Titans @ Broncos Preview – Around the Web

Taking a look around the Internet, on what the experts, beat writers, soothsayers, and your grandpa are saying about the upcoming game. We’ll give you a snippet, then you can jump through the links provided and read everything they had to say.

“Use Brandon Jones in the slot. The Broncos’ Champ Bailey is a big cornerback who matches up favorably against Titans wide receiver Justin Gage, and cornerback Dre’ Bly has the quickness and speed to lock down Titans wide receiver Eric Moulds. However, if the Titans line up Jones in the slot, he will have the advantage over nickel cornerback Karl Paymah. The Broncos may use safety Domonique Foxworth in the slot to cover Jones, but regardless Jones still has the size and speed advantage. Look for him to have success with crossing routes and deep “ins” when the Titans go to their three-receiver package.” [The War Room – Sporting News]

“MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Broncos interior offensive line vs. Titans DT Albert Haynesworth — Last week when Haynesworth didn’t play, the Titans allowed 166 rushing yards. They hadn’t allowed 100 in any other game this season. That’s all the proof needed that Haynesworth has been one of the best defensive players in the NFL this season. Denver’s interior line isn’t huge, but it has to find a way to neutralize the massive Haynesworth inside.” [NOTE: Haynesworth is questionable for tonight and should be a game time decision] [Inside Slant – USA Today]

“The weakness of the Broncos’ run defense (until last weekend) has been their inability to hold up inside versus power run games and they lack the size up front to win consistently at the line of scrimmage. (LenDale) White is a north and south runner with good power and he should get a lot of carries if the Titans don’t fall behind early. Denver will likely bring at least one of its safeties in the box in run support while the Broncos’ fast linebackers must get to the edge and contain (Vince) Young on QB scrambles when he tries to get outside. The Broncos will also use a variety of run blitzes to put additional pressure on the Tennessee run game, but the Titans’ offensive line is underrated and they usually do a good job of identifying and holding their blocks.” [ESPN Insider]

“The Broncos started the turnaround last week in Kansas City and if they reel off two or three wins here you can say they turned it around but they were a better team than the Chiefs and they should have won and this will be a bigger test for them. I have great respect for Mike Shanahan and what he does and he’s never going to let his teams ever get out coached, he is never going to let his teams get soundly beaten and I respect that about him and he is one of the biggest advantages that they have but in this game I don’t think he is going to out coach Jeff Fisher, I have equal respect for Jeff Fisher as I have for Mike Shanahan. This is one that if Denver wins it I don’t think Shanahan outcoached Fisher, the Broncos players beat the Titans players.” [John Madden – NBC Sports]

“Though having LenDale White and Chris Brown available to face one of the league’s worst run defenses could be key, the Titans getting Albert Haynesworth back on the field might be more critical for their matchup with the Denver Broncos on Monday night. Known as one of the league’s best run stuffers, Haynesworth missed a game for the first time this season last Sunday and the Titans gave up a season-high 166 rushing yards in a 28-13 loss to Jacksonville.” [Fox Sports]

“The Titans are stopping opponents for no gain or a loss 43.4 percent of the time on first down, and Tennessee rushes the passer too effectively for Denver to leave QB Jay Cutler in too many obvious passing situations. Tennessee is fourth against the run, but the Titans gave up 166 rushing yards last Sunday without DT Albert Haynesworth. The Broncos hope RB Travis Henry is healthy enough split time with rookie Selvin Young.” [Scout.com]

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