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 ... (link)