From One Impossible Challenge To Another

The Tennessee Titans are mad, bad and dangerous to know and present the exact opposite challenge to the Packers that the Colts did. Looking back at the Colts game, you can see how both their offense and their defense play perfectly into the Packers’ strengths. A light, undersized defense that’s predicated on getting a lead and not allowing anything deep in the passing game? No problem. Nothing a healthy dose of Ryan Grant and a million check-downs can’t take care of. An offense that never motions its receivers and tries to work vertically against lesser coverage personnel? Nothing a deep defensive backfield with hard bump and run coverage can’t eliminate.

Enter the Titans and their dominate defensive line along with a running game that makes Dallas and Tampa, two teams that ran over the Packers, look like child’s play. It will be interesting tonight to watch how they pummel the Colts defense with their two headed monster of a backfield in Lendale White and rookie phenom Chris Johnson. We can only hope the short week for the Titans, coupled with an extra week of rest for the Packers, gives the Packers some kind of advantage. Because physically, this is a Titan team that should be able to run roughshod over the Pack. And one is hard pressed to see a “Put Chillar in for Hawk to cover Dallas Clark!” type solution on the horizon. (And no, the imminent return of Justin Harrell does not offer comfort in my daily fretting over the Packer run defense)

Aren’t you glad to have grumpy old Aaron back after the bye week?