1. Can Johnson be silenced two weeks in a row?
How the defense bounces back from its demoralizing loss last Sunday to the Indianapolis Colts will go a long way in determining if this unit — particularly the front seven — can regain its opening-game form.
Tennessee is a dominant rushing team, led by last season’s leading rusher Chris Johnson, so the onus is on Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, Osi Umenyiora and the rest to slow down the speedy back. The Giants have allowed 250 rushing yards so far (24th in the league), a number Johnson could surpass on his own. Tennessee is averaging 125 rushing yards per game, 20 more than the league average.
2. Will the Giants’ O-line get it together?
Tackles David Diehl and Kareem McKenzie were abused last week and looked pedestrian. They get another defense with pass-rushing speedsters, led by rookie stud Derrick Morgan.
A first-round pick out of Georgia Tech, Morgan has recorded a sack in each of the first two games and would become the first Titan ever to record a sack in his first three games if he finds a way to Eli Manning, who had hardly any protection in Week 2.
Tennessee is top in the league in yards allowed per game (206) and yards allowed per play (3.4).
3. Which VY?will show up this time?
If New York is able to corral Johnson, they’ll still have to contend with elusive quarterback Vince Young.
The fifth-year pro is a dual-threat passer and runner who seemed to have turned the corner in his rocky career. The last time these teams faced in 2006, Young was a rookie and had his coming out party at the Giants’ expense. He engineered a 21-point comeback victory and frustrated the New York defense with 249 passing yards and a 107.9 rating. VY was pulled last week, so if the Giants rattle him early, that might be the game.
