Scouting the Titans

LUKE23 · Post #1 » by **LUKE23** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:45 pm

Thankfully:

1. We have two weeks to prepare for this game
2. Titans have to play Monday night vs. a pissed off Colts team, then play us on 6 days rest while we get 14.

However, this will be a very tough matchup. Tennessee boasts one of the top run offenses in the league. They are over 150 per game and have two very good and very contrasting runners. Lendale White is a bruiser that has more speed than you think, and Chris Johnson is an absolute burner. I don't know how many have watched Johnson this year, but I think he's faster than Reggie Bush, with better size. We are definitely going to need Harrell back and ready to go for this game, as we will be seeing a ton of those two guys.

Titans defense is the top ranked in the league as far as PPG and third in yards. They are allowing only 179 pass yards per game on 34.5 attempts per game. They also completely shut down the run, only allowing 89.5 yards per game on 3.6 yards per carry.

The good news is that I think that our secondary, which should be 100% going into this game, can completely erase the Titans passing attack, even with one on one coverage on both WR's. We should be able to put 8 in the box this game.

On offense, absolutely CANNOT turn the ball over. Points will be at a premium this game, I think both teams under 20 points, so any turnover is going to be magnified. Rodgers just needs to keep going to the checkdowns, while also keeping his eye open for the big play.

Tough game, but I still like our chances. Two weeks to prepare should be somewhat of a help for us.

Post #2 » by **ReasonablySober** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:19 pm

I laughed at the Titans when they took Johnson back in April, but they knew something I didn't. That guy has NFL rushing leader written all over him.

MadCityBucky · Post #3 » by **MadCityBucky** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:20 pm

Stack the box.

What they do best on offense is what the Packers do worst on defense.

If the Packers can force Collins to pass, then I expect to see some interceptions.

On offense the offensive line is key once again because the Titans feature the best d-line in football. Haynesworth will need to be doubled team every time.

Can't let the Titans get many chances in the goal line because the times I've watched them, Lendale White scores every single time.

If the Packers can't stop the run, they lose, plain and simple.

MikeIsGood · Post #4 » by **MikeIsGood** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:28 pm

Classic thunder and lightning, and both of them can hurt you badly. This past week was their best outing yet. Also classic is their defense to compliment the run game. Top-10 in rush and pass, and third overall. We'll need the run game to balance with the passing game, and vice versa. A versatile attack should keep them honest, and hopefully we'll then be able to find some holes. I agree with MadCity - play in the trenches is going to be extremely important. Both of these defense are adept at takeaways down field, too. both teams have a CB/S duo with 4 interceptions each (Woodson & Collins, FInnegan & Griffin).

This will be an intense game.

LUKE23 · Post #5 » by **LUKE23** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:37 pm

I actually think the Titans game might be a good time for the five wide WR sets consistently. Both aspects of their D are good, but they are near impossible to run against up the middle. They really haven't had to face a great passing offense yet either (Vikings, Jags, Chiefs, Texans, Ravens, Bengals). Maybe bust out what we did to the Vikings both times last year. That might depend on the status of Rodgers shoulder, however.

Post #6 » by **Wade-A-Holic** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 6:10 pm

Having Harrell back in that D-Tackle rotation and Bigby back in the secondary will go a long way towards stopping that Tennessee running game. I see Chillar getting a lot of playing time again with the Titans having two pretty good receiving threats at tight end in Scaife and Crumpler. I agree that the game plan has to be: Let Woodson and Williams man up on the outside and then stack the box. I would like to see some more designed run blitzes. The Packers seemed to have a lot more success utilizing run blitzes last year than they have so far this season.

El Duderino · Post #7 » by **El Duderino** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:43 pm

DrugBust wrote:I laughed at the Titans when they took Johnson back in April, but they knew something I didn't. That guy has NFL rushing leader written all over him.

I was watching the highlights of their game vs the Chiefs and Johnson had around a 70 yard TD run. When he got into the open and was running down the sideline, a Chief defender looked to have an angle, but Johnson just exploded past him like he was shot out of a cannon. Crazy speed.

bucks59 · Post #8 » by **bucks59** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:56 pm

Wade-A-Holic wrote:Having Harrell back in that D-Tackle rotation and Bigby back in the secondary will go a long way towards stopping that Tennessee running game. I see Chillar getting a lot of playing time again with the Titans having two pretty good receiving threats at tight end in Scaife and Crumpler. I agree that the game plan has to be: Let Woodson and Williams man up on the outside and then stack the box. I would like to see some more designed run blitzes. The Packers seemed to have a lot more success utilizing run blitzes last year than they have so far this season.

I completely agree with everything you said there.

The Packers basically need to do what they tried to do against the Vikings in week 1 and last year: stack the box and make the QB beat you.

I agree with you as well, Luke. I also think turnovers will be huge this game. The Titants have a great defense, its really important that Rodgers doesn't turn the ball over. Additionally, Grant has to protect the ball better than he has. Even last week, he fumbled the ball but the Packers were fortunate enough to get the ball back. Turnovers could once again be the difference in this game.

It might also be important for the Packers to get an early lead, hopefully forcing the Titans into passing the ball more.

Another factor that helps the Packers is that this could be a let down game for the Titans. They play the Colts on MNF, in what should be a changing of the guard for the AFC South. If they are 7-0, I could see them maybe looking past GB, especially in a short week after an emotional win.

ACGB · Post #9 » by **ACGB** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 12:02 am

Having bigby back should go a long way for the rush defense with the way he flies to the line of scrimmage.

Lippo · Post #10 » by **Lippo** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:05 pm

A game like this is why i wish we still had Hodge. Play a 4-4 with Bigby at the lone S position , good luck running against that.

Thompson-Harrell-Pickett-Kampman
Hawk-Hodge-Barnett-Poppinga
Woodson-Bigby-Harris

Titans have no deep threat, just force Collins to pass and we win.

aaprigs311 · Post #11 » by **aaprigs311** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:50 pm

Bench Nick Collins? That would be an awful move. They'll stack the box and go one on one with the receivers. I think we'll beat them. 16-13 Pack.

crkone · Post #12 » by **crkone** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:59 pm

I'm just worried about them getting to the outside around KGB or whoever else they are throwing out there. And if we spread wide, they will eat us up for 4-5-6 yard gains at a time up the middle. We should just stay in our base 4-3 and hopefully Bigby will be back to act like a S/LB. He has missed a lot of time though and I'm worried he won't be up to game speed by then. At least we got two weeks to plan our offensive attack.

Ryan5UW · Post #13 » by **Ryan5UW** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:27 pm

El Duderino wrote:
DrugBust wrote:I laughed at the Titans when they took Johnson back in April, but they knew something I didn't. That guy has NFL rushing leader written all over him.

I was watching the highlights of their game vs the Chiefs and Johnson had around a 70 yard TD run. When he got into the open and was running down the sideline, a Chief defender looked to have an angle, but Johnson just exploded past him like he was shot out of a cannon. Crazy speed.

Yeah, his 4.24 40 time at the combine was the fastest this past year, and one of the fastest times ever for a RB at the combine.

http://www.last.fm/user/DPF55 · Post #14 » by **Buck You** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:49 pm

Rodgers has to get rid of the ball quickly or else he'll get crushed. I don't expect us to have much of a running game in this one. I'm guessing quick slants will be aplenty in this game.

an_also · Post #15 » by **an_also** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:39 pm

The titans havnt played a good team yet. I think if we spread them out we might have a shot. Hopefully Jones's knee is better after the bye week. If we run 4-5 wideout sets with quick passes, we should have some success. Looking forward to seeing how Rodgers handles his toughest test yet. I dont see us running the ball on them with any consistency at all. We did run all over the colts but their D line was exactly what the packs O line needed. They'r small. I dont see us running on Haynsworth and co. Defensively, Johnson and white might run all over us. Lets see if we can make collins beat us by stacking the box.

rilamann · Post #16 » by **rilamann** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:24 pm

I was thinking how the hell does a team with Kerry Collins as its starting QB go 6-0?

I scouted (haha) the Titans schedule and it became pretty obvious.

Bengals
Texans
Vikings
Ravens
Cheifs

Talk about benifiting from an easy schedule,christ.

I'll give the Titans some credit they did beat the Jags who are a pretty solid team and they won the games any decent team should win.With that said though if the Packers show up they will win the game vs the Titans.

TheGhostDog · Post #17 » by **TheGhostDog** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:37 pm

^ What he said.

TheGhostDog · Post #18 » by **TheGhostDog** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 11:39 pm

rilamann wrote:I was thinking how the hell does a team with Kerry Collins as its starting QB go 6-0?

Just to add something meaningful to the conversation, I'll add that at no point during the season so far have the Titans been trailing in a game by more than one touchdown. They have yet to play a good offensive team that can score quickly, and so haven't had to rely on Collins yet to come from behind.

Balls2TheWalls · Post #19 » by **Balls2TheWalls** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:50 pm

I think that the spread offense is going to frustrate the Titans. They might create some pass rush, but Aaron Rodgers extending the pocket and making passes against what is by no means a spectacular set of cornerbacks.

On defense, I see us stacking the box and daring their average receiving core to bring it on the outside and against Chillar in the passing game.

I see Kerry Collins having an awful day passing, and us winning by getting ahead early and forcing them into a shootout with much worse big-play pieces.

Packers 27 - Titans 13

Post #20 » by **jr lucosa** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 9:30 pm

The main reason they haven't trailed by more than one touchdown is because of how outstanding their defense is, they force turnovers and get alot of pressure on the QB without needing to bring more than the front 4. Haynesworth has been the best defensive player in the league this year and last. Lendale White is a very effective bruiser who can push around defenses while ROTY up to this point Chris Johnson can run past everybody. All Collins has to do is hand the ball to those two and throw it to his TE's, he is a pretty good game manager. The packers have been pretty awful running the ball this year, and that most definitely wont get any better against this team. Rodgers will have to throw the ball alot, the titans have eight picks between two players and the pressure they bring is a big part why, it will be near impossible to run spread offense because your going to need extra blockers against this team, if the O-Line can hold up, the Packers can be effective against this defense, but there's a good reason why most teams can't.

Titans 21 - Packers 16