The Green Bay Packers are looking to extend a four-game winning streak, but more importantly, they are looking to maintain control of the number one seed in the NFC. If they win out, there’s nothing to worry about. However, the Packers must first get through the 10-4 Tennessee Titans on Sunday Night Football.

The last time Green Bay faced Tennessee, it was an utter embarrassment. In their 2016 matchup, the Packers trailed by as much as 25 points before losing 47 to 25.

Green Bay turned the ball over three times that day, which can’t happen again. The Packers are undefeated in games this season in which they haven’t turned the ball over.  Four years ago, Rodgers threw two interceptions. He’s thrown four all year in 2020.

The defense also had a less than stellar day in their previous meeting. Marcus Mariota threw four touchdowns and finished with a quarterback rating of 93.6. Meanwhile, the Titans rushing attacked was operating at full strength as DeMarco Murray carried the ball 17 times for 123 yards, including a rushing touchdown. It was Derrick Henry’s rookie season as he ended the game with nine carries for 31 yards.

Henry is going to get a lot more than nine carries when these two teams meet up on Sunday. Henry leads all running backs in rush attempts this year by 24 carries. He is also first in yards at 1,679 and tied for first with 15 rushing touchdowns.

Tennessee’s offense might be led by Henry, but quarterback Ryan Tannehill is having one of his best seasons to date. He’s thrown 31 touchdowns to just five interceptions and is also completing over 66 percent of his passes. When looking at Henry, Tannehill, and the threats the Titans have at receiver, Green Bay’s defense needs to have a meaningful performance against the number two ranked offense. The run defense can only hope to contain Henry, but in the same breath, their ability to defend the pass will be tested as well.

The good news is, Tennessee’s defense has been below average in 2020. While they are tied for the NFL lead in turnover differential, they will be rolling out the 27th ranked defense to try and stop Aaron Rodgers. According to the dope sheet, Rodgers has thrown 16 touchdowns (No. 1 in the NFL), zero interceptions, and a passer rating of 132.7 (No. 1 in the NFL, min. 25 pass att.) in prime-time games this season.

Also working against them, the Titans have struggled mightily to rush the quarterback this year. Their total of 14 sacks as a team in 2020 is dead last in the NFL. An unphased Rodgers in the pocket this week could be deadly, but the Packers need to start fast to avoid going down early.

If they trail early on, Tennessee will allow Henry to wear this defense down. However, if Green Bay captures the lead and holds onto it, it will certainly help limit Henry’s touches.

The Titans’ defense also hasn’t been great against the run this season. They are allowing 114.5 rushing yards per game in 2020, and Packers running back Aaron Jones is coming off a 145-yard performance against the Carolina Panthers.

Green Bay could have center Corey Linsley back this week, who would only prop up the rushing attack. Linsley has missed the last three games with a knee and remains on injured reserve. 

The Packers should be treating this like a playoff game with the regular season coming to an end. Tennessee is a worthy opponent and a better representation of what they will face in the playoffs. A poor performance Sunday night could diminish Green Bay’s confidence a tad even with the number one seed still in play.