Filed under: Broncos, Colts, Cowboys, Eagles, Jaguars, Giants, Texans, Titans, AFC South
In the third installment of a weekly feature, AOL Fanhouse AFC South blogger John Oehser takes a look at a prime matchup in each game involving an AFC South team in Week 3...Tennessee Titans at New York Giants
Matchup: New York Giants pass rush against Titans quarterback Vince Young.
The Giants' pass rush wasn't near the disruptive force many believed it would be a week ago. Against a Colts offensive line that struggled to protect quarterback Peyton Manning a week before, the Giants managed just one sack and the Colts' offensive line generally controlled the game when Indianapolis had possession. Still, it's a unit that features Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, and this week it will need to contain not only Titans running back Chris Johnson but Young.
The Titans need each member of that duo to produce, and Johnson failed to rush for more than 100 yards last week for the first time in 12 games. But Young is featured in this matchup because he was pulled last week late in a loss to Pittsburgh. Titans coach Jeff Fisher said Young is the short- and long-term starter, but how Young responds to the situation is a major area to watch this week.
Philadelphia Eagles at Jacksonville Jaguars
Matchup: Jaguars defensive front against Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.
There will be plenty of eyes in Jacksonville on Jaguars quarterback David Garrard. He struggled against San Diego last week, and his four interceptions tied a career-high. But the eyes of Jacksonville and much of the league also will be on Vick, who was named the starter over Kevin Kolb this week.
Jacksonville's pass rush showed improvement in the opener, registering three sacks after getting just 14 the season before. But the unit failed to generate significant pressure on Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers this past week. Containing Vick will be difficult because of the threat he represents as a runner, and he also seemed more comfortable and confident in the pocket last week than he once did.
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos
Matchup: Broncos offensive tackles Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris against Colts defensive ends Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney.
Harris missed last week's game with an ankle injury and practiced on a limited basis Wednesday. Limited is no way for a tackle to enter a game against the Colts, and the Broncos are well aware of this. Broncos coach Josh McDaniels this week said Freeney and Mathis have such unusual speed coming off the edge that it makes it essentially impossible to simulate playing Indianapolis in practice.
In an effort to do so, he put the team's two fastest players, cornerback Cassius Vaughn and safety David Bruton, at end and lined them up a yard offsides. Mathis and Freeney each had two sacks against the New York Giants and have three for the season.
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