Chris Johnson's Struggling Season Looking Up as Tennessee Titans Open Up

Chris Johnson has had a down year after his milestone 2,000-yard season in 2009. He is ultimately the target of every defense the Tennessee Titans have played this year, and some of the defenses have succeeded in stopping him while others have not.

In five games this year Chris has had less than 100 yards in two of those games; both of the Titans losses. CJ is second in total yards and fifth in yards per game through five games this season, which is something most backs would love to do, but Chris Johnson is the type of back that wants to be first in both of those categories.

Arian Foster has the most yards rushing so far this season, with 79 yards more than Chris Johnson.

Adrian Peterson has the most yards per game this year, 23 yards per game more than Johnson.

Compared to most backs in the NFL Johnson is doing just fine, but compared to the CJ Titans fans love he is sub-par. Johnson averaged 125 yards per game last year, while only averaging 97 so far this season.

All is not lost though in Johnson's search for a second 2,000-yard season, however he doesn't really have any hopes for 2,500.

Last year in Johnson's 2,006-yard season he gained most of his yards from Week 6 through Week 17. Actually, CJ had exactly 485 yards rushing through five games last year with only one 100-yard game. This year through five games Johnson has exactly 485 yards rushing with two 100-yard games.

Johnson could be looking at another 2,000-yard season as the Titans came out in Dallas throwing the ball on the opening drive to allow for a more efficient running game, and ultimately more yards for Chris Johnson.

Chris Johnson is actually perfectly on pace, based on history, for say...2,006 yards. Will he get it again? It is hard to tell, but things are looking up as the Titans have seemingly figured out passing the ball is needed to open up the run.

Johnson has also yet to see a defense from inside the division this season, which in 11 previous games against the division CJ has racked up 108 yards per game. Johnson was rested in Week 17 of 2008 against the Colts.

As CJ has not started off on a normal pace for 2,000 yards do not discount what he can do in the next 11 weeks if the Titans open the field up for him with the pass. Helping Johnson to get 100 yards per game is also good for the team as a whole, because in 19 career 100-yard games for CJ the Titans are 15-4.