Two of the form teams in the NFL meet in the first live game on Sunday evening. Carolina Panthers have made their best start ever going 5-0 including three victories at home. Meanwhile, Tennessee Titans are 4-2 with Steve McNair in arguably the best form of his life. Not surprisingly it is the home team who are made favourites to remain unbeaten. On the handicap coupon the visitors are given between 1.5 and 2.5 points start.
What also makes this such a great matchup is that the much talked about Panthers running game goes up against a strong run defence. In addition the Titans number two ranked offence takes on the defence giving up the league’s second fewest points. Lastly in the red zone Tennessee have the sixth most productive offence, while Carolina has the stingiest red zone defence. As you can see there is plenty to get excited about for this game.
There is no doubt the passing game has been a major factor in why Tennessee have been so effective this year. With running back Eddie George averaging a paltry 2.8 yards per carry, it is just as well Steve McNair is finding his receivers with alarming regularity. Encouragingly for the Titans, one of Carolina's biggest weakness this season has been defending the pass, allowing 290 yards per game to rank 23rd in the NFL.
Offensively for Carolina it has been mostly been about their running game. Running back Stephen Davis has started the season in explosive fashion and even when he missed the final quarter against the Colts, his replacement DeShaun Foster came in and did an equally good job to help his side secure the overtime victory. Stopping the run is paramount for Tennessee and so expect them to line up several players close to the ball and attempt to force Jake Delhomme into making plays.
Although Carolina are off to their best start in franchise history with good defence and a strong running game, I expect Tennessee to inflict their first defeat in 2003. The reason being Steve McNair is playing as well as ever before and so long as he is given enough protection will again be highly productive through the air. Should Carolina fall behind they would have to partially abandon their run orientated attack and that is when the Titans would stamp their authority on proceedings.
One final note of encouragement in recommending Tennessee is that since 1995 their record on the road stands at 38-29. Playing in unfamiliar surroundings doesn’t faze the Titans.
http://www.readabet.com/index.php/home/article/2595
What also makes this such a great matchup is that the much talked about Panthers running game goes up against a strong run defence. In addition the Titans number two ranked offence takes on the defence giving up the league’s second fewest points. Lastly in the red zone Tennessee have the sixth most productive offence, while Carolina has the stingiest red zone defence. As you can see there is plenty to get excited about for this game.
There is no doubt the passing game has been a major factor in why Tennessee have been so effective this year. With running back Eddie George averaging a paltry 2.8 yards per carry, it is just as well Steve McNair is finding his receivers with alarming regularity. Encouragingly for the Titans, one of Carolina's biggest weakness this season has been defending the pass, allowing 290 yards per game to rank 23rd in the NFL.
Offensively for Carolina it has been mostly been about their running game. Running back Stephen Davis has started the season in explosive fashion and even when he missed the final quarter against the Colts, his replacement DeShaun Foster came in and did an equally good job to help his side secure the overtime victory. Stopping the run is paramount for Tennessee and so expect them to line up several players close to the ball and attempt to force Jake Delhomme into making plays.
Although Carolina are off to their best start in franchise history with good defence and a strong running game, I expect Tennessee to inflict their first defeat in 2003. The reason being Steve McNair is playing as well as ever before and so long as he is given enough protection will again be highly productive through the air. Should Carolina fall behind they would have to partially abandon their run orientated attack and that is when the Titans would stamp their authority on proceedings.
One final note of encouragement in recommending Tennessee is that since 1995 their record on the road stands at 38-29. Playing in unfamiliar surroundings doesn’t faze the Titans.
http://www.readabet.com/index.php/home/article/2595
