Tennessee Titans: Keys to Victory vs. the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11

With all the trouble the Houston Texans are having with injuries, you would be certain that scenario would give the Tennessee Titans a great chance to take the division.

Still, this is the NFL, and we all know nothing is guaranteed. Tennessee still has to go out and play the games, and more importantly win them as well.

This week, it's the Atlanta Falcons who are 5-4, coming off a bad loss last week to the New Orleans Saints.

This is certainly a game the Titans can win, helping them get on the road to winning the division and ultimately making the playoffs.

Here are the keys to victory for the Titans.

Establish the Passing Attack

Surprisingly, the Titans passing attack with Matt Hasselbeck behind center has been the driving force of their offense in 2011. I would've called you crazy had you told me at the start of the season it would end up like this.

So the passing attack is there for Tennessee, all they need to do is bring their rushing attack to the table as well and they can have a dangerous offense.

If Hasselbeck can establish the Titans' passing game early, they can open up that tough run defense of Atlanta, making it a long day for head coach Mike Smith.

The Falcons' biggest team weakness is their pass defense and the Titans should take advantage of that early, springing CJ2K and their rushing attack later in the game.

Put Pressure on Matt Ryan

With four interceptions in his last three games, Matt Ryan is prone to making turnovers when he's throwing the ball.

If the Titans' 15th-ranked pass defense can put pressure on Atlanta's quarterback, they might be able to take advantage of a few of Ryan's mistakes.

The Titans have had problems getting to the quarterback this season as they are 21st in the NFL with 19 sacks as a team. They've got to do a better job putting pressure on Ryan in this one.

The Falcons have had some issues protecting their quarterback. Ryan has been hit enough times to put him in the top-10 in the NFL.

If they can put some pressure on him by blitzing, it could be a long, painful day for Ryan.

Give CJ2K the Ball!

After receiving a full workload in Week 10, Chris Johnson seems to be back on track after gaining 130 yards on 27 carries. It was the highest number of attempts this season for CJ2K, and no coincidence, it was his best game.

That must continue Week 11, but it won't come easy. The Falcons rush defense is the third-best in the NFL which should make Johnson's job that much more difficult.

The Titans have had success moving the ball through the air this year while the running game has struggled. That would have been thought to be the other way around when the season started.

Hasselbeck should be able to throw the ball on the Falcons' 23rd-ranked pass defense, setting up Johnson's attack on the ground.

I expect Johnson and the Titans to prove their rushing attack is better than the 31st-ranked position it currently sits at.

Shut Down Michael Turner

Michael Turner enters Week 11 as the sixth-best rusher in the NFL with 788 yards on the ground this season.

On the other hand, the Titans rush defense has been bad. That can't continue this week.

Turner will have a field day if the Titans can't stop the run so they must make it a priority.

Tennessee has been much better as of late, not allowing a running back to gain 100 yards since Arian Foster did it Week 7.

If the Titans can continue to build on that success, they will shut Atlanta's rushing attack down and force Matt Ryan to beat them. As I mentioned before, that might be the best bet for them to win on the defensive side of the ball considering Ryan's prone to making mistakes.

Prediction: Tennessee 27, Atlanta 21

These are two evenly matched teams coming into Week 11 of the NFL season. Both are in second place in their respective divisions, clawing for a playoff spot.

With the resurgence of CJ2K, the Titans should be able to have one of their most complete games offensively if they can take advantage of a bad Falcons' pass defense.

When Johnson is at his best, I believe there isn't a team in the NFL who can stop him, not even the tough Falcons' run defense.

With Johnson finally in mid-season form, the Titans will be moving the ball down the field well, putting points on the board that will be too much for the Falcons to overcome.

Defensively speaking, I expect Turner to establish himself early as a force in this game. The Titans will have to adjust and force Ryan to beat them.

Look for Tennessee to have their best game as far as putting pressure on the quarterback with Atlanta's lackluster offensive line.

That will result in a few mistakes from Ryan, being the difference in the Titans win, propelling them to a 6-4 record.