The first rule of warfare is to know your enemy. I have exchanged emails with Jimmy Morris of Music City Miracles, a Tennessee Titans blog. Here are his opinions of this weeks’ game.
The Titans have a great defensive line anchored by Albert Haynesworth. He will be paired up with Steve Hutchinson on Sunday. Haynesworth is one of the best defensive tackles in the league, but Hutchinson is one of the best offensive tackles in the league. Who wins this matchup, and what does it mean for both teams?
MCM: Haynesworth wins the match-up because he is pretty much unblockable. The Vikings will end up having to use help with Fat Albert in the middle and that will open up things for Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse.
It means that the Vikings will not have as much success running the ball between the tackles as they usually do. I am not saying they are going to shut the running game down, but I don’t see AP and company getting 5 yards a carry.
The Vikings have one of the best run defenses in the league and I’m curious as to how LenDale White and rookie Chris Johnson are faring so far this year. What do you expect them to do against Minnesota?
MCM: Johnson and White have fared quite well so far. White has scored 4 touchdowns already this season, and Johnson is averaging 92 yards a game, while splitting carries, and averaging 5.5 yards per carry.The Vikings have a very good run defense, but the Titans have one of the best offensive lines in the league. I don’t see the Titans rushing for 200 yards against the Vikings, but I see White and CJ ending up right around what they have averaged per game this season ( CJ 92 ypg, White 49.3).CJ is also very good at catching the ball out of the backfield, and that could be where he makes the most impact this week.
The Titans also have a great run defense, at least when looking at the numbers. You haven’t played many teams with good running attacks, with the possible exception of the Jaguars. How do you expect the Titan’s defensive line to react to Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor, and how will they perform?
MCM: The Jaguars have one of the best, if not the best, running back tandems in the league, and the Titans held them to 31 yards rushing.All I have read from Vikings fans all week is how overrated the Titans defense is. It is most of the same defense that ranked 5th against the run last season. I am sure Peterson will get some yards, he is too good to be shut down, but don’t expect to see him running free all day.
Will Alge Crumpler have a big effect on this game? Is he really washed up or is he still capable of making solid plays? Does quarterback Kerry Collins rely on him much? How will he match up with the Minnesota linebackers?
MCM: Crumpler isn’t washed up. Collins started to find him a lot last week. The Titans rely on their tight ends a lot. I don’t expect this week to be any different. Crumpler and Bo Scaife should both be in for a pretty good day.
Speaking of quarterback, how has Kerry Collins performed this year? Is he living up to or surpassing the idea that he is nothing more than an extreme veteran who cannot scramble and panics under pressure?
MCM: Collins has managed the game well, and that is all the Titans expect for him to do. You should check the stats, Collins had 3 carries for 30 yards last week.
