Good morning, everyone. On Sunday December 27th, the Green Bay Packers will be taking on the Tennessee Titans at Lambeau Field. I have a feeling that this game will be a high-scoring affair, with each team averaging at least 31 points per game. As always, I am here to give you my thoughts on what Green Bay needs to do to win this pivotal game. Let’s get started.
On offense, it all starts with a balanced attack of run and pass. With Jamaal Williams not likely to play due to injury (listed as doubtful on the injury report), it is up to Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon to carry the ball for Green Bay. For the offensive linemen, they should have no problem creating the running lanes for Jones and Dillon to go through. Hopefully AJ Dillon gets more than one carry on Sunday night (maybe a goal-line TD run). If everything goes well with the running game, I would not be surprised to see at least 150 yards on the ground against the Titans defense. For the passing game, I think that QB Aaron Rodgers and the receivers will have a big night in terms of production. Obviously, it starts with the offensive line protecting Rodgers from any sacks or pressures, which did not occur in the second half last week. With the hope of Corey Linsley coming back soon, I think that the O-Line will rebound against a Titans defense that only has 14 sacks so far this season. If they are able to keep Rodgers upright, then he will be able to throw to the receivers with no problem. One target I want to highlight is tight end Robert Tonyan, who has caught 10 TD passes in the 2020 season. He is now away from tying Paul Coffman’s franchise record of touchdown catches by a tight end (he caught 11 of them in 1983). I think that he will not only tie that mark, but break it in these last 2 games (hopefully on Sunday night). I would also not be surprised that Davante Adams will have another 100-yard game against the Titans defense. As long as Rodgers throws accurately and the receivers don’t drop any catches, I think that they will score plenty of points on Sunday night. As always, the time of possession battle needs to be won by Green Bay. Converting third downs in every quarter, avoiding turnovers, and scoring touchdowns at the end of long drives (especially in the red zone) will help the Packers accomplish this goal. As long as mistakes are limited to zero, I think that the offense will put up at least 40 points on Sunday night.
On Sunday night, the Packers defense will face their toughest test when it comes to running backs. So far in 2020, Derrick Henry has rushed for 1,679 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Titans. In the process, he has run over mostly any defender that unfortunately crossed his path on the football field. It will be tough, but I think that the defense will keep Henry somehow in check. In terms of how to tackle him, the defenders need to wrap him up and not dive at his feet for just use their shoulder. I have some hope that a defender will not be stiff-armed by Henry on Sunday night (although that could happen anyway). In terms of proper tackling, that should also apply to the receivers for Tennessee, who include AJ Brown and Corey Davis. Speaking of those receivers, they need to be covered well by the Packers secondary, which includes Jaire Alexander, Kevin King, Chandon Sullivan, Adrian Amos, and Darnell Savage. For the pass rush, they need to pressure QB Ryan Tannehill and not let him get comfortable in the pocket. When there is a play-action fake, the linebackers can’t bite on it and allow an easy completion for the Titans offense. I have hope that the Packers defense will force the Titans to turn it over a couple of times (maybe a pick-six by Jaire Alexander or a strip-sack by Za'Darius Smith). Most importantly, the Packers defense needs to keep the Titans from converting too many third downs. What can help them in this regard is limiting the offense to only a couple of yards on the first 2 downs. Tackling the ball carrier or sacking the QB for a loss of yards can help with this as well. Another important thing for the defense is to limit the Titans to mostly field goals in the red zone. As long as the defense does not miss any tackles or allow a big chunk play, I think that the defense will do well on Sunday night.
On Special Teams, the Packers need to avoid any mistakes that can give Tennessee unexpected momentum on Sunday night. The coverage unit needs to make sure that no big kick or punt returns are allowed. What can help the Packers in this regard is for the kickoffs to go into the end zone for a touchback, even in the cold. For JK Scott, his punts need to be field-flippers and with no chance to be returned (kicking them out of bounds works too). On the other side, Tavon Austin needs to make the most of his return opportunities. He needs to follow the blocks and evade tacklers on his way to a sizable return (maybe a TD return in the process). On any kick or punt, he needs to make smart decisions with the ball and not turn it over. Even in the cold weather of Green Bay, Mason Crosby should have no problem making every field goal and extra point kick, which he has done masterfully all season long (*knocks on wood*). Hunter Bradley needs to snap each ball accurately, and the line needs to keep any kick or punt from being blocked by the Titans. On the other side, maybe this will be the week that the Packers can get a blocked kick and extra momentum in the process. As long as no mistakes are made, I think that the Packers will be fine on Special Teams.
I really think that this game will be a very entertaining one. Hopefully the Packers get the win at home and maybe clinch the NFC’s #1 seed in the process (they need the Rams to beat the Seahawks). Regardless of the outcome, I hope that this game is played clean with no additional injuries or COVID-19 cases for either team. I will be here for my post-game thoughts sometime this upcoming week. Have a great weekend, everyone. Go Pack Go!
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