Bills vs. Titans: Resurgent Chris Johnson Keys Tennessee

by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2011 9:01 AM EST in Buffalo Bills News

It's been a rough year in the court of public opinion for Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson. After a lengthy pre-season holdout yielded a six-year, $55 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed (makes the Ryan Fitzpatrick extension look pretty tame, no?), Johnson has been held under 60 rushing yards in a whopping seven games this season - and under 30 yards four times.

Three weeks ago, Johnson carried the ball 27 times for 130 yards and a score in a road win over Carolina (No. 28 run defense in the NFL). Then he carried the ball 12 times for 13 yards in a close road loss the next week to Atlanta (No. 2 run defense in the NFL). He followed that up with a 23-carry, 190-yard performance last week against Tampa Bay (No. 30 run defense).

Which Johnson can the Buffalo Bills and their No. 21-ranked run defense expect this weekend? Clearly, the Bills are much closer to the Tampa Bay and Carolina echelon of run defense than they are the Atlanta echelon, so the matchup appears to favor the resurgent (if still shaky) Johnson. One thing is clear: if the Bills want to end their four-game losing streak, they'll need to keep Johnson quiet and put the game into the hands of Matt Hasselbeck and the Titans' passing attack.

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No. 21-ranked run defense

Is it sad that this statement sounds good to me?

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Dec 2, 2011 9:49 AM EST reply actions

We’ve been down so long it looks like up.

Improvement has been in center run defense, big credit to Dareus. Bills are still vulnerable outside the tackles, edge defense is still shoddy.

by Rick A on Dec 2, 2011 9:58 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, Nix is working inside-out it seems. That hopefully means dedicating some early draft picks to OLBs and CBs.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Dec 2, 2011 11:22 AM EST up reply actions

If we play much 3-4 with Dareus as the NT, it could be a long and painful day for Amano.
He’s the weak point on their line. Hoping we see another game from Dareus like we did against the Redskins.

by zipper on Dec 2, 2011 10:17 AM EST reply actions

I watched the Bucs-Titans game last week, Johnson had a big game but the Bucs were playing without both starting DT’s on a wet field. They also have LB problems once Johnson broke the line he was getting yards by the hand full. The Bucs Blount rushed for over 100 yards against the Titans defense so maybe this will be a break-out game for Spiller….

"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."

Woody Hayes / Thee Ohio State

by Goose22 on Dec 2, 2011 11:07 AM EST reply actions

I'm hopeful.

I feel the Bills chances to contain CJ will improve greatly if they can get some big hits on him early in the game (I’m looking at you A. Williams and D. Searcy). He has been shying away from contact a LOT this season for whatever reason. Maybe he’s over that with some confidence from a great game last week. Hopefully, he’s not truly over his funk until next week!

Where u guys going to be send. You will not need prayers you do not need your soul. You will be in a place not even the. Undead. Walk.

-abayarde

by APhoenixDestiny on Dec 2, 2011 5:42 PM EST reply actions

That was an incredibly stupid contract that the Titans gave him.

For a RB.
Ridiculous.

That being said. Which Johnson can the Buffalo Bills and their No. 21-ranked run defense expect this weekend?
That would be the Johnson screaming around the end for 190 yards unless we figure out how to set the edge.
Which we failed to do last week.

"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Dec 2, 2011 6:42 PM EST reply actions