Titans: 3 keys to defeating the Packers on Thursday Night Football

The Tennessee Titans (6-3) are set to take on Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers (4-6) on Thursday Night Football from Lambeau Field in what is sure to be a challenge. Although Green Bay's 2022 season has been underwhelming, an impressive Week 10 victory over Dallas in overtime gives reason to believe things could […]

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Dec 27, 2020; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is pressured by Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (52) in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2020; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is pressured by Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (52) in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans (6-3) are set to take on Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers (4-6) on Thursday Night Football from Lambeau Field in what is sure to be a challenge.

Although Green Bay's 2022 season has been underwhelming, an impressive Week 10 victory over Dallas in overtime gives reason to believe things could be turning around for the Pack. Coming off of a short week will pose an additional challenge to a banged up Titans' roster, as well.

Tennessee is once again without a number of impact starters, and they will have to overcome injuries and cold weather to return home 7-3. Here's a look at how they can do that, with my three keys to the game for a Titans' victory on Thursday Night Football.

1. Stop the Run

Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon (28) and running back Aaron Jones (33) run to their next drill during training camp on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis. Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis. Gpg Training Camp 08082022 0002
Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon (28) and running back Aaron Jones (33) run to their next drill during training camp on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis. Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis.Gpg Training Camp 08082022 0002

Anytime you're playing the Packers, it's easy to key your defense on future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Even in a "down year", he's still one of the best in the game at improvisation, extending a play, and taking advantage of little defensive mistakes.

That being said, anybody who knows the story of the 2022 Packers knows that stopping their offense starts and ends with stopping the run. Green Bay has had 200 team rushing yards in three of their four wins this season, with the unique combo of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon wearing opposing defenses down. There is always a set of fresh legs coming at you, and both of them are incredibly difficult to tackle.

Luckily for Tennessee, Titans' star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is expected to return and play tonight, giving a huge boost to their run defense. The Titans defensive line has earned praise all season for their ability to rush the passer, but as Mike Vrabel said in his press conference earlier this week, rushing the passer effectively is earned by containing the run.

If the Titans can slow down Jones and Dillon, there's a really good chance they can stifle Green Bay's entire offense.

2. Heavy Dose of Henry

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) hands the ball to running back Derrick Henry (22) in the first quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Nfl Denver Broncos At Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) hands the ball to running back Derrick Henry (22) in the first quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.Nfl Denver Broncos At Tennessee Titans

It's not really going out a limb to say that the Titans need to feed Derrick Henry if they want to win this game. Henry, currently the NFL's second leading rusher, has carried the Titans offense to a 6-3 start despite injuries to Ryan Tannehill and a lack of game-changing wide receivers on the roster.

Henry's usage has gone down a bit over the last few weeks, though. Henry was on the field for less than 60% of snaps in each of last two weeks, down from around 75% in the two weeks prior to that. He had less than 20 carries in each of those two games, as well. That simply cannot be the case on Thursday night.

Green Bay's run defense has been one of the worst in the league, surrendering 122.8 rushing yards per game to opposing running backs.

The Titans' best chance to have a big offensive night is through the ground game, and by giving Derrick Henry somewhere close to 30 carries, you can exploit the Packers' biggest defensive weakness and break things open.

3. Hit a Big Play

Nov 13, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (15) catches a touchdown pass during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (15) catches a touchdown pass during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

We all know the Titans have had issues at sustaining drives on offense this season. Henry and the rushing attack have been great, and Ryan Tannehill tends to do more with less, but with the lack of weapons and protection around him, the Titans offense stalls out far too often.

If you can't rely on Tennessee to consistently put long drives together and put points on the board that way, perhaps the recipe for scoring is in the big play.

Tennessee punted on eight of 12 offensive possessions last week against Denver, lost a fumble, and on 50 percent of their drives, they never picked up a single first down. Despite those struggles, a clever flea-flicker play-call resulted in a 63-yard touchdown pass from Tannehill to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and the Titans were able to score 17 points and win the game.

Relying on the run game can get them so far, but I think Tennessee will need to hit at least one big-play through the air to get some quick offense en route to a win.

Image via Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports