Editor’s Note: AJ Kaufman’s weekly MNF coverage on MSF is sponsored by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.
Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.
With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.
Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Sadler’s Smokehouse Shaved Pork Loin Pockets
Visit the Sadler’s Smokehouse website: Sadler’s Smokehouse
——————–
Monday Night Football Preview
Tennessee Titans (3-6) at Houston Texans (5-4)
- Titans-Texans Date: Monday, November 23rd
- Titans-Texans Kickoff Time: 8:30
- Titans-Texans TV Network: ESPN
- Titans-Texans Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
- Titans-Texans Point Spread: Texans -4.5
- Titans-Texans Over-Under: 48
- Titans-Texans Spread Pick by Jerod: A few weeks ago this did not look like such a fun game. Now that Houston is a game out of the AFC Wild Card, and Vince Young has made the Titans competitive again, this should be a really entertaining game. First bit of advice: take the over. You’ve got Chris Johnson on the same field as Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. There will be scoring. I don’t think Tennessee is a world beater by any means, but this is still a team that went 13-3 last year and that is playing much better now with Vince Young at QB. And do you really trust Houston yet? I don’t. Titans-Texans free pick: Titans +4.5
Titans-Texans Analysis
After the Titans fell to 0-6, like many football fans, IÂ let out a sigh and lamented, “How could it have gone so wrong, so quickly?”
Three wins later, the answer to what was wrong appears to have been Kerry Collins. During the Titans six-game losing streak, their fans were quick to excuse Collins’ consistently putrid performances as a function of the team’s “lack of weapons.”
With Vince Young now behind the helm however, this “weaponless” offense has begun to produce.
The big difference is that Young, who will carry a very respectable 66% completion percentage and 7.7 yards per attempt, has been making defenses pay for trying to stack the line to stop Chris Johnson. Young is still being handed a conservative playbook, but you can see the coaches slowly starting to increase his responsibilities.
But whether or not Vince Young turns into the next Randall Cunningham, or a pumpkin, the Titans offense is bright for two reasons:Â Johnson and Kenny Britt.
Last year the Titans were panned for taking the little-known Johnson in the first round of the draft, since they already had a running back coming off a 1,000 yard season (Lendale White). Johnson was supposed to be the next Trung Canidate: a burner who probably wouldn’t amount to more than a third down back and return man in the NFL. Well what a difference two years makes; Johnson is now widely regarded as being among the elite RBs in the league.
He is the complete package: a home run threat that has the strength to grind it out between the tackles. He also is adept at picking up the blitz, and is one of the better receiving backs in the NFL. What makes Johnson so scary is that he can still improve his vision and anticipation in finding the holes made by his offensive line.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned Britt, this year’s first round pick for the Titans, has flashed the enormous potential that compelled the Titans to select him. Britt’s rookie season has been a success, as despite being the third receiver for one of the worst passing teams in the NFL, he’s still on pace for over 600 receiving yards.
After solid production last week in place of the injured Justin Gage, I would expect the Titans to increase his opportunities within the offense. And while Britt may not make that much of an impact this year, remember his name, because he may be one of the league’s better receivers for years to come.
For two years now, Texans fans have claimed that “if only Matt Schaub were healthy,” the Texans could be a playoff caliber team. Turns out they were right, as the typically fragile Schaub has remained uncharacteristically healthy through his first nine games and has been putting up MVP caliber statistics. The result is a Texans team on the brink of their first playoff berth in the franchise’s history.
Houston is coming off a heart-breaking three point loss to the Colts in Indianapolis, (missing a 42 yard FG in the waning seconds that would have sent the game to overtime) where they stayed neck and neck with the elite team of the AFC. This wasn’t a fluke either, as the Texans had already beaten the Bengals in Cincy earlier in the year.
Clearly this is now a team that is capable with playing with the big dogs of the NFL. In fact, many see many similarities between the 2009 Texans and the 2008 Arizona Cardinals: a veteran presence at QB, an explosive offense lead by a dominating WR, a murky RB situation, and a defense which is young and extremely athletic.
According to Gary Kubiak however, it is the defense, not the offense, which is the strength of his team. And with 17 take-away through their first nine games, Kubiak may have a point. The success of the defense this year has hinged on the All-Pro caliber play of defensive end Mario Williams and rookie linebacker Brian Cushing. Each will have a vital role in this week’s game.
Cushing will be assigned to stay with Chris Johnson and prevent the big play. Considering that Chris Johnson leads the NFL in runs over 20 yards, this will be no easy task. Williams, on the other hand, will have the responsibility to get to the elusive Vince Young and throw off his rhythm. Though Williams has only four sacks on the year, the former #1 overall pick has demanded constant double teams, and thereby his mere presence on the field makes the rest of the Texans D-line inherently stronger.
On the other hand, the running back situation truly is “murky” with fumble-ridden Steve Slaton more suited to be a third down back and gadget player akin to how Reggie Bush is being utilized on the Saints. Ryan Moats, who once upon a time was supposed to be the next Brian Westbrook (before injuries hit), has looked very good the past couple of weeks, running with speed and power. The Texans should bite the bullet and give him a legitimate chance to claim the starting running back duties.
[Editor's note: Late on Saturday the Texans announced the Steve Slaton will get the starting nod at running back Monday night. It is still unclear, however, exactly what that means. Kubiak has said he is committed to using Slaton, Moats, and goalline line back Chris Brown. We will have to wait and see what the carry split ends up being.]
Titans-Texans Prediction
These teams are close, but right now the Texans are better. Offensively, they will abuse the Titans through the air, and defensively, Houston has players who are athletic enough to contain Chris Johnson.
Hungry for their first playoff appearance in franchise history, and with a fortnight to rest after the Colts loss, the Texans will cover the spread.
I’d avoid the over/under, because whereas I’m fairly confident the Texans will put up points, the Titans may or may not. Vince Young is due for one subpar performance eventually.
Titans-Texans spread pick: Texans -4.5
**********
* – Vince Young photo credit: Ricua Talon
* – Brian Cushing photo credit: AP photo via Yahoo! Sports UK
About AJ Kaufman
