Tennessee simply could not find a way to score more than a field goal until the last minute of a 19-11 home loss to Pittsburgh, when backup quarterback Kerry Collins connected with wide receiver and former Steeler Nate Washington on a 2-yard touchdown pass with 58 seconds remaining. The Titans struggled mightily on offense, especially star running back Chris Johnson, who totaled only 34 rushing yards on 16 carries and 19 receiving yards on five catches. Johnson saw his string of consecutive 100-yard rushing games end at 12 against Pittsburgh after he had 142 the week before in a 38-13 season-opening win over Oakland.
New York might find it even harder to stop Johnson after surrendering 160 rushing yards to Indianapolis in a 38-14 loss. The Colts finished dead last in rushing offense a year ago with 80.9 yards per game compared to second-ranked Tennessee at 162 per game. The Giants lost the last meeting with the Titans 24-21 four years ago when quarterback Vince Young was a rookie, giving up 249 yard passing yards, 69 rushing yards and three touchdowns to him.
Young is coming off a rough start against the Steelers, as he committed three of the team’s seven turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble). He replaced Collins last year following an 0-6 start and led Tennessee to eight wins in the last 10 games, just missing the playoffs. Young was 7-of-10 passing for 66 yards vs. Pittsburgh while Collins finished 17-of-25 for 149.
There has been some controversy in New York after Sunday night’s loss to the Colts, with running back Brandon Jacobs seeking a trade and safety Antrel Rolle questioning the team’s leadership. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin has since met with both players to re-focus them on the task at hand, which involves trying to beat the Titans this week and improve to 2-1.
One advantage New York will have on its side is former Tennessee linebacker Keith Bulluck, who spent the first 10 years of his career playing for Titans head coach Jeff Fisher. Bulluck signed with the Giants as a free agent in the offseason and obviously knows Fisher’s defense very well.
Tennessee has won all four previous meetings with New York since the team moved from Houston both straight-up and against the spread. The Titans have won each of the last two as 3-point underdogs, with the total going OVER in the last three games between the teams.
It is still early in the week so we are still looking at this game and dont have a lean right now but Maddux Sports’ NFL Picks are currently red hot. Week 2 produced 4-1 results for our clients. We are going to likely have 5 plays for Sunday’s week 3 card so dont delay in signing up for Maddux’s weekly NFL picks.
