Denver v Tennessee
The Tennessee Titans proved to the football world that they are more than ready to challenge for this year’s AFC South title, and will get another chance to prove they are capable when they host a beat up Denver Broncos on Sunday in Music City.
Venue/Stadium: LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee
Time/Date: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 25, 2011
NFL Odds From: 5 Dimes
Spread (ATS): Titans -7.5
Over/Under: 42.5
With the Colts out of the way and probably out of contention for the rest of the season, the Titans followed up its awkward 16-14 loss at Jacksonville, with an extraordinary 26-13 victory over Baltimore last weekend that made the Ravens vaunted defense look like a Pop Warner team.
Quarterback Matt Hasselback proved that there’s still some gas left in the tank, throwing for 358 yards and a touchdown, while Kenny Britt followed up last week’s big performance with nine more catches for 135 yards and a touchdown reception.
Hasselbeck has thrown for 621 yards – third in the AFC behind Tom Brady and Philip Rivers – with three touchdowns and two interceptions. (take that Pete Carroll)
In the meantime, the Titans are still looking to get their running game back in order, as preseason holdout Chris Johnson, rushed for only 53 yards on 24 carries against Baltimore.
The Titans defense outplayed the Ravens forcing two interceptions and collecting three sacks to further establish themselves a formidable foe.
Meanwhile over in Denver, the Broncos also rebounded after losing at home to the Raiders in the season’s first Monday Night Football matchup, sweating out a narrow 24-22 win over the Bengals. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Five Denver starters missed the game, including wide receiver Brandon Lloyd. That left just three receivers, including Eddie Royal, who left the game with an injury in the first half. Denver backup quarterback Tim Tebow was called upon to come in as an emergency wide receiver but did not make any catches in his season debut.
Despite the Broncos dropping like flies, the good news is that running back Willis McGahee, who started in place of the injured Knowshon Moreno, posted 101 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals.
The Broncos will need a repeat performance from McGahee, who will likely shoulder most the load as Moreno, if he returns, will not be 100 percent.
The Denver defense has also suffered its share of knocks, as Pro Bowl corner Champ Bailey is expected to miss his second straight game. They unit has endured however, with a solid rushing defense that allowed just 72 yards against Cincinnati just one week after holding Oakland to under 200.
Matt’s Prediction: Tennessee 21, Broncos 17 – Denver has won three straight over the Titans, including a 26-20 victory at Tennessee for their only road win in 2010. However, I look for Johnson to get back on the rails, making the difference as Tennessee establishes the running game and wears down Denver’s defense.
