Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis. (natural grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Spread: Packers by 12.5
Forecast: Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 25 but could be as low as 16. It could be cloudy but precipitation is not expected.
Records: Titans (5-9; AFC South 0-5); Packers (10-4; NFC North 5-0)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Nov. 2, 2008: Titans 19-16 (OT); Oct. 11, 2004: Packers 48-27. Series record: Titans lead 6-4.
What matters: A win over the Packers in the frigid confines of Lambeau Field would arguably be the Titans’ best victory under coach Mike Munchak. After a slow start, defensive coordinator Jerry Gray’s defense has made significant strides. In the past six weeks, the Titans lead the league in sacks per game (3.40), rank third in overall defense (286.0 yards per game) and are fourth in scoring defense (17.6 ppg). Of the Titans’ past five opponents, three are ranked 27th or worse in total offense. Only the Texans are ranked in the top six. The Packers have been ranked in the top 10 in offense in each of the past four seasons. But this year Green Bay is No. 13 in passing offense and No. 17 overall. The Packers are still considered to have one of the league's most potent offenses.
Who matters: WR Kenny Britt. A week after finishing with season-highs in catches (eight) and receiving yards (143), Britt had one catch for seven yards in Monday’s win over the Jets. The fourth-year receiver continues to regain his explosiveness after undergoing three knee surgeries in the past 15 months. Britt lauded Adrian Peterson this week for his dedication in recovering from a serious knee injury suffered in 2011. Britt added, though, that he has had more to overcome with the quick stopping and planting required out of his position. Still, Britt needs just two catches against the Packers to set a career-high. A strong end to the season could provide Britt with a boatload of confidence for 2013.
Key matchups: LT Michael Roos and LG Mitch Petrus vs. Packers LB Clay Matthews; CB Coty Sensabaugh vs. Packers WR Randall Cobb. Despite missing four games, Matthews is tied for seventh in the NFL in sacks with 11. Matthews had two sacks in his return last week against the Bears -- both on stunts up the middle. If Petrus receives the start at left guard, he must prevent Matthews from getting inside against double teams. Petrus and OL Kyle DeVan have split reps with the first-team offensive line in practice. Sensabaugh, a fourth-round pick, has replaced Ryan Mouton as the team’s nickel back. The matchup against Cobb in the slot could be his most challenging of the season. With injuries to Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings, Cobb has become Aaron Rodgers’ most dependable receiver. In the Packers’ last two games, Cobb has 13 catches for 217 yards.
Injuries of note: WR Kendall Wright was held out of practice this week and is listed as questionable. Wright, the Titans’ first-round pick, said he suffered a cracked rib in the win over the Jets. OL Kevin Matthews has been ruled out with a high-ankle sprain. LB Colin McCarthy could play for the first time since suffering a concussion against the Jaguars on Nov. 25. McCarthy is listed as questionable. WR Damian Williams (hamstring) is also questionable. The third-year receiver has missed the last two games.
Inside Stuff: A number of teams have dropped eight men into a zone against Rodgers with reasonable success but don’t expect the Titans to do so. Gray indicated the tactic gives the mobile quarterback too much time to move out of the pocket and throw on the run. Instead, the Titans could use LB Akeem Ayers as a spy. When Ayers assumed a similar role against the Steelers in Week 6, Ben Roethlisberger rushed for just 14 yards.
Connections: Matthews’ uncle Bruce is in his second season as the Titans’ offensive line coach. Mike Reinfeldt, the Titans’ executive vice president/chief operating officer, served as the Packers’ chief financial officer from 1991-93 and vice president of administration from 1994-98. Reinfeldt is close friends with Packers general manager Ted Thompson. The executives worked together in Green Bay and Seattle.
Stats you should know: It could be easier said than done, but the Titans should try to find ways to emulate the blanket coverage employed by the Giants in a 38-10 Week 12 win over Green Bay. More than almost any quarterback in the league, Rodgers likes to get rid of the ball quickly on short routes. Tight coverage by the Giants forced five sacks. On each sack it took Rodgers an average of 3.55 seconds to release the ball, according to Pro Football Focus. Until that point, Rodgers’ average release time was nearly a full second less, according to the site. The extra time could give the Titans front four a better chance of establishing pressure.
Record watch: Chris Johnson needs 41 yards for his fourth career season with at least 1,200 rushing yards. WR Nate Washington needs 11 receiving yards to become the 13th player in franchise history to reach 3,000 in his career with the club.
Looking ahead: The Titans conclude their season at home against Jacksonville. Tennessee looks to avoid an 0-6 record in AFC South games.
Prediction: Packers 23, Titans 17.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Tennessee Titans, follow Matt Rybaltowski @CBSTitans.
