After three-straight games against NFC North opponents, the Green Bay Packers (10-4) step out of the division and the conference to host the Tennessee Titans (5-9) Sunday at Lambeau Field. A lot of the talk this week has been about the Packers facing a dynamic running back before the season is over, Adrian Peterson. Peterson is 294-yards short of Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record as the Packers and Vikings will meet in week 17. However, Green Bay will have their hands full this week with Tennessee’s talented back Chris Johnson.
The last few seasons have been up-and-down for Johnson. Last year, he had a very public and criticized hold-out that many people blame for his struggles. He tallied just 1047-yards, an okay number but nothing close to what was expected. Johnson is the most recent running back to go over 2000-yards for a season, doing so in 2009.
This year, Johnson has 1159-yards in 14-games, a little closer to the high expectations many have for him. The Packers saw him as a rookie in 2008 when he rushed for 89-yards and gained another 72-yards receiving. And if that wasn’t enough to convince or remind Green Bay of his ability, Monday night Johnson notched a 94-yard touchdown run in the Titan’s win over the NY Jets.
AUDIO: Mike Neal on the key vs Chris Johnson :14
The Packers enter Sunday 14th against the rush. One of the key players in the Packers run defense is B.J Raji who has been coming on of late. Raji knows scheming is part of the equation in stopping talented backs, but a lot of it comes down to just making plays…
AUDIO: B.J Raji says stopping Tennessee’s run game will be a challenge :23
The Packers and Titans will kickoff at Noon Sunday in the Packers regular season home finale.