TENN vs GB B BLOG..ARE GAMES WON IN THE TRENCHES ???

[Patler]

Great post.
In THIS game it will be won in the trenches.

Yes, the Packers have better WR's, and arguably better CB's. But beyond that it gets tricky. Not sure if Rodgers is heads above of Collins though. If you give Collins Jennings and Driver he would look like a pro bowl QB..lol.

That being said, the Packers can and will win ONLY if they can keep Rodgers in his comfort zone. If he has to look off of Jennings and Driver too often he will become frustrated and look to scramble to his right and rush for yards. That normally would work except for the fact that the LB's will be looking for exactly that. And if the Running game doesnt do something, it will be hell for packer fans watching the Titans only rush four, while dropping everyone else in coverage. No threat out the backfield equals doom against the Titans.

And to all that says the Packers should go 5 wide against this defense does not consider the O-line play this season. They will and should keep an TE or back in to block on every play. If not your future QB may not make it through this season after this game.

But the Titans also have to stay within their game and not try to get into a offensive shoot out. Which I doubt because they seem so disciplined right now. They also must not bite on play action against a team that has no running game to speak of. This normally frees Jennings up deep and for some reason WIDE open. I dont know if this comes from Packers opponents so far this year having poor safeties, or if Jennings is promising the secondary a nice portion of his future singing bonus if they just let him get open.

I predict a Packers lost, but I will not rule out the possibility of a upset in this one mainly because of the WR's ability to make plays and the Titans defense willingness to take risk. Oh, did I mention how it seemed to me that the Titans don't seem to cover TE's too well down the seam?

This could be a very good matchup, for several reasons.

It's a mistake to say the Packers have no running game. They are much better off, performance-wise, than they were last year at this time. (Their yards/carry average is higher than the Bears). They have lacked consistency, but that may not be necessary in this game as long as they get some production, and their average of 101/game might be enough. This is likely to be low scoring.

Rogers hasn't really shown any jitters, and I don't see a problem with his "comfort zone". He is using his TEs a bit more than Favre did last year, and finds his running backs and fullbacks regularly. Sure Jennings and Driver are preferred targets, but with good reason, they get open and make plays. Rodgers has not forced the ball to them except on a few occasions, which happens for all QBs. Look for Ruvell Martin and Nelson if he plays, to make some big receptions.

Defensively, the Packers may be better equipped than many teams to shut down the Titans offense, because the Packers can commit safeties to stopping the run without weakening their pass defense significantly. The Packers DBs vs. the Titans receivers favors the Packers, especially if Harris is back. More importantly the Packers will not be asking their corners to do something they are unaccustomed to doing. Teams that do not play a lot of man coverage get burned when the coverage breaks down, often simply because the DBs are not accustomed to playing that way play after play after play without safety help. Not a problem for GB.

Having Harrell back is important. Having four big tackles available will keep everyone fresher, and if the two tackles can eat up three blockers, the Packers should have a clear numbers advantage for stopping the run, without risking pass coverage. Poppinga and Bigby could have big games against the run. Hawk and Collins have to be solid. Bigby's return is also significant to the Packers chances.

Blackmon needs some big returns, and more importantly the packers need to avoid ST penalties.

[DonHutson]

Tennessee is impressive. Just look at all the stats they were displaying during the game.

Longest streak of points on red zone possessions in the NFL.

Dominant in the 4th Quarter.

Rarely give up a sack.

Dominant running game.

Fewest points allowed by a wide margin.

So they capitalize on opportunities, they don't give up points, and they can put games away late. What's not to like?

From the Pack's perspective, they were right there all day long. If the Packers play the rest of their schedule as well as they played today, they could run the table.

[Zool]

From the Pack's perspective, they were right there all day long. If the Packers play the rest of their schedule as well as they played today, they could run the table.

I thought this same thing. Thats the top scoring D and the 4th highest rated run O in the league. Except for the one long run by White and the early screen for 25 the RB's were held to reasonable gains. Held them to 7-17 on 3rd down. There were just a few plays that turned this game. Plus WTF was with the prevent D at the end of regulation? I think Collins had 110 yards up till that point for the game and then to change the scheme? Piss poor by everyones favorite whipping boys Sanders/Shittenheimer.

[Merlin]

The dropped INT's hurt us. The game would have been different if we could have grabbed one of those. We didn't force the turnover and that was the difference in the game.

[Dabaddestbear]

I have to say, that was a good game. I still dont see how the Packers WR are always so open deep. I mean they really be getting wide open as if no CB even sees them on the field...lol.

The Bears will have their hands full with Tennessee next week. In turn, I think the Pack will have a tight one against the Vikings next week, who are starting to look pretty impressive with their QB play. That seemed to be their main weakness with Jackson. Now it is at least average consistently and just enough to keep a defense honest against the run. --and the race for the NFC North title has officially begun.

[DonHutson]

--and the race for the NFC North title has officially begun.

Yeah, it's a lot of fun when everyone else plays along.

Well, everyone who matters anyway. Go Daunte!