The Green Bay Packers (11-3) will welcome the Tennessee Titans (10-4) to Lambeau Field on Sunday night for a terrific late-season showdown between Super Bowl contenders in each conference.
Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the Week 16 matchup with the will go down:
Zach Kruse (10-4): Titans 31, Packers 27
We may learn as much about the Packers’ Super Bowl chances on Sunday night as we have in the last month or more. The Titans provide a big test for both sides of the ball, but for different reasons. Can the Packers offense control the game and the ball, pressure the Titans with a bunch of points and avoid a lull? And can the defense survive against a high-scoring offense that can run the ball and hit big plays off play-action? The Packers are going to score, but they really need to start fast and change the game script. The passing game must be dominant, start to finish. I think the Titans end up muscling their way to a win late, mostly because the Packers defense remains a great unknown against this level of competition, but I still think this could be a momentum-building game. The Packers are going to learn a lot about themselves on Sunday night.
Jack Wepfer (11-3): Titans 34, Packers 27
The Titans feature one of the league’s scariest rushing offenses, and while the Packers have bolstered their run defense as late, I’m not yet convinced the numbers are a genuine reflection of the defense’s ability. I see Derrick Henry having a big day; while the Packers compete because of their offensive talent versus a shoddy Titans defense, the bruising nature of this game favors Tennessee.
Marty Kauffman (11-3): Packers 35, Titans 31
Sunday night’s game will be a challenge for both the Packers and Titans as they prepare for the playoffs. Both offenses possess multiple weapons and the potential to score almost every time they touch the ball. I expect this to be a shootout affair, especially from a motivated Packers offense led by Aaron Rodgers.
Anthony Nash (11-3): Packers 30, Titans 27
With the Titans coming to town on Sunday, this will provide the first legitimate playoff test the Packers have faced for a couple of weeks. Despite boasting a great offense, Green Bay’s defense remains questionable at times, and with Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill coming to town, it’ll be a huge test for the unit to see if they can slow down two big threats. The biggest key for the Packers will be remaining consistent on offense, and avoiding the second half lulls they’ve recently struggled with. If they can accomplish this and also force some timely stops on defense, they should be able to come away with a big win.
Nolan Stracke (13-1): Titans 37, Packers 34
The Packers have not faced a team with a winning record since the Colts, whom they lost to after faltering in the second half. Second-half letdowns have been a reoccurring theme for the Packers this season and they’ve been lucky to escape some of those games with a win. A lot of those have been against lesser teams that the Packers let stick around, failing to thrust the proverbial dagger. The Titans are not a lesser team, despite criticism of their defense. Coming into the week, Tennesee’s offense is ranked ahead of Green Bay’s in terms of points and yards. The Titans are a team built to beat the Packers with the way they run the ball and can pick a defense apart with play action. Ryan Tannehill is quietly having another excellent year in Derrick Henry’s shadow. Given Green Bay’s offensive struggles after half time and Tennesse’s offense facing a susceptible Green Bay defense, the Packers may have to wait another week to wrap up the NFC’s No.1 seed.
Joe Kipp (12-2): Packers 31, Titans 28
Sunday night will provide a nice litmus test for where the Packers defense actually stands, particularly when it comes to stopping the run. Statistically, Green Bay’s run defense is much improved from last season. Through 14 games, they allow 110 rushing yards per game (11th). But, as we all know, Derrick Henry is a man among boys. He has an outside shot of reaching 2,000 rushing yards. Holding Henry to 100 yards might be the best-case scenario. If the Packers can get up by double digits and force Tennessee to pass, Green Bay’s rejuvenated pass rush could prevail.
Brandon Carwile (7-3): Packers 28, Titans 24
Everyone is anticipating the matchup of Green Bay’s run defense vs Tennessee running back Derrick Henry. And while it still isn’t great, the Packers ability to defend the run is much better than it was last year. Henry is a high-volume back that is also super productive. Not many teams have been able to stop him this year, but if Green Bay can at least contain him, they will have a chance and should win the game. I don’t consider Ryan Tannehill a top tier quarterback, but he is surrounded by a good supporting cast. However, the Packers defense has been playing well of late, putting together promising performances against the Eagles and Lions. Then, when you look at the Titans defense, you have to wonder how they are going to stop Aaron Rodgers and the rest of this Packers offense. Tennessee’s defense can’t rush the passer and they are just average against the run. I think Green Bay is undoubtedly the better team. They also need this win heading into the playoffs and to keep hold of the No. 1 seed. I think they come prepared and pull out a close one in week 16.
| Writer | Prediction | Score | Record |
| Zach Kruse | Loss | 31-27 | 10-4 |
| Jack Wepfer | Loss | 34-27 | 11-3 |
| Marty Kauffman | Win | 35-31 | 11-3 |
| Anthony Nash | Win | 30-27 | 11-3 |
| Nolan Stracke | Loss | 37-34 | 13-1 |
| Joe Kipp | Win | 31-28 | 12-2 |
| Brandon Carwile | Win | 28-24 | 7-3 |
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