Buccaneers at Titans
THE STORY: If ever there was a game the Tennessee Titans needed their $50-plus million dollar running back to show up for, this is it. Matt Hasselbeck is expected to start at home Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he’s less than 100 percent after suffering elbow and forearm injuries last week. Thus, Tennessee needs the enigmatic Chris Johnson to rebound from one of the worst games of his career. Johnson’s struggles are a big reason Tennessee has alternated wins with losses over the past four weeks. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are hoping to end a four-game skid. The Tennessee franchise has won seven of the nine meetings, including six straight at home (four in Houston).
TV: FOX, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Titans -3.5, O/U 42.5
ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS (4-6): The young Buccaneers haven’t won since Oct. 16. Tampa Bay did show signs of life, however, in a 35-26 loss to Green Bay last week. Josh Freeman threw for a career-best 342 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions and former Titan LeGarrette Blount had a highlight-reel 54-yard touchdown run in which he shrugged off several defenders. WR Mike Williams also added his first touchdown catch since Week 1. It wasn’t enough to make up for the second-worst defense in the league (398.9 ypg).
ABOUT THE TITANS (5-5): Hasselbeck left last week’s loss 23-17 loss to Atlanta in the third quarter after hitting his arm on a defender’s helmet. An MRI exam revealed no structural damage and the team seems confident he will be able to start. Rookie Jake Locker, the eighth overall pick, would start if Hasselbeck can’t go. Locker nearly rallied the Titans from a 23-3 deficit by throwing a pair of touchdowns to Nate Washington and finished 9 of 19 for 140 yards. Whoever is behind center will need more help from Johnson, who followed up a season-best 130-yard effort by rushing for a mere 13 yards on 12 carries. The former 2,000-yard rusher is averaging a career-low 3.2 yards per carry. As a result, the Titans’ rushing attack is ranked dead last in the NFL (77.3 ypg). The running game may take a bigger hit if RT David Stewart (calf) can't play. He’s questionable, along with former Buccaneers LB Barrett Ruud (groin).
EXTRA POINTS:
1. The Buccaneers have surrendered nine pass plays of at least 40 yards, matching their total from 2010.
2. The Titans have won 18 of 21 against the NFC, including eight of nine at home.
3. If Johnson is going to bounce back, this is the week. Tampa Bay is 26th in the NFL, allowing 133.5 rushing yards per game.