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This week is such a huge week, because this is obviously going to be the best team of the remaining four. The atmosphere is going to be like a playoff game, with San Diego having so much at stake. I think this will be a game where the Titans can really rise up and show everyone what kind of team they really are.
The Chargers have soundly defeated the Titans in their last two contests, and you can let the previous games motivate you to the point that you don't want to let that happen again. On the other hand, you can't overly worry about past performances. Obviously when you've lost, there is extra motivation there because you don't want to repeat that performance and you understand the sense of urgency. But that motivation can hurt you if you let it.
If you focus just on someone like LaDainian Tomlinson the whole time, trying to stop him from repeating past performances, you can hurt yourself. If you try to do too much and not let the game come to you, it could be detrimental. I think that there are enough guys in the locker room that have had that experience that it won't be a problem. Veterans like Keith Bulluck, Kyle Vanden Bosch and David Thornton can control that and approach these types of games in the correct way.
I think the Chargers record of 7-5 is deceiving. They've got a new coach, but they are still the same team that went 14-2 last season. I think things went off kilter for them at the beginning of the season. The Titans are going to have to bring their A-game this weekend because the Chargers have talented people at all positions across the board.
Stopping LT is the key. Hopefully Albert Haynesworth is in there and healthy. He disrupts the game from the start. His push up the middle affects the steps of the running backs. It disrupts the timing of the quarterback because he's thinking about Albert. The adjustments in the game plan that have to be made for Albert open things up Vanden Bosch, Tony Brown, Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy. I think the key is Albert getting that push and fracturing the play from the start. If you can do that, I think you can take care of this offense, but it's not an easy task. It's going to be a tough one for Albert as well, but I haven't seen anyone come close to stopping him when he is on his game.
It's very important for our fans to be giving their best this weekend. I think our fans are very knowledgeable, but they were tentative against Houston. The energy in the stadium wasn't how it usually is because fans knew the Titans had not been playing their best recently. I think this week, with the importance of this game and all the star power coming to town, I think you're going to see LP Field rocking and rolling. The crowd affects the game, and I do not say that lightly. To be so loud that you disrupt the communication, you can't put a value on that. It's such an important piece. That is what real home field advantage is all about.
