Week 9 - Packers @ Titans - 11/2 - 12 PM CST

[aaprigs311]

GREEN BAY (4-3) at TENNESSEE (7-0)
Sunday, Nov. 2 | LP Field | 12 PM CST

WITH THE CALL

- FOX Sports enters its 15th season as an NFL network television partner and will air the contest to a regional audience. Fox is back in GB, chyeah.

- Play-by-play man Kenny Albert joins color analyst Daryl Johnston in the booth with Tony Siragusa serving as the sideline reporter. The Moose is on the loose until Siragusa eats him.




vs.




TOUGH AFTER THE WEEK OFF

- In games immediately following their bye week, the Packers have won nine of their last 12, including both contests under McCarthy.

- In 2006, Green Bay got a hard-earned victory at Miami in scorching temperatures. McCarthy called the victory a clear turning point in the season as seven of the team's eight victories came after the bye.

- Last season, the Packers enjoyed one of their most memorable victories in recent memory following the bye week. In a Monday night contest at Denver, the Packers won the game on the first snap of overtime, an 82-yard TD to Greg Jennings.

- The Denver contest was the second win of a six-game winning streak as the Packers cruised to an 8-2 mark following the bye.

- McCarthy has continued the Packers' success following the bye. The coach has compiled a 15-6 (.714) mark following the off week.

- Since 2000, the Packers over the balance of their season after the bye are a combined 51-26 (.662).

CONSISTENT - AND CONSISTENTLY GOOD

- First-year starter Aaron Rodgers has been accurate and efficient through his first stretch under center for the Packers.

- Though there is plenty of football still to play, Rodgers' completion percentage (65.6%) and quarterback rating (98.8) could become some of the highest marks in team annals.

- Rodgers' accuracy has helped minimize Green Bay's turnovers. His four interceptions account for just 1.8% of his attempts (221), a percentage that ranks tied for eighth in the NFL and tops among first-year QBs.

- Earlier in the season, Rodgers went 157 consecutive passes without an interception, the third-longest streak in team history. Rodgers' current streak without an interception stands at 64 attempts. He has not thrown an interception in five of the team's seven games thus far.

- Rodgers has eclipsed a QB rating of 100.0 five times this season, tied for second among all NFL quarterbacks:

Player, Team (Games over 100.0)
Philip Rivers, San Diego (6)
Drew Brees, New Orleans (5)
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay (5)
Jason Campbell, Washington (4)
Jake Delhomme, Carolina (4)
Chad Pennington, Miami (4)
Tony Romo, Dallas (4)

TURNOVERS USUALLY TELL THE STORY

- The turnover statistic remains one of the most important in all of football.

- Green Bay has 14 takeaways (13 interceptions, one fumble recovery) on the season. Their plus-6 turnover margin is tied for fourth among NFL clubs.

- The 13 interceptions mark a league high, just ahead of Tampa Bay and Tennessee, which each has 12 picks on the year.

- The Packers have been able to turn takeaways into points better than any other team. They have 69 points off turnovers thus far. Chicago ranks No. 2 with 60 points off turnovers.

- On the other side of the ball, things have not gone as well after turnovers. The team has surrendered 44 points off the eight turnovers this year - 24 of which came at Tampa in Week 4. That point total off turnovers is the 10th highest in the NFL.

- Green Bay did not have a giveaway against Indianapolis, the second time the team has played turnover-free football this season. It also went without a turnover in the opener against the Vikings, a feat they accomplished four times last season. Not surprisingly, all six were victories.

- Over a longer stretch, the Packers have won 32 of 33 games playing turnover-free football, since a loss at Dallas, Nov. 18, 1996. Green Bay's only loss in such games during that stretch was a 23-20 defeat at Minnesota, Oct. 23, 2005.

- Including playoffs, the Packers have won 35 of their last 36 games without a giveaway.

[wichmae]

lawl

[SteveScheffler]

this game will come down to how well the o-line handles albert haynesworth. that guy is a freakin monster. i will never forget when he stomped on that guys face, he was quoted saying "i just wanted to make sure the guy was dead" http://www.theonion.com/content/node/53699 . if their d-line runs wild it could be a long game. but they havent played anyone.

[Captain Erv]

We need to contain the run and make Collins beat us. On offense we can't afford a single mistake and have to try and establish some sort of ground game.

[aaprigs311]

We need to incorporate more deception into our run game. Hand the ball off more often when we go 3 or 4 wide. Delays and misdirection are the only way we're going to have success against this defense. When we aren't running we gotta spread them out. Finnegan is the best corner no ones ever heard of. I expect a hell of a lot of slants as Rodgers attempts to get rid of the ball quickly. That doesn't mean we shouldn't stretch it out though. Gotta take our shots down the field. We'll finally see the fab 5 in action again. Gotta take advantage of their linebackers who will need to slip into coverage. If Rodgers can manage the game and play within himself I expect a win. Grant needs to hang on to the god damn ball for a change too. I think we matchup really well against the Titans, but it'll all come down to turnovers and execution. I'm fired up for this game.

[MickeyDavis]

Assuming we have an injury or two this will be the healthiest we are all year. Still going to be a tough game on the road.

[Balls2TheWalls]

I don't see them getting a ton of yards on us running. I think that we will stack the box and dare their WRs to beat us. I just don't see Kerry Collins having a big day. I think that their running backs get a bunch of yards, but the YPC isn't going to be there. Collins is forced to go deep late in the game, and throws picks to seal the game.

GB 24
TEN 14

Predictions
Rodgers - 19/26, 217 yards, 1 Rushing TD, 1 Passing TD
Collins - 12/24, 144 yards, 2 INT

Grant - 35 Carries, 106 yards, 1 TD Rushing
Johnson - 17 Carries, 68 yards, 1 TD
White - 15 Carries, 50 yards, 1 TD

Jennings - 4 catches, 124 yards, 1 TD

[MadCityBucky]

Go Pack Go!!

The Titans passing isn't that abysmal. Their WR's have speed but hands of stone. The main weapons are Bo Scaife and Alge Crumpler. Contain them and they should do next to nothing on offense (passing wise).

Hopefully the offense can play like they did against Indy. Long drives that tire out the defense while putting points on the board. Just need to get that nice rhythm on offense early and often.

[MickeyDavis]

Absolutely do everything you can to stop the run. Force them to pass. We have Harris and Bigby back, Williams and Rouse have been playing well. If they have to pass to win, they won't win.

[aaprigs311]

MM said if Harris practices tomorrow like he did today he'll start Sunday. He also said Rodgers had his best practice since the shoulder injury against TB. Pickett was removed from the injury list as well. Good news all around.

[MrLynch07]

Fortunatly Jones is back, and all our Wideoutrs are healthy, now we can actually utilize the 5 receiver set.

[MickeyDavis]

This is a good test for the team. Healthy, coming off a bye against a team on a short week.

[an_also]

i have a good feeling about this game. just a hunch

[Bernman]

I like our chances to win this game.

The return of Atari Bigby could really help our run defense. Slide him into the box and he can match-up against Lendale White's girth and stop Chris Johnson before he can get his speed up to where it can kill us. Hawk's stout build could really be an asset in this game as well.

An 8-man box forces Kerry Collins to beat us. And we have the man cover corners to play that style.

Offensively, the return of James Jones and a healthier Martin, could finally allow us to play 4-5 wides ala last year. Then we can use the quick passing game to avoid their defensive line being a factor, ala the first game against Minnesota.

The bye week should have helped Grant get closer to regular season form. The lack of reps in training camp hurt him and this could have been a mini training camp for him. Finally seeing the cutback lanes could mean a big play or two.

I'm predicted a signature Packer win. The Titans haven't beaten anybody as good as a relatively healthy Green Bay team.

[TheGhostDog]

I think a fast start is the surest path to a win against the Titans. Whether it be a combination of quick strike offense, forcing turnovers, special teams play or pure luck, if we can get up by two touchdowns I think our defensive backs can seal the deal against Collins and crew.

[SpReEfOrAlL]

Look for the Packers to look almost dazzling on their first possession, I expect McCarthy to have their offense firing on all cylinders, especially when it comes to the passing game. I am worried about our run defense, but I am not sold on the Titans defense. Especially their secondary. I am expecting a big offensive day, I just don't know about that defense. . . I hope they can stop the run, because Kerry Collins and those receivers aren't going to be carving up our secondary.

[Wade-A-Holic]

I see us stacking the box on defense and playing a lot of 4-5 wide sets on offense. I, too, am not sold on their defense and can't wait to see how our 3rd, 4th, and 5th receivers match up against their 3rd, 4th, and 5th cover men. I think we've got a great chance to win this game, actually.

[MadCityBucky]

Kickoff. Let's go Packers.

Please, have a strong start on offense. No 3 and out.

[trwi7]

Brutal start.

[MadCityBucky]

3 and out. Looked awful out there.