Tennessee Titans (1-1) at New York Giants (1-1), 1 p.m. Sunday at New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
By Ben Kelly - InReeseWeTrust.com 9/24/10
What happened last week?
Tennessee lost a defensive battle at Pittsburgh, coughing up seven turnovers in the 19-11 loss. Quarterback Vince Young was benched in the fourth quarter for Kerry Collins, but Young will start against the Giants. Last season’s 2,000-yard rusher Chris Johnson rushed for only 34 yards on 16 carries against Pittsburgh’s defense. The only positive for Tennessee was allowing zero offensive touchdowns despite the seven turnovers, with Pittsburgh’s only touchdown being the opening kickoff return.
What to expect from the Titans:
Chris Johnson should return to the 100-yard club after missing the mark against the Steelers to break his 12 game streak. New York allowed 161 yards on 36 carries to Indianapolis running backs Donald Brown and Joseph Addai, who produced 44 yards on 10 carries in week 1. Tennessee will rely on its run game and efficient passing from Vince Young to control the ball.
What to expect from the Giants:
After last week’s humbling defeat against the Colts, the Giants need a strong offensive performance out of Eli Manning and company. The Titans have contained quarterbacks Dennis Dixon, Byron Leftwich and Jason Campbell in the first two weeks, so it will be interesting to see whether they can handle a quarterback of Manning’s level. Vince Young will not have the type of success that Peyton Manning had last week, and the Giants should pressure the pocket again as they did against Carolina, to stifle the pass game and make Tennessee’s offense one dimensional. Of course, that one dimension is offensive MVP Chris Johnson, who carried Tennessee to a late playoff push last season on his own.
Prediction:
The Giants gladly return after the Indy debacle to a warm home crowd and should throw the ball all over the field. The Titans have not been tested by a veteran quarterback yet this season, and Eli should be able to carve the Titans defense better than Pittsburgh and Oakland’s rotation of quarterbacks. The game will be won by the team hungrier for victory; Tennessee needs to keep pace with the 2-0 Houston Texans and Colts in the AFC South, while the NFC East’s forecast remains cloudy until a team emerges. Tennessee wins, 33-24.
Week 1 prediction: 28-16 Giants (Actual: 31-18 Giants)
Last week’s prediction: 21-17 Giants (Actual: 38-14 Colts)
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