Packers-Titans: Green Bay Falls Just Short of Unbeaten Tennessee Titans

Sunday, the Green Bay Packers did something no one else had this season.

All seven previous opponents of the Tennessee Titans had found themselves on the short end of the scoreboard results at the end of regulation. The Packers were tied, 16-16.

But this is not hockey, where you get credit for merely forcing your game into overtime. Once the Packers lost the coin toss, they were all but guaranteed a loss.

Why? The tired and injury-depleted defensive line could not hold up against the run, and the Titans knew it. They attempted only two passes (netting five yards) versus seven runs for 39 yards, en route to setting up a 41-yard, game-winning field goal.

As I had said in my preview, the Packers needed to have a lead to force the Titans to pass late in the game in order to win. The Titans came in with the fourth-ranked rushing attack, and the Packers were in the bottom quarter of the league against the run.

Even before the extra session, Tennessee had 139 yards on the ground. Thus, they were not in need of more than the 171 yards the managed on 39 pass plays, including the two Packers sacks.

They also had no turnovers, thanks to the Packers missing golden opportunities to intercept Kerry Collins, who was 18-37. On one play, Al Harris and a teammate battled for a ball either of them could have had, and Atari Bigby dropped another.

The Packers did run the ball successfully for the second game in a row, getting 102 yards on 24 carries and actually led in time of possession by about three minutes. Aaron Rodgers was 22-41 for 314 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but he was also sacked four times for 26 yards, including one fumble.

In fact, while his numbers are respectable, I have to say his performance did not match the statistics. This was one of only two less-than-stellar games so far Rodgers has had this season, but the primary advantage he offers over Brett Favre is ball security, and the interception he threw was, well, Favre-esque—e.g. an ill-advised and unnecessary pass forced deep into double coverage, killing a drive.

Next week, the Packers play in Minnesota, and the loser faces an uphill climb to reach the playoffs, because it is likely that only the division winner from the NFC North will get in.

We will need Rodgers to be Rodgers and the defensive secondary to be the one that came up with 12 interceptions and five touchdown returns in the six games following the opening night game against the Vikings, in order to stay in striking distance of the Bears.