NASHVILLE – The Titans face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night at Lambeau Field.
Here's a quick look at the Lions:
Record: 11-3.
Last game: Packers 24, Panthers 16.
Points for/against: 31.0/24.2.
NFL RANKINGS
Offense: 4th overall, 390.0 ypg (8th rushing, 8th passing).
Defense: 8th overall, 337.7 (11th rushing, 9th passing).
TEAM LEADERS
Head coach: Matt LaFleur.
Offense:
QB: Aaron Rodgers (332-of-477, 3,828 yards, 40 TDs, 4 INTs, 118.0).
Top RB: Aaron Jones (180 carries, 968 yards, 8 TDs).
Top WR: Davante Adams (98 catches, 1,186 yards, 14 TDs).
Top TE: Robert Tonyan (49 catches, 551 yards, 10 TDs).
Defense:
Sacks: OLB Za'Darius Smith (11.5).
Leading tackler: LB Christian Kirksey (70).
Interceptions: S Darnell Savage (3).
Take/Give: +5 (14/9).
Kicker: Mason Crosby (16-of-16 FGs, 50-0f-53 PATs).
Punter: JK Scott 45.6 (36.8).
Last meeting: November 13, 2016: Titans 47, Packers 25.
Of note:
-Packers head coach Matt LaFleur served as offensive coordinator for the Titans in 2018.
-Packers defensive backs coach Jerry Gray served as the Oilers/Titans defensive quality control coach (1997-98) and as the defensive backs coach (1999-2000). He returned in 2011 and served as the defensive coordinator until 2013.
-Packers special teams quality control coach Rayna Stewart served as defensive quality control coach with the Titans from 2009-11.
-Packers linebacker Oren Burks played at Vanderbilt from 2014-17.
-Packers guard Lucas Patrick went to Brentwood High School.
-Packers guard Jon Runyan's father, Jon, played offensive tackle for the Oilers/Titans from 1996-99.
Injury Report
-The Packers release their final Injury Report on Friday and it looked like this: S Will Redmond (concussion) and TE Jace Sternberger (concussion/illness) did not practice and are OUT. RB Jamaal Williams (quad) did not practice and is doubtful.
Titans HC Mike Vrabel on …
(on the uniqueness of coaching against someone who worked under him in Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur)
That's what happens when you're in the league long enough. There's a lot of movement. It'll be great to see Matt (LaFleur) and obviously it's a great challenge for us to go up there and they've done a fantastic job with that football team.
(on the Packers run game benefitting from their pass game)
They've done a great job in running the football. (Aaron) Jones, obviously the dynamic that he brings to be able to run a multitude of different schemes. They can run it from under center. They run in the zone, from the gun, wide zone, inside zone, some gap scheme plays. It will be a huge challenge for us to try to tackle him as well as the RPOs or the release that Aaron (Rodgers) is able to throw off of those runs.
(on what stands out about Packers wide receiver Davante Adams)
He's got play strength. He's got speed. He's got a great ability to run routes at different speeds and set up routes. The relationship and the coordination that he has with Aaron (Rodgers) is something that's pretty unique. It seems like they're able to convert routes or be in spots were Aaron (Rodgers) knows he's going to be based on coverage or a look. He's going to be a huge challenge to be able to not only cover him but tackle him after he catches it.
(on Matt LaFleur finding success early in Green Bay)
I think Matt (LaFleur) had a plan. Matt (LaFleur)'s learned a lot from everywhere he's been, the stops along the way. Respect his journey, his ability to take jobs and move on with a family, I think that's something that's always difficult and something that guys always think about. He was able to be a quality control and move on and learn from everybody along the way. I think that's a strength to be able to do that. When your system, when you come into a new place and you can win and have success, it automatically makes buy-in easier.
(on accounting for Packers linebacker Za'Darius Smith on every snap)
They move him around. You're going have to be able to identify what front they're in. They do a great job of playing multiple fronts, mixing guys around, and he certainly has an ability to disrupt and to get into the pocket, whether that be from the edge or inside.
(on how to disrupt Aaron Rodgers when he isn't easy to confuse)
It's the same for everybody. You're going to have to try to force him into longer situations. You're going to have to be able to try to get guys around him and force him a little bit off the spot. He throws it so well on the move. He gets ground. He drifts. He's able to throw off his back foot. He's able to throw off balance. He's sound in coverage and going to try to find ways to force him to progress through the routes.
(on the play 'not being over until it's over' with quarterback Aaron Rodgers)
He's going to find ways to try to keep you off balance whether that be with cadence, get you to jump offsides, and take shots, and take advantage of free plays, and such a command of what they're doing offensively. He does keep plays alive and he's willing to run it a lot more down in the red zone. Scored last week and he'll scramble as much as he has to.
(on the challenges Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers presents in Week 16)
Got to continue to improve in that area, and a lot of areas. Going against probably the best team we've faced all year, a team that doesn't lose in December up at Lambeau. The quarterback has thrown 40 touchdowns and four interceptions. They rarely turn it over, so huge challenge.
