Due to a comment i received on a previous blog, i will now give you my thoughts on this year's (and the game in general) Thanksgiving Day Game between the Tennessee Titans (10-0) and our beloved Detroit Lion's (0-10). It has been a tradition ever since i was born to go to my Ciocie (polish for Aunt) Helen's house on Thanksgiving Day and sit in her living room (the kids on the floor) and watch the Lion's play. Every year, just like clockwork, as soon as the final whistle would sound, and the depression in the house was raised to an all-time high, my aunt's voice could be heard announcing dinner. This was my childhood, something I'm very proud of, and now here are my feelings on a key component of these memories, the Lion's.
As i before stated, the Lion's are going to play the Titans on thanksgiving day in the annual "Turkey Bowl". The winner receives the "Turkey Trophy" which is simply a bronze plated miniature statue of a turkey. The Lion's will be embarrassed on national TV again, and here's why.
The Tennessee Titans have been successful in the NFL this season for two key reasons. 1) Their ability to run the football. The Titan's lead the NFL in RYPG (Rush Yards per game). This is because of their use of a platoon running game, using two backs, Chris Johnson and Lendale White. Chris Johnson is the starter, combining a lightning fast 4.29 40 yard dash time with elusiveness, patience, and a quick cut. Lendale White, who leads the team in touchdowns, is an excellent compliment to Johnson because White, at 6'1, 245 lbs, weighs about 20-30 lbs. more than the average running back, and this confuses defenses. The defenses have just gotten used to stopping Johnson's outside runs, designed to get him loose in space where he can use his speed and agility. Now the Titan's bring in White, who is fast for his size, but has nowhere near the breakaway speed of Johnson, nor the speedy move Johnson has. White's running style is straight-ahead (north and south, as some NFL announcers call it) and he makes his living running defenders over and breaking tackles. While you won't see very many long runs (20+ yards) by White, you will probably see a consistent 3-7 YPC (yards per carry) from him. Where as Johnson will have nowhere near the same consistency, as his smaller size makes it difficult for him to run between the tackles, but you will see a cornucopia (it's thanksgiving after all) of long runs and dazzling moves.
2) Their defense. The Titans bring in one of the best defenses in the NFL, which stands as testament to their perfect 10-0 record. The Titans have held opponents to an NFL best 13.1 points per game, while allowing only 281.8 total yards per game (good for 6th in the NFL). The Titans boast one of the best defensive line's in football with Javon "The Freak" Kearse, Kyle VandonBosch, Albert "Fat Albert" Haynesworth, and Tony Brown. These 4 have combined for 16 sacks, good enough for top 10 in the NFL for starting defensive lines. Along with strongside linebacker Keith Bullock, the Titan's defense strikes fear in MY heart, and i'm not even playing.
These two particulars will lead to the Lion's demise for several reasons. The Lions have 2 MAJOR issues that have haunted them all season. 1)- stopping the run and 2) protecting the quarterback. Well, son of a bitch, because that's the 2 area's i just highlighted as being the Titan's strengths. Chris Johnson and Lendale White will tear the Lion's to shreds in much the same way as my incisors will tear the Thanksgiving meal to shreds. And when their legs finally get tired, the veteran QB Kerry Collins will be there to be "adequate" as he usually is, and toss a couple TD passes to old-timer Alge Crumpler.
I predict a Thanksgiving Day Massacre the likes of which we have never seen.
Final Score-
Detroit Lions 17
Tennessee Titans 46
No comments:
Post a Comment