MONDAY NIGHT MATCHUP (WEEK 8)

Monday Night Matchup
Week 8...

Indianapolis Colts

@

Tennessee Titans

Clash of the Titans!

The Week 8 Monday Night matchup promises to be nothing less than a clash of thunderous proportions. When the season began prognosticators would have bet good money that the Indy Colts would be leading the way in the AFC South with the Titans likely in tow bringing up the rear of the division. Such has not been the case this season as the Titans have established one of the more dominant defenses in the league, led by defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (6 sacks on the season). This season the Titans are off to a fast start leading the division at 6-0. This is the first time these two team have met this season, with the Colts looking up at the division leaders with a 3-3 record.

The Colts are going to have to rely heavily on the arm of Peyton Manning tonight to have a chance in this matchup. The Cotls offensive line will be tested heavily facing a Titan's defense that will be minus Kyle Vanden Bosch. The Colts need to start fast and keep the pace moving quickly which won't be easy. The Colts have had trouble running the ball this season (ranked 32nd) and Peyton lives off the play action. If Indianapolis can not get the ground game out of first, Manning could see heavy pressure all night. When he has time, Manning has one of the scariest arsenals of pass-catching weapons at his disposal. Protection will be at a premium and could ultimately decide how this game will play out.

The Titans will like to slow things down with one of the leagues best ground games and backfield tandems with rookie RB Chris Johnson and RB LanDale White. The two backs are averaging over 140 yards on the ground combined. White leads the NFL with 8 rushing touchdowns, while the Johnson has chipped in three of his own to go with 549 total yards rushing (8th in the NFL). If the Titans can get the ball rolling on the ground and jump out front, their defense will be primed to takeover this Monday night affair. The Titans defense is ranked 3rd overall (4th against the Pass, 10th against the Run) and if they turn the dogs loose they can put tremendous pressure on opposing quarterbacks and get after it (18 sacks, 10 picks).

The game has the sounds and making of a one-sided affair, but one thing for certain looking at this classic matchup of NFL Giants, there will only be one left standing when the dust settles!

Monday Night's Game Notes:
Tennessee: The Titans offense leads the NFL with 11 rushing touchdowns, the passing game will see the return of WRs Justin Gage and Justin McCareins, the running game is averaging 34.3 rushing attempts and 154.5 yards rushing per game. The defense will be without DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, the pass defense is ranked 4th and tied 3rd with 10 picks this season. The secondary is only allowing a 57.2 passer rating, best in the NFL, they have only allowed one pass play of 40 yards or more, and their 56 first downs allowed by pass ranks best in the AFC.

Key Injuires: DT Tony Brown (ankle) probable and CB Nicholas Harper (knee) probable.
Indianapolis: The Colts offense has sputtered the last few weeks led by Manning with an uncharacteristic 80.0 passer rating. The offense ranks last in rushing averaging only 70 yards per game and their 3.3 yards per carry is worst in the league. The defense has not fared much better allowing 153 yards rushing per game and 4.4 yards per carry.

Key Injuries: DB Kelvin Hayden (knee) OUT, RB Joseph Addai (hamstring) OUT, DB Bob Sanders (knee) OUT, and DB Marlin Jackson (shoulder) questionable.


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