NASHVILLE, Tenn.
Russell Okung Seahawks Jersey . -- A two-game
skid has whittled away any margin for error the Green Bay Packers had in the NFC
North, and now they hit the road for three straight games starting in
Tennessee.Its a crucial moment for a franchise that has reached the playoffs
each of the past seven seasons.Every game from this point forward in November
and December are very important games for us, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers
said. Tough stretch right now with three on the road back-to-back-to-back, but
weve just got to take it one at a time and figure out a way to put a better
performance on the field on Sunday.This marks Green Bays first three-game road
trip since 2012 , and the timing couldnt be worse for a franchise that has lost
three of four by a combined nine points. The tight losses have stuck Green Bay
(4-4) behind both Minnesota and Detroit in the NFC North after being stunned
31-26 at Lambeau Field by Indianapolis last week.The Titans (4-5) find
themselves trying to keep pace in the AFC South. They need one more win to match
the victory total for the past two seasons combined and are coming off a 43-35
loss in San Diego , where Marcus Mariota outdueled Phillip Rivers by throwing
for 313 yards and three touchdowns while running for another score.The
second-year quarterback also cost Tennessee 17 points off three turnovers, and
Mariota knows he has to protect the ball better.Weve continued to preach
finishing some of these games, but you know what, thats part of it, Mariota
said. Thats part of how we have to learn, how were going to get better.
Eventually, well turn these around and be on the right side of these things.Here
are some things to know about the Packers and Titans:ENERGIZED PACK?: Coach Mike
McCarthy says his Packers energy level wont be an issue in Tennessee. Like the
presidential election, energy became a buzzword immediately after last weeks
loss to Indianapolis after the Packers looked lethargic early. But McCarthy says
it was more an issue about not being detailed and consistent enough in adverse
situations. Whatever the root of the issues, Green Bay doesnt want to spend the
whole game again playing catch-up.PROTECT THE BALL: Turnovers have been the
Titans biggest issue in losses this season, something Mariota had improved on in
helping Tennessee win three of four in October. Over his past three games at
home, Mariota has thrown seven touchdowns with only one interception. Even with
two interceptions in San Diego, Mariota ranks fourth in the NFL with a 111.8
passer rating over the past five games.Rodgers says hes been a fan of Mariota
since the fellow Pac-12 quarterback was at Oregon. He can do it all on the
field, Rodgers said. Hes extremely gifted athletically, and hes doing a good job
of throwing it efficiently. Im definitely impressed with him with the way he
comes off and the way hes playing.TO THE QB: The Packers pass rush has slowed
down the last few games. Green Bay managed to sack Andrew Luck just twice last
week despite the Colts porous offensive line. The front seven has been missing
linebacker Clay Matthews the last couple weeks because of a sore hamstring, and
its unclear when he might return.Mariota is less experienced than Luck, though
he can be just as elusive. Tennessee has allowed Mariota to be sacked only 12
times this season and not at all the past two games, a huge improvement from
last year, when the Titans surrendered a league-worst 54 sacks.RUN TEST: DeMarco
Murray is second in the NFL with 807 yards rushing, and the Titans rank third in
the NFL, averaging 144.2 yards per game. That will be seriously tested against
Green Bay, the leagues stingiest run defense. The Packers are allowing 75.8
yards per game, and Tennessee could be without Heisman Trophy winner Derrick
Henry. Murrays backup strained his calf last week.WATCH RODGERS: With Eddie Lacy
recovering from ankle surgery and on injured reserve, Rodgers is carrying the
load as Green Bays leading rusher. The two-time MVP is averaging 5.9 yards per
carry and his 199 yards rushing are second only to Lacy. But Titans coach Mike
Mularkey said Green Bay has been very creative, finding ways to run with a
variety of players such as Ty Montgomery.---AP Sports Writer Genaro C. Armas
contributed to this report.---AP NFL website:
www.pro32.ap.org and
http://twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Teresa M. Walker at
www.twitter.com/teresamwalker Christine Michael Seahawks Jersey . How great
will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in
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. "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The
Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer
with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the
Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in
the AL wild-card race.Ahead of Burnley’s trip to Preston on Friday, Adam Bate
caught up with Clarets midfielder David Jones to find out what the return to his
old club means to him and why he’s on course for a fourth promotion to the
Premier League… What makes someone an expert in promotion? Ian Holloway and Mick
McCarthy have each taken teams to the Premier League on two occasions. Neil
Warnock has led three clubs to the top flight. But theres a player who can beat
that record. David Jones is looking to win his fourth promotion to the Premier
League.The Burnley midfielder isnt about to trumpet his case. He has not
masterminded the clubs campaign, that honour belongs to manager Sean Dyche. But
the 31-year-old is clearly doing something right. He knows what a
promotion-winning team looks like and fortunately for fans of the Clarets, he
recognises a lot of those qualities in the Burnley dressing room. Burnleys team
spirit was in evidence following Michael Keanes late equaliser The more
experienced you are helps, Jones tells Sky Sports. Ive just been lucky to play
for some good managers and some good teams. Theres no secret but the common
theme Ive experienced in good teams in the Championship is the spirit in the
dressing room. It counts for so much and is probably one of the most important
ingredients in this league.That spirit was in evidence on Tuesday when the top
two met at Turf Moor. With Burnley on the brink of a damaging defeat to
Middlesbrough, Michael Keane forced home a late equaliser. The draw means
Burnley remain within two points of the leaders but are now level on points with
third-placed Brighton. With just three games to go, it was not a game to
lose.After Middlesbrough scored, we put them under lots of pressure and luckily
managed to put one away, says Jones. Theyre one of our rivals at the top so it
was important not to let them gain any more ground on us, The goal means Burnley
still havent lost in the league since Boxing Day. It was important to keep our
unbeaten run going too, he adds.Jones was on the bench against Boro, only the
fourth Championship game hes missed all season. Id have much rather been out on
the pitch, but the manager changed a couple of things, he says. Im just looking
forward to the next big game because they come around very quickly. Particularly
given that the next game is on Friday night against Preston. Jones celebrating a
goal for Preston as a young loanee in 2005 This is the club at which Jones made
his league debut on loan from Manchester United in 2005. From training with the
likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes, he was thrust into a battle for
points under the management of Billy Davies and alongside experienced
Championship performers such as Graham Alexander and Chris Lucketti.I can
remember really wanting to go out on loan because you could stagnate a bit in
the reserves and not get the first-team experience you need to become savvy as a
professional, says Jones. You need to learn how to play winning football in a
business where results mean everything. Preston gave me the chance to do that.It
was a really enjoyable time and Ive got very fond memories of the fans and the
people there. You learn a lot at a club like United when youre coming through
the ranks about how to become a professional. But I also learnt a lot at Preston
under Billy Davies. There were also a lot of experienced players in that
dressing room and you had to learn quickly. Jones training with Ruud van
Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes at Manchester United A lot is expected from players
who arrive from Manchester United in terms of their talent and ability and you
have to demonstrate that. You come in from the comfort zone at United to a
different style of play and a new way of playing. It was different to what I was
used to so it was about trying to be effective. Whatever the style, you have to
affect the game.Jones has been doing that this season. Hes provided six assists
and thanks to his role as a dead-ball specialist has created more chances (53)
than any other Burnley player. A pass completion rate of 84.4 per cent - also a
Burnley best - reflects the importance of his sensible use of the ball in
midfield. Midfield influence Player Pass accuracy Player Chances created David
Jones 84.
Terrelle Pryor Seahawks Jersey. 4% David
Jones 53 Dean Marney 80.8% Scott Arfield 43 Michael Keane 79.3% Sam Vokes 37
Scott Arfield 74.8% George Boyd 34 Its a responsibility he relishes, but the
entire team has had to embrace the increased responsibility that comes with
expectation. When Burnley were promoted in 2013/14 it was regarded as an
unlikely success. Back in the Championship with a bigger budget, the demands are
greater. It is different, admits Jones. Weve evolved as a club.There are a lot
of things going on off the pitch that are moving the club forward. For example,
the new training ground. The expectations from the fans and the town have
increased and with the outside factors such as the media, theres more expected
of us now. That brings different pressures and a different challenge. Highlights
from Burnleys 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough on Tuesday night But for all the
change, some things remain. Burnley retained Dyche in the wake of relegation
from the Premier League and the decision has been justified. You can see in the
way the club operates that its a reflection of our managers personality, says
Jones. Its taken time to develop that but hes managed to stamp that all over the
team and all over the club.Dyche has got the big decisions right. The signing of
Joey Barton might have been perceived as a gamble but its been one that has paid
off. Meanwhile, replacing top scorer Danny Ings was always likely to be crucial
but the signing of Andre Gray has been a triumph - as shown by his 22 goals,
culminating in the Championship player of the year award.Andre has done
fantastically well, says Jones. Hes scored goals wherever hes been and hes been
vitally important for us. We needed to replace Danny Ings and while theyre
different players - theyre not like for like - its still been effective in the
way that we play. Now its just about finishing the job and Jones reluctantly
admits that they are well aware that Middlesbrough and Brighton must play each
other on the final day of the season. It means that three more wins will
guarantee promotion.It is hard not to look at other teams, he says. But as
players we can only really focus on our performances. If we can take care of
that then Im sure itll be positive for us at the end of the season. There are
three big cup finals for us to concentrate on now.And what would it mean to
Jones? Itd be fantastic to do it again. Thats the aim. We all want to challenge
ourselves at that level again. Thats what the club is geared towards this
season. With promotion number four in reach, clearly its what David Jones is
geared towards too. Also See: Keane strike earns Burnley draw Gray named Player
of the Year
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