Packers-Titans: Five Matchups To Watch

The Green Bay Packers' (4-3) roller coaster 2008 season has them on top of the NFC North through eight weeks, and their Week Nine stop takes them to the Music City to take on the NFL's lone undefeated team in the Tennessee Titans.

The AFC South leading Titans (7-0) are coming off a 31-21 Monday night win over the Indianapolis Colts, and the Packers are two weeks removed from also beating the Colts, 34-14. It will mark the first time in almost 18 years that the Packers have faced an opponent with a record of 7-0 or better.

Five matchups to watch Sunday

1. Packers' RB Ryan Grant vs. Titans' LB Keith Bullock

Grant has started to come as of late, but he faces quite possibly his toughest challenge of the season. The Titans have given up the eighth fewest rushing yards in the NFL and rank 10th in fewest rushing yards per game, so running for Green Bay might be a struggle Sunday.

However, Grant had his first 100-yard rushing performance of 2008 against the Colts, and the momentum seems to be building for the Packers' offensive line. Grant and the line have had a week off to rest and get healthy, so there is reasonable optimism for the Packers' rushing attack.

One player the Packers will have to account for in the Titans' defensive 11 is linebacker Keith Bullock. Bullock is an athletic playmaker, and if the Packers don't put a blocker on him, he could cause problems in the Green Bay backfield. 

Advantage: Even

2. Packers' Interior Offensive Line vs. Titans' DT Albert Haynesworth

Haynesworth is the anchor of the Titans' defensive front and will present the Packers' interior linemen a challenge they haven't seen since the Vikings came to Lambeau Field in Week One. Haynesworth has registered six sacks and 12 quarterback pressures so far in 2008 and will require constant double teams.

The Packers trio of center Scott Wells, and guards Jason Spitz and Darryn Colledge will take on the task of blocking the sixth-year defensive tackle. Wells is very familiar with Haynesworth, as both played for the Tennessee Volunteers during their collegiate careers and got to practice against each other every day.

Haynesworth would be favored against almost every trio of interior lineman in the NFL, so the Packers will be no different Sunday. As Green Bay will find out, you can't stop Haynesworth; you can only hope to contain him.

Advantage: Titans

3. Packers' S Atari Bigby vs. Titans' RB's Chris Johnson and LenDale White

This may seem like an unusual matchup, but Bigby will be asked to be a tone setter for this game. Bigby is returning from a hamstring injury and will need to play well near the line of scrimmage to stop the Titans' lightning-and-thunder running-back duo.

That duo has the talent to hurt the Packers. Johnson could be the fastest running back in the NFL, and LenDale is proving to be an effective short-yardage back with his size and power. Tennessee is ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per game and also has a league-leading 14 rushing touchdowns.

Bigby can't be counted on to play at his highest level coming off the injury, and the Packers overall run defense is still a work in progress. Plus, the Titans have a physical offensive line that could push around the Packers' front four.

Advantage: Titans

4. Packers' WR Greg Jennings vs. Titans' CB Cortland Finnegan

Jennings went into the Packers' bye week as the NFL's leading receiver, yardage-wise, but was passed up by the Texans' Andre Johnson. Nevertheless, Jennings will present the Titans a tough matchup Sunday. Jennings has gained a reputation for big plays, and is without a doubt Aaron Rodgers' primary target.

The Titans will counter with Finnegan, who is tied with the Packers' Charles Woodson and Nick Collins and teammate Michael Griffin for the NFL lead in interceptions with four. Finnegan played well against the Colts' Reggie Wayne a week ago, so he has the experience against big-time receivers.

Jennings has been arguably one of the NFL's most exciting players this season, and his development has put him in the upper echelon of NFL receivers. The Titans have to avoid the big play that Jennings can provide, so keep an eye on this matchup.

Advantage: Packers

5. Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers vs. Titans' Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz

Rodgers has been nothing short of spectacular for Green Bay so far, and his ailing shoulder had two weeks to heal up in preparation for this game.

Schwartz utilizes a 4-3 scheme with usually a mix of two-deep or three-deep zones and man-to-man coverages. Rodgers will need to extend the zone with deep passes, which is something he has proven he can do in his first seven starts. Schwartz will also look to blitz Rodgers and disrupt the Packers' passing rhythm. If the Packers get down early, Rodgers could be running for his life all afternoon.

The Titans have only been giving up 185.2 yards per game passing, so Rodgers will need a good performance to crack this defense. However, he has shown the ability to beat two and three-deep zone coverages—mostly with deep balls to Jennings and Driver—so don't expect Rodgers to just lay down for the Titans.

Advantage: Even

Tennessee plays host to Green Bay Sunday at 12:00 CDT, on FOX.