Behind Enemy Lines: Tennessee Titans
PITTSBURGH (93-7 the Fan) ---
Game 5:
Steelers at Titans, LP Field, Nashville, TN, Thursday 8:20pm NFL Network
Spread: Pittsburgh (-6) 43.5 O/U
All-time regular season series: Titans lead overall series since moving from Houston 11-7, 8-2 in Tennessee.
Last Meeting: October 9, 2011, Pittsburgh 38-17
The Tennessee Titans are bad, really bad! The Titans have scored more than 1 touchdown just twice in the first 5 weeks of the 2012 season and more than 2 once, in their lone win of the year in week 3. The Titans have been bad at stopping the run and even worse at running the ball. They rank 30th in the NFL, averaging just 65 yards per game on the ground. On top of all of that the Titans are beat up. Starting QB Jake Locker is out for the game and top WR threat Kenny Britt is still questionable.
Offensive Player to Watch: Chris Johnson, Running Back
Johnson has been pretty bad for the Titans this year, but he still has that breakout potential. Just like Darren McFadden broke that big run against the Steeler defense in week 3, Johnson has that big play ability. The Steelers have held Johnson in check the past two meetings, holding him to a total of 85 yards in 30 carries. This season he has had just one 100-yd game, and hasn't gone over 25 yards in the other 4 games.
Defensive Player to Watch: Tommie Campbell, Cornerback
We are going with Campbell here simply because he is a local kid. Campbell is an Aliquippa High School product that scored a touchdown in the Titans only win of the season on a 65 yard punt return against the Lions. Campbell is primarily a special teams player, but will also see spot duties in the secondary for the Titans.
Strengths: None
Honestly there is nothing that anybody that follows this team would consider a strength. This team is in a major rebuilding phase and might just be the worst in the NFL. Luckily they play Jacksonville twice each year to settle that argument on the field.
Weaknesses: Secondary
The Titans have allowed 12 passing touchdowns this season, only the Redskins have allowed more through the first 5 weeks of the season. Considering that Ben Roethlisberger has been the Steelers offense this year while Mendenhall works his way back, I would expect many 3-wide sets for the Steelers in Nashville on Thursday night.
He Said It:
"I'm just worried about getting the ball and hoping to get positive yards." -Titans Head Coach, Mike Munchak on the Titans running game with Chris Johnson this season.
