This is a crucial game for both teams as both the Packers and Saints are 5-5 on the season.  The Packers will probably come out running the ball with Ryan Grant who finally appears to be 100% healthy.  The Saints allow 111.0 yards rushing per game and 4.3 ypc so there’s no reason to expect Grant not to approach 100 yards on the ground.  Aaron Rodgers will likely also have a good game against a Saints’ defense allowing 235.2 yards passing per game.  Greg Jennings and Donald Driver could both have great games against the Saints on Monday Night.

The Saints would be smart to run a more balanced offense this week to take advantage of the Packers’ weakness in defending the run.  Pierre Thomas could be in line for a huge game if Reggie Bush isn’t ready to go against a Packers’ defense allowing 147.4 yards rushing per game and 4.9 ypc.  Still, the Saints will no doubt challenge the Packers’ pass defense which is allowing only 176.3 yards passing per game and they also have 16 interceptions this season.  Still, the Saints have enough weapons in the passing game for Drew Brees to pick where he wants to throw the ball.

PREDICTION:  NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 34, GREEN BAY PACKERS 33

The Packers have released DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila who is the all-time leading sack man for the team.  Gbaja-Biamila played in 7 games for the Packers this season and he made 9 tackles, had 1/2 a sack and he defensed one pass.  He finishes his career with the Packers having played in 124 games and he compiled 226 tackles, had 74.5 sacks, one interception (he returned it 72 yards for a TD), he forced 17 fumbles and defensed 11 passes.  The Packers will miss Gbaja-Biamila even though he wasn’t having his best season for them.

This should be a very interesting game as the Packers have won their last two games to improve to 4-3 while the Titans are the NFL’s only unbeaten team with a 7-0 record.  Still, the Packers might have a decent chance of pulling the upset if Aaron Rodgers has a big game.  The Packers are well rested after having their bye last week so look for them to try to throw the ball against the Titans to get an early lead and take the Titans’ out of their vaunted running game.  To do that the Packers need to protect Rodgers against a Titans’ defense that has 18 sacks already this season.  Not only that, but the Packers will have to be careful when throwing the ball as the Titans already have 12 interceptions and they have only allowed 3 TD passes.  The Packers might also mix in the running game to keep the Titans honest but Ryan Grant is not having a good season and the Titans only allowed 90.1 yards rushing per game and 3.7 yards per carry.

The Titans will come out running the ball which is what they do best on offense averaging 145.0 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry.  Charles Johnson and LenDale White complement each other very well as Johnson is the speedster and White is the battering ram.  The Packers will likely play man to man in the passing game to bring another player into the box to deal with the running game as they allow 141.9 yards rushing per game and 4.9 ypc.  Kerry Collins has only been sacked 1 time this season so he will likely have time to throw when he drops back.  He still has a very strong arm but the Titans will likely keep the passing game short.

PREDICTION:  TENNESSEE TITANS 20, GREEN BAY PACKERS 14