With two struggling young quarterbacks opposing each other, expect the running games to be the difference in Monday night's Tennessee-Denver matchup; the host Broncos are -1.5 on WagerWeb.com.
Second-year Titans QB Vince Young is coming off a career-high 257 yards passing in last Sunday's loss to Jacksonville, when he rushed for his highest total (52 yards) since Week 2, and also threw his first touchdown pass since Week 3. But for the season, he has thrown only four TD passes compared to 10 interceptions. And the former Texas star has rushed for only 217 yards and two touchdowns in 2007, compared to 552 yards and seven scores in his rookie year.
However, the Broncos know he's dangerous.
"I call him the new era of Michael Vick," Denver cornerback Dre' Bly said. "He's the closest thing in this league to Vick, and everything in that offense begins and ends with Vince Young."
Despite Young's uneven play, the Titans are 6-3 and look to remain a game behind the Colts and tied with Jacksonville in the very competitive AFC South.
Tennessee is averaging 139.8 rushing yards to rank fourth in the league, and faces a Broncos defense tonight that ranks second-to-last in run defense (151.0) and that gives up 4.8 yards per carry, tied with Oakland for worst in the NFL.
"We keep working on it and hopefully we can continue to improve," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "If you don't get good stopping the run, you're in for a long day, I don't care who you are."
In addition, starting running back LenDale White will have some help tonight with the expected return of Chris Brown from an injury. White had three straight 100-yard games going into last week, but was held to 12 yards on eight carries before leaving early in the third quarter with a knee injury. Brown has missed the last four games with an ankle problem, but both he and White expect to play.Denver's second-year QB, Jay Cutler, has been better than Young this season, but his team is only 4-5. Cutler has been inconsistent as well, though, passing for 1,882 yards with nine touchdown tosses and nine interceptions.
Denver's running game hadn't been helping Cutler much, but Selvin Young gave the Broncos their first 100-yard rusher and first rushing TD since Week 4 in last week's win against the Chiefs.
Young has started two of the last three games in place of Travis Henry, who was the league's leading rusher in September but has been bothered by bruised ribs and a sore knee. Henry is questionable tonight.
Tennessee, meanwhile, is fourth in the NFL in rushing defense but was gouged last week against Jacksonville without star defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.
Haynesworth missed the 28-13 loss to the Jaguars, and it showed: Tennessee gave up a season-high 166 rushing yards. Before that, the Titans had not allowed 100 yards rushing in a game all season.
The sore right hamstring that kept Haynesworth sidelined is still a problem, and he didn't practice this week. He will be a game-time decision (as will top cornerback Nick Harper).
"I feel 100 percent better than I did last week," Haynesworth said. "It's improving daily. I haven't felt this good in a while. It also gives me a chance to heal other injuries I had."
The lowdown: The Broncos won 37-16 in Nashville on Christmas night in 2004 in the only game between these teams since the Titans franchise moved to Tennessee in 1997. ... Denver had its best rushing defensive effort of the season last week, holding the Chiefs to 67 yards. ... Broncos receiver Javon Walker (knee) won't play Monday. ... The Broncos are 10-4 (.714) at home on Monday nights under Shanahan, but this game will come down to Haynesworth. If he plays, the Titans win.
If he doesn't, go with Denver.
Betting trends
The Titans are 4-4 ATS.
The Titans are 2-1 ATS away.
The Titans are 3-1 ATS as the underdog.
The Titans are 2-1 ATS as an away underdog.
The Broncos are 2-7 ATS.
The Broncos are 1-4 ATS at home.
The Broncos are 0-5 ATS as the favorite. The Broncos are 0-4 ATS as a home favorite.
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