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The matchup: Packers vs. Titans
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Line: Opened Packers -2, movement to Packers -3
Game Total: 49.5
The Green Bay Packers (4-4) are set to make a rare trip to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans (4-5). It will be the first meeting since a 55-7 blowout win by Green Bay at Lambeau Field in 2012.
The Packers have dropped two in a row and find themselves in a dogfight for the NFC North division. The Titans have dropped two of their last three, but have been competitive in both losses and blown chances to win in each.
The Packers aren't playing well, but they still have Aaron Rodgers -- who is playing at a high level once again. Something to note here is the Titans' struggles with top tier quarterbacks. Their only wins have come against Blake Bortles, Cody Kessler, Ryan Tannehill and Matthew Stafford. Outside of Stafford, Tennessee hasn't been able to slow upper echelon signal callers.
Just last week, Rivers and the Chargers killed the Titans through the air early before Melvin Gordon and the rushing attack took over. A few weeks back, Andrew Luck threw for 353 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Titans' inconsistent pass rush and struggling secondary are problematic with Aaron Rodgers coming to town.
DeMarco Murray has been limited in practice with a toe injury. Murray has been the catalyst of the offense so far and is clearly not 100 percent. He's coming off one of his worst showings last week, going for 51 yards on 14 carries (3.6 ypc). Derrick Henry was banged up with a calf injury last week, but appears ready to roll on Sunday. They'll face a very real Packers rush defense which ranks second in the league. Mariota is going to have to get things done through the air.
Mariota is playing at a high level right now, but turnovers have proven to be costly. His three turnovers last week took the game off the rails for Tennessee. This has happened multiple times this season, including twice at home. Tennessee probably should have beaten the Vikings and Colts, but late turnovers doomed their efforts. The Titans won't be able to afford any costly mistakes on Sunday if they want to win this one.
Prediction
I'm not expecting a blowout, but I think the Titans will struggle to keep the Packers out of the endzone. They have too many issues in the secondary right now. Mariota is going to need to be flawless. They'll be competitive, but ultimately fall short.
Packers 31, Titans 23
Take the Packers -3.