The Tennessee Titans enter Sunday's contest with two straight victories, a new quarterback and most importantly, momentum. How do the Bills matchup to the Titans? Let's take an in-depth look at the dwellers of the Music City.

Offense

After going 13-3 just a season ago, the Tennessee Titans have largely struggled on offense without a top defense to back them up like a season ago. The passing game has struggled out of the gates in the first half of the season. The Titans rank 26th, averaging just 165.2 yards per game through the air. It's a stark contrast from the running game, however. Tennessee is 2nd among NFL teams averaging 161 yards per tilt. They score just 18.5 points per game, an amount which ranks them in the bottom fourth of the league. The titans convert 38.1 percent of their chances on third downs.

Quarterback: Kerry Collins took over early in 2008 and led the team to the top AFC record last season. The man he took over for, Vince Young, was labeled as the future after being selected third overall in 2006. After starting the season 0-6, the Titans have turned back to the electric Young. The dual-threat quarterback has been efficient for Tennessee, winning both his games started. He's completed 27-of-42 passes for 297 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He's been bottled up on the ground mostly, but has the legs to make a difference in that respect.

Running Back: This is the position with the biggest story so far in 2009 for Tennessee. Chris Johnson has been absolutely unstoppable this season. Rushing for 959 yards and six touchdowns, averaging an awe-inspiring 6.7 yards per carry. Not only that, but he's a tremendous asset in the passing game. Johnson has brought in 21 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown. Not shockingly, he's the NFL's leading rusher through eight games. LenDale White has taken a lesser role this season. He's got only 198 yards through eight games, averaging 3.5 yards per carry and one touchdown. Chris Johnson must be the focal point for the Bills defense, because recently no team has been able to stop the second year player.

Wide Receiver / Tight End: The same old story for the Titans continues with the receivers not being utilized as much as most teams. Nate Washington leads the team in receptions with 23, accompanied by 202 yards and four touchdowns. Justin Gage has the most receiving yards, but it's unlikely he'll suit up against the Bills due to injury. First round pick and rookie Kenny Britt will likely get more looks in his stead. Britt has 20 catches for 296 yards, and leads the team in yards per catch with a 14.8 average. Bo Scaife is the main tight end option, but backup Alge Crumpler has just as many receptions (18). Rookie Jared Cook has yet to make a real impact at tight end for the team.

Offensive Line: Even with such low statistics in the passing game, it's not the offensive line's fault. The unit led by Pro Bowl left tackle Michael Roos has allowed only seven sacks this season. They've been more impressive in run blocking, allowing Chris Johnson to run all over the NFL this season. If Aaron Schobel can't go on Sunday, backup Ryan Denney will be hard pressed to have any effect against Roos.

Defense

The reason for the precipitous drop for Tennessee has been simple. The defense has taken such a step back that it's now among the worst in the league. The Titans rank dead last in two separate categories. They allow a league worst 29.8 points per game and 278.4 yards passing per contest. The total yardage ranking doesn't get much better. Allowing 390.2 yards per game, Tennessee rates 31st among NFL teams. The run defense has been about average, giving up 111.9 yards per game (18th). Another reason for the decline of the Titans have been a lack of turnovers. In 2008, they had a turnover ratio of plus-14. In 2009, a pedestrian minus-4.

Defensive Line: The biggest loss for any team this offseason was the hit Tennessee took when they couldn't bring back defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. The remaining defensive linemen fell victim to his absence as well. Pro bowl defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch only has one sack through the first half of the season. With Jevon Kearse dealing with injury for much of the season, William Hayes has had to step in. He's got three sacks and a forced fumble this year. The defensive tackles are led by someone that doesn't normally start. Jason Jones leads the position and team with four sacks this season. Incumbents Tony Brown (2 sacks) and Jovan Haye (.5 sacks) make up the rest of the line. Jones against rookie Eric Wood may be a matchup to watch in this game.

Linebackers: The linebacker group is led by the dynamic Keith Bulluck. The former Syracuse grad has been so consistent for so long for the Titans, and is continuing his success with 67 total tackles and an interception this year. He's only behind middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch, who leads the team with 68 tackles. Outside linebacker David Thornton is questionable with a hip injury. If he can't go it will be rookie Gerald McRath out of Southern Mississippi.

Defensive Backs: What was such a proud unit last season has turned in to a mess this season. The lead culprit in those respects have been cornerback Cortland Finnegan. After making the Pro Bowl in 2008, Finnegan has regressed to the point where he's at times a liability when left alone. He does lead the team with three interceptions, however. The other starting cornerback will be Jason McCourty, a serviceable player that has 23 tackles this season. At the safety spots are a good pair of players. Chris Hope patrols the run game from the strong safety position, picking up 48 tackles, a sack and two interceptions. Michael Griffin out of Texas is the team's free safety. He has 42 tackles.

Special Teams

In late October the Titans signed former Virginia running back Alvin Pearman to handle the return duties. He has only one punt return for ten yards, and four kick returns for 93 yards. Rob Bironas is the team's kicker. He's 12-of-14 this season, and 7-for-7 from the range of 40 to 49 yards. Brett Kern is the third punter Tennessee has used this season. He has a 45.6 yard punting average.

History

The Bills are 14-24 all-time against the Tennessee Titans franchise. The last time the two met was in 2006, when Vince Young willed the Titans to a fourth quarter, 30-29 victory. The last Buffalo victory over Tennessee came in 2000, the first week of the season resulting in a 16-13 win.

Injuries

Tennessee: OUT: WR Justin Gage. QUESTIONABLE: CB Nick Harper, DE Jevon Kearse, OT Mike Otto, HB Javon Ringer, OT David Stewart, LB David Thornton. PROBABLE: CB Cortland Finnegan, DE William Hayes, HB LenDale White.

Buffalo: OUT: LB Keith Ellison, CB Terrence McGee, DT Kyle Williams. QUESTIONABLE: OT Jamon Meredith, WR Terrell Owens, WR Roscoe Parrish, DE Aaron Schobel, S Donte Whitner. PROBABLE: S Jairus Byrd, QB Trent Edwards, FB Corey McIntyre, TE Shawn Nelson, S Bryan Scott, OT Jonathan Scott

Pivotal Matchups

HB Chris Johnson vs. Bills' run defense

DT Jason Jones vs. OG Eric Wood

CB Jason McCourty vs. WR Lee Evans

Final Thoughts

After allowing huge rushing performances in the past few weeks, the Buffalo Bills face a very tall test at stopping the NFL's leading rusher. If they allow some big runs to the speedy Chris Johnson and get behind early, it's going to be a very long day for Bills fans.

The present team isn't built to come back from leads, so it will be interesting to see how willing Buffalo is to take shots down the field if they trail early. Tennessee may have the worse record in this one, but on paper, it looks like they should have no problem against the Bills.

E-mail: JoeB@wgr550.com
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