Resurgent CJ ready for NFL’s top run defense

Titans running back Chris Johnson has been the NFL’s leading rusher over the past five weeks, piling up 550 yards on the ground in games against Houston, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Indianapolis.

But the Titans’ resurgent running attack will face a huge challenge this week when Tennessee takes on a Chicago team that is No. 1 against the run – allowing an average of just 78 yards per game on the ground.

“They’re going to have eight guys down there (in the box), and they’re going to commit to that,” Titans coach Mike Munchak said. “They’re going to be hugging the line of scrimmage. When you watch the film, you don’t see it very often in the NFL where eight or nine guys look like they’re up on the line of scrimmage looking like they’re ready to stop the ball.

“They do a great job of getting out of there and recognizing run versus pass. They know the system so well they take more risks with some of those things, and they react quickly to what you’re doing.”

Johnson, who’s averaged 5.6 yards per carry over the past five weeks, said he’s ready for the challenge.

Anytime you run against someone that’s number one, you want to just attack them,” Johnson said. “So it’s a situation where you want to beat those guys. I’ll take that challenge and may the best man win.”

But Johnsono realizes the run game will need to be complemented an effective passing attack.

“Yeah, of course because they like to play a lot of eight men in the box,” Johnson said. “So if the passing game can make some plays and back some of those guys up, we should do that.”

Posted In: Team News

Source: Titans Insider