| Authored by Andrew Perna - 21st October, 2008 - 11:12 am
 The Titans don’t play in a big market, their quarterback is older than most, and they have received more media attention for the trials and tribulations of their backup signal-caller than their record.
However, they are 6-0 and the NFL’s only remaining unbeaten thanks to an attack that’s both balanced and reliant on the run, if that makes any sense.
Jeff Fisher, always one of the league’s underrated coaches, has prepared his team to play each week despite first an injury, and then the media circus that has plagued former first-round pick Vince Young.
Heading into the season’s midpoint, it’s the Titans – not the Patriots, Colts or Chargers – that are standing atop the AFC.
A better record is one thing, but through the season’s first seven weeks Tennessee has a three-game lead over Indianapolis in the AFC South. If the Colts want to remain in the division race heading into November, they’ll have to knock off the Titans this Monday night at LP Field, which will be no small task.
If the Colts can force Kerry Collins to beat them, things will be easier for Peyton Manning and the offense. However, with Joseph Addai likely out, Tennessee’s ball-hawking defense will be game-planning for the pass, putting the pressure on the banged-up offensive line of Indianapolis.
Continue reading for more on the Monday night battle between the Colts and Titans, as I’ll predict a winner a little later on.
The Downs
First Down…Bills Unplug Chargers
The Bills didn’t just handle the high-powered Chargers on Sunday, but they did so without power for a majority of the game. Technical difficulties notwithstanding, Buffalo impressed the nation against San Diego, improving to 5-1 on the season thanks to tough defense and a methodical offense.
They aren’t flashy, but like the undefeated Titans, they get the job done more often than not. Philip Rivers had been close to unstoppable through the first six weeks of the season, but Buffalo pressured him, forcing three turnovers from the potential Pro Bowl quarterback. Rivers passed well, but his fumbles were costly. Expect the Bills to keep rolling with Miami on the schedule this weekend.
Second Down…Colts Come Undone
I don’t know if I have seen the Colts as confused and out of sync as they have been this season. It would be easy to blame all of their problems on the offensive line, but their defense has struggled as well even with fewer injuries than they have suffered in recent years.
Peyton Manning has been the Colts’ most important player since the day he was drafted, but the absence of Joseph Addai might mean more than many would imagine. Dominic Rhodes ran well on Sunday, but did so against Green Bay and he doesn’t possess the soft hands that Addai does. The former LSU star caught 41 passes last season, providing a nice safety valve for Manning when pressured.
Third Down…The Cincinnati Bungles
They aren’t the NFL’s only winless team, but the Bengals certainly possess the worst offense in all of football. Cincinnati is averaging nearly thirty fewer yards of offense than any other team, and only Kansas City (12.5) puts up fewer points per game.
We knew heading into the season the ground game might be a weakness, and Carson Palmer’s injury has only compounded their offensive woes. Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn’t have the arm to handle an NFL defense, and Chris Perry hasn’t been able to hold onto the ball. Cedric Benson could be the answer, we don’t know for sure yet, but Marvin Lewis hasn’t given him the ball enough.
Fourth Down…Dimming The Lights In Dallas
This wouldn’t be a real-life football column without a mention of the goings-on in Dallas. Adam Jones is in rehab, Tony Romo and Felix Jones are on the sideline and the L’s are racking up in the loss column. For the Cowboys, a loss is one thing and 34-14 pounding is another, but to receive such a beating at the hands of the Rams is unacceptable.
People, writers included, are calling for the pitchforks in Dallas, but nothing aside from a healthy quarterback is needed. Brad Johnson performed far worse than I thought he would against St. Louis this past Sunday, and things won’t be easier against Tampa Bay, but he won’t throw three interceptions again while covering for Romo. There is little room for error in the NFC East, but the Cowboys are just fine.
The ‘Who The Heck’ Statline of the Week…
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, NE RB: 65 yards and a touchdown.
Keyboard Prediction for Week Eight
Indianapolis @ Tennessee, Monday 8:30PM EST
LenDale White and Chris Johnson could have another huge night as one of the NFL’s top rush offenses battles one of the league’s worst run defenses. Tony Dungy and the Colts know that Brad Fisher and the Titans are going to run, run and run some more, but the question remains whether they’ll be able to keep White and Johnson from tallying another 300-yard, four touchdown performance.
Tennessee has the league's fifth-ranked pass offense and has surrendered just 66 points through their first six contests. If anyone can make such statistics look like aberrations, it’s Manning, but he’ll need help from both his defense and receivers. Manning is going to have to get rid of the ball quicker, which means Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Co. are going to have to remain alert and gain yards after the catch.
No one, aside from a handful of historical teams, can remain spotless over a full season. The Titans will crack on Monday night as the Colts play with their backs against the wall. It’ll be close, but Manning will make the passes Collins can no longer convert, and Indianapolis will hand the Titans their first loss of the year.
The Keyboard Prediction: Indianapolis 27, Tennessee 21
Season Record: 4-3
My Fantasy Diary:
Things didn’t look promising after the first eight games of the afternoon on Sunday, but thanks to a heroic performance from Thomas Jones (who cares if the Jets lost?), The Drew Crew improved to 4-3 on the season.
Philip Rivers had his worst game of the season, but my opponent the Vipers,were forced to start Marc Bulger thanks to Carson Palmer’s injury and Matt Ryan’s bye-week. Chris Johnson and Matt Forte accounted for forty of the Vipers’ eighty points, but his wide receivers might as well have stayed home.
Jones combined with Bernard Berrian to provide The Crew with a much-needed push. Dallas Clark, who had a touchdown taken away thanks to a booth review, still had 81 receiving yards, more than we’ve come to expect this season.
Now, if only the rest of my team could stay on the field.
Not a single point was scored by my bench in Week Seven, and only the Philadelphia defense had the weekend off.
Matt Hasselbeck (soon-to-be released), Joseph Addai, Felix Jones and Chris Chambers watched from the sideline as each one of their teams lost. In addition, Marques Colston, who I nearly placed in my lineup when news broke that he would play, also went without a single reception despite spending a good amount of time on the field.
I’ll face Brett Favre, Marshawn Lynch, DeAngelo Williams, Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald and the Springfield Isotopes this weekend with a 5-3 record dominating my dreams.
Week One Record: 4-1
Week Two Record: 4-1
Week Three Record: 1-4
Week Four Record: 3-2
Week Five Record: 2-3
Week Six Record: 4-1
Week Seven Record: 3-2
Season Record: 19-11 (.633)
Top Ten Fantasy Starters At Each Position For Week Eight
Based On Prior Week Performance And Matchups
Bye Week Advisory: Chicago, Denver, Green Bay and Minnesota
Quarterbacks
1. Drew Brees, New Orleans vs. San Diego (London)
2. Philip Rivers, San Diego @ New Orleans (London)
3. Brett Favre, N.Y. Jets vs. Kansas City
4. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia vs. Atlanta
5. Kurt Warner, Arizona @ Carolina
6. Jason Campbell, Washington @ Detroit
7. Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants @ Pittsburgh
8. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis @ Tennessee
9. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh vs. N.Y. Giants
10. Matt Schaub, Houston vs. Cincinnati
Running Backs
1. Clinton Portis, Washington @ Detroit
2. Marion Barber, Dallas vs. Tampa Bay
3. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego @ New Orleans (London)
4. Chris Johnson, Tennessee vs. Indianapolis
5. Frank Gore, San Francisco vs. Seattle
6. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia vs. Atlanta (injury risk)
7. Steven Jackson, St. Louis @ New England (injury risk)
8. Michael Turner, Atlanta @ Philadelphia
9. Ronnie Brown, Miami vs. Buffalo
10. Brandon Jacobs, N.Y. Giants @ Pittsburgh
Wide Receivers
1. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona @ Carolina
2. Calvin Johnson, Detroit vs. Washington
3. Andre Johnson, Houston vs. Cincinnati
4. Santana Moss, Washington @ Detroit
5. Steve Smith, Carolina vs. Arizona
6. Lee Evans, Buffalo @ Miami
7. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis @ Tennessee
8. Terrell Owens, Dallas vs. Tampa Bay
9. Laveranues Coles, N.Y. Jets vs. Kansas City
10. Plaxico Burress, N.Y. Giants @ Pittsburgh
Tight Ends
1. Jason Witten, Dallas vs. Tampa Bay
2. Antonio Gates. San Diego @ New Orleans (London)
3. Owen Daniels, Houston vs. Cincinnati
4. Chris Cooley, Washington @ Detroit
5. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City @ N.Y. Jets
6. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis @ Tennessee
7. Anthony Fasano, Miami @ Buffalo
8. Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville vs. Cleveland
9. Kellen Winslow, Cleveland @ Jacksonville
10. John Carlson, Seattle @ San Francisco
Kickers
1. Jason Elam, Atlanta @ Philadelphia
2. John Carney, N.Y. Giants @ Pittsburgh
3. Joe Nedney, San Francisco vs. Seattle
4. John Kasay, Carolina vs. Arizona
5. Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay @ Dallas
6. Nate Kaeding, San Diego @ New Orleans (London)
7. Rian Lindell, Buffalo vs. Miami
8. Shaun Suisham, Washington @ Detroit
9. Rob Bironas, Tennessee vs. Indianapolis
10. David Akers, Philadelphia vs. Atlanta
Defense/Special Teams
1. Philadelphia Eagles, vs. Atlanta
2. Tennessee Titans, vs. Indianapolis
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, @ Dallas
4. Baltimore Ravens, vs. Oakland
5. Washington Redskins, @ Detroit
6. Carolina Panthers, vs. Arizona
7. Jacksonville Jaguars, vs. Cleveland
8. Houston Texans, vs. Cincinnati
9. Pittsburgh Steelers, vs. N.Y. Giants
10. N.Y. Giants, @ Pittsburgh
Predictions, Fantasy Stories, or Comments? Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
