

  • AllAboutThePack

    I like your optimism Larry – kinda pumps me up for this game… :)

  • Larry

    Yeah, I’m pumped too, but not w/o some serious thought. We’ve got (4) starting LBs to cover the TEs and block the holes. We’ve got (3) starting caliber CBs to cover WRs tight. We’ve got adequate, if not great DB backups as proof by the last few weeks. The league is Topsy-Turvy this year, with NE down, REDSKINS spent all the had, DAL trying the REDSKIN route (which won’t work) and everybody else rebuilding. Didn’t make instant winners in MINN either because you need balance and backups. Look, our guys, after the rebuilding we’ve done, are now playing for their jobs. W/ the usual 8-10 draft choices we’ll have (TTs modus), the strong bench we have (my opinion), and I think a raft of FAs available this year (because some of the top teams have to unload $ – caviat, if league does’nt change roster size or CAP) I think we’re as solid as anyone, w/ youth and experience. Yeah, I’m pumped………………!!!

  • Larry

    I forgot (5) wide receivers who could start anywhere. Another safety on the bench who would be a starter with anybody else. How about (4) start capable DTs with (2) of ‘em able to slide to DE. If we need anything, to me its RB or DE. Sure is going to be an interesting draft. Dont be surprised if we go OTs, but then Pro OTs are usually quick footed, tall, long armed OGs in college w/ the wide bodys staying at OG or C. I sure do like the nucleus of this team futurewise. I hate to deviate from “best player” but next year might be the exception.

  • Reid

    Gee, what happened to all of the pessimist “Packers” fans? Pack 20-19, Tenn gets 4 field goals and 1 TD (modus operandi), has the ball and can’t pass downfield at the end to move into scoring position. Woodson picks off final pass.

  • Mel e Mel

    What team has everyone been watching. The entire NFC North has beat up the Colts so that win is not the statement that people make it. The Pack needs a 2 score lead in this game. This is the ONLY Defense against TN ground game. INDY played 8 man fronts and forced TN to throw the ball. TN wont give up on the ground game. If Was able to Run on the Vikings how much more so against the Pack? The Dallas ATL Tampa games prove the Pack can be run on. The Tampa Game Proves ordinary QBs with good Defense and a commitment to the run will beat the Packers. The Vikings held the vaunted Tennesee Running attack to 80 yards on 27 carries does anyone the the Packers front 7 is capable of such an effort?? This game more than any other will test the mettle of Mr Rodgers. The Packers have not beat anyone with a winning record. So far All Aaron Rodgers has proved is he is an above average QB, well that hasnt cut it against ATLANTA, Tampa or Dallas so how possibly could it change in the Music city? Tennessee sat back in a soft zone against Indy and dared Manning to go deep much like Dallas and Tampa did vs the Pack. Aaron and McCarthy have done nothing to prove they can win this game. Titans 24 Packers 20

  • Devil’s Advocate…

    I’m w/you Larry!!! I think MM puts in a “fast start” game plan. Also, I think he winds up the team a bit for this game, obviously can’t do it every game or it’ll lose it’s affect!! A couple good shots to the jaw will have them reeling the whole game. The only down side is that after someone knocks off a team like this, it might take them a couple games to recover, so the Bears will get an easier one next week……. (I think they play them next week)

    But anyway, I’m still w/you Larry!! I thought the Packers would come back this year, one year better……….. time will tell. But even if they make it back to being just as good as last year, Collins is actually catching all those balls hitting him in the hands, we have Rodgers playing ball that’s much less likely to kill us w/INT’s and lastly, there’s no 18-0 N.E. Cheaters waiting in the SB this year and the Giants are w/o Strahan…………. I don’t think things look too bleak either! Should be a good game!!!

  • Larry

    My optimisim stems from the current shape of the team. For the first time this year we are at full strength (or at least as strong as a team can be at any given time during a season). The ATL, TB, and DAL games were a learning experience with a weaker squad. To that extent so was the playoff game with the NYG. My point is this team knows how to win and what losing feels like. Regardless of the outcome I dont think TENN is any stronger than IND, its just that one uses the pass more and one uses the run. We have now experienced how to play against the run and the pass and have absorbed the punishment that goes along with losing and I think the team will come out of the tunnel high with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove.

  • Pete H

    I sure you all are correct, but I just don’t see Tenn going down to some “knockout punch”. this team was down to Manning and still took it to him……along with his no sacks it was not mentioned that he was picked twice, which hasn’t been all that rare this year. I like the 5 wide capability. I think if they are to win they must play it like they played the Vikes the last couple of years……pass, pass, and then when thats working and its time to run, pass some more. Forget the run. I also hate to differ about the current quality of our DTs..They have all shown flashes and games of being quality starters, but only Pickett has come to play each week. Jolly and Cole have great talent, but need to be full time with it. The Titans are a team that the Pack do match up well with, but so were the Bucs and Falcons…….I am VERY cautiously optomistic

  • paul

    I hate the bye week….let’s play ball. In my humble opinion, this game could be the turning point for the Pack. It we win..great confidence, if we lose, not all is lost but a win would make my pants bulge….metaphorically speaking that is..a big fat woody!

  • Matt Hayton

    Reid…the pessimistic (I prefer realist) fans are still here…just quieter…I’m kinda getting tired of all the banter…

    Since we’re giving predicitions…. I think we lose 21-14. I think this game comes down to line play…Our O-Line, especially…and I just don’t think our O-Line is good enough to beat their D-Line…Haynesworth is a beast, Vanden Bosch or whatever the heck that guys name is Kampman, but better…that other guy in the middle could plug the whole in the titanic…I just don’t seeing our guys moving their guys so we can establish the run. On the other side of the ball…this is the best running team in football and we suck against the run…I think they run for atleast 150 yards on us and control the clock.

    If we win this game, though…I too would be bulging…I’d rather be wrong with a victory, then right witha loss!!! Go Pack!!!

  • snyz

    as long as michael irvin and tom jackson pick teh titans, we’re shoe-ins to win! lol

    finally grant breaks one big. will be the difference.

  • TRIP

    uh.. wow, paul!

  • Jeff

    As a *ahem* Packer fan and a pessimist, here’s something I would not have thought possible – who leads the league in INTs and Defensive TDs?

    Yup – that’s right. It’s us.
    Even being among the bottom dwellers in sacks.

    WTG, gents. That’s playing some ball.

  • Matt Hayton

    Press Gazette’s Monday Morning Headline:
    Getting His Big Break–Rodgers gets new 5-year contract on Friday; breaks leg on Sunday against Titans. Packers lose 31-10.

  • Devil’s Advocate…

    Matt Hayton (VIKING FAN) says: I hope Rodgers gets his leg broke and the Packers get their ass kicked 31-10. (reading between the lines)

  • TRIP

    Haha, can we give our Packers’ McCarthyism a name? There’s always someone calling someone else a Vikings fan. I don’t blame DA though, that’s something I joke around with, with my Eagles family, that McNabb will break his leg again. I wouldn’t never predict that type of bad fortune with my QB, regardless of how much I’m considered a TT-hater. lol

  • Larry

    24 hrs ago we were all in a good place – on the field. We were pesimistic and optimistic. We were talking team. Lets not slip back to past events off the field which diluted our concentration on this game. After all, isnt that what MM is doing? I think this is going to be a great game which probably will define this team for the rest of the season and the future as well. We have a good team, at the least the best team in our Division if not our Conference. Hell, these darn Aggies arent going anywhere with Sherman at least give me the Pack.

  • iccyfan

    Larry Says: November 1st, 2008 at 7:48 am
    “Hell, these darn Aggies arent going anywhere with Sherman at least give me the Pack.”

    It could be worse, Larry. I’m an Iowa State alum and watched Sherman and those darn Aggies push my Cyclones all over the field last Saturday. :(

    Several subplots I’m excited to see unfold this weekend. Will the OL and Ryan Grant get the run game in gear? Will Justin Harrell get on the field and contribute?

  • Larry

    Oh so true. I’ve never been one to focus on one player; its always team w/ me. However, it seems to me that Harrell has become and is a focal point on this team. Its as if we’re going thru the Mandarich thing all over again. I dont even understand myself getting caught up in this thing—–but, what an impact he could have. Our middle (2) could be talked about just like MINN and TENN. There again, there were warning sings coming out of school, and we took a huge risk investing a lot of the future in one player. Thats why, generally I’m so dead against drafting for need.

  • AllAboutThePack

    Well, I didn’t see that one coming – the question about who would get released once Harrell got activated has been answered… KGB released… WTF? I would have thought like most that Lantana or whatever his name is at LB would have been released and resigned to the practice squad – this one I NEVER saw coming.

  • AllAboutThePack

    But then again, his $6 million salary might have had something to do with it, along with the results for this year – only 1/2 sack this year just wasn’t getting it done. I think our odds are still as good as they get as long as Harrell doesn’t get hurt again and end up back on IR or PUP and we’re down one DE and one DT. That would suck.

    My optimism isn’t fading, but this latest TT move certainly caught me by suprise.

  • AllAboutThePack

    OH, and iccyfan, I think you may have gotten your answer on whether Harrell will get on the field or not – without KGB I think Harrell is lock to play and maybe even start.

  • Devil’s Advocate…

    WOW!!!!! I was thinking Bishop to IR, maybe. Guess now that I think about it, that Thompson kid has probably looked as good as KGB…..

  • Matt Hayton

    Hey DA – Why do we always have to hit below the belt on this site? Forgive me for not being an ignorant homer like yourself.

    Fact: Rodgers has started 7 games and only led this team to .500 football for 2 months, but yet he just got payed like he’s already led this team to the playoffs or he’s been to the pro-bowl.

    Which by the way, if he does that this season I would be fine with him getting payed. Just seems early for that old penny-pinching miser TT to be throwing around money…but apparently it’s okay to take risks and throw money at guys you draft & need to succeed. Smells fishy, this is an out of character move for TT, hypocritical, even…

    This was just 9 games too early. Make him play a full year…lead this team back to the play-offs…and then he deserves to get paid…but the job isn’t even half-way done yet…if Rodgers does get hurt or if this team fails to reach the playoffs, you’ll be saying they jumped the gun, as well…

    And don’t give me the BS about using the cap money…it hasn’t bothered TT to not use $20 million in cap space the last couple of years.

  • Roy Jamison

    I’d heard KGB was not doing well, but still surprised. Wonder why they chose to cut him so late???

  • Larry

    Pettway for KGB, wow, I like the statement! You guys shape up or you’re gone. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I like this mgmt. There’s no room for sentimentality in the NFL anymore, perform or hit the road. For all the fun we have on Sunday it is a business.

  • RayL

    It’s not about being sentimental…it’s about cutting a veteran player and keeping an unproven 2nd year player who has been hurt his full NFL career and hiw last 2 years of college. Then he signs A-ROD to a contract extension during the middle of his first year? Why didn’t he pay Grant last year? TT has double standards no doubt about it. It’s all about his draft picks. I think he is going “all in” he knows if his players don’t bail him out.,..he is in the hot seat and will not be the GM next year. I am hoping anyway…..he is a dumb Mass

  • RayL

    ALLABOUT THE PACK – why are you surprised by this move? TT has proven he is incompetent and I honestly think he is mental. Haven’t you all been watching his head scratching moves the last 3 yrs?

  • RayL

    Yes KGB isn’t getting it done right now…but I don’t think he DL is the place to cut right now.

  • iccyfan

    RayL Says: November 1st, 2008 at 8:46 pm “TT has proven he is incompetent and I honestly think he is mental..he is in the hot seat and will not be the GM next year”

    How so?

    Hired in January, 2005, he was saddled with a team of Mike Sherman’s making. From Sherman’s final four drafts (’01, ’02, ’03 & ’04), there are three players remaining on the 2008 squad (Scott Wells – 7th Round / 2004; Nick Barnett – 1st Round / 2003 & Aaron Kampman – 5th round / 2002). These drafts should have resulted in players in their prime right now; most of Sherman’s picks are no longer in the NFL…

    That 2005 draft, prepared by Thompson on “short time”, yielded Aaron Rodgers, Nick Collins, Brady Poppinga and Mike Montgomery. The 2006 draft yielded six current roster players and the 2007 draft yielded nine roster players.

    The team went 4-12 in 2005 (Sherman fired), 8-8 in 2006, 13-3 in 2007 and is postioned to do well in 2008 (currently 4-3 and favored by the Vegas oddsmakers to win the division). The Packers feature the youngest roster in the NFL and a favorable salary cap position.

    I have provided unbiased FACTS which would support the position that Ted Thompson is doing a fine job as GM. Please respond with FACTS which support your position that he’s “proven incompetent”. Use of the word “proven” would suggest that you do have FACTS, as opposed to sentiment or opinion. Let’s hear ‘em!

  • Steve Cheez

    And just when Mrs. Steve Cheez learned how to pronounce KGB’s name…

  • Larry

    Well, once again we’ve veered off the field. I almost hope we finish 6-9 or worse; or 9-6 or better ’cause if its 8-8 this site will be unbearable. One way or the other win more or lose more a lot of you are going to be eating a lot o’crow. Broken legs, mental, incompetent, dumb mass(Boortz?), and double standard huh? This team looks pretty good to me and I think is getting better every year.

  • Matt Hayton

    Larry…I don’t think it is veering off to bring up possible secenarios about Rodgers extension. I wish no ill will on him. And some how my comments were spun that way. A simple jest to say WHAT COULD HAPPEN, has changed to what I WISH WOULD HAPPEN.

    For the record, I hope AR goes out and throws 3 TDs today and we beat the cheese out of the Titans and we go on to win the Super Bowl. Why? Because even as a TT basher…I’m a die-hard Packer fan first…and I’d much rather win a SB and be wrong about TT, thna go 6-10 and be right.

    However, the logical side of me, has to comment on moves that I disagree with…all I was saying is that the extension to Rodgers was too early. It veers from TT’s normal conservative spending moves and isn’t warranted by Rodgers, who has been injury prone, who hasn’t led this team to the playoffs or been to a pro-bowl. I don’t see how that is veering off course, in fact, I think it is spot on…

  • iccyfan

    Matt Hayton Says: November 2nd, 2008 at 9:01 am – “the logical side of me, has to comment on moves that I disagree with…”

    :) Logical or emotional? I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’…. :)

  • Larry

    As if a lot of QBs dont get extentions or raised unless they will a SB.

  • Larry

    Locking up a 1st rnd, 24 yr old, QB w/ 4 yrs experience to a 5 yr extension makes perfect sense to me. Lot easier to find a back-up than a starter.