FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

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Prediction: TEN 20, CAR 24

Players to Watch: Chris Johnson

Update: Nate Washington was held out of practices to rest his hip until he had a full day on Friday. He is listed as questionable but is expected to play this week.

The Titans come off a tough loss to the Bengals and that makes three of four of the most recent games losses with only a thankful visit by the Colts to get a win. The Titans are 4-4 and only 1-2 on the road. The Panthers have been on their bye and are only 2-6 but both wins came at home. The Titans are struggling more in recent weeks and the Panthers are looking better and should be rested. This is still a coin flip game.

QUARTERBACK: The Titans are not as pleased with Matt Hasselbeck in recent weeks but he has still scored in every game and maintained decent yardage in most. The loss of Kenny Britt has just never been compensated for and the defenses have figured out the passing game here. This is the first road game since week five and that makes it even tougher to gauge how the Titans will fare. Three games at home haven't been confidence inspiring.

The Panthers have always allowed at least one passing score but never more than two in a game. Hasselbeck should manage good yardage here as have most opponents but more than two scores are unlikely. Bank on just the one if you really need Hasselbeck.

RUNNING BACKS: Chris Johnson rushed 14 times for 64 yards and added 46 yards on four receptions in the loss to the Bengals and apparently he only shows up when everyone has written him off. Johnson had several decent runs that was more akin to previous seasons though not all were and he only was given 14 runs. Johnson has not had more than 14 carries in the last four games but at least he finally outperformed Javon Ringer (4-11). The improved performance was sorely needed though in the end wasn't nearly enough to sway the game.

The Panthers have allowed eight rushing touchdowns to running backs though they are much tougher at home and the Titans roll in with one of the most anemic rushing games anyway. With only two rushing touchdowns on the season as a team, it is hard to rely on a touchdown even though the Panthers have given up 12 scores to the position. It is a coin flip between Johnson and Javon Ringer for the score if it even happens. Expect only moderate yardage here but watch to see if Johnson is really getting his legs back or not.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Nate Washington left the Bengals game with a bruised hip and is considered day-to-day so I will include him and update as warranted. The loss to the Bengals served at least one purpose - both Damian Williams (4-34) and Lavelle Hawkins (5-63) scored a touchdown. Williams had not scored since week five and Hawkins had his first touchdown of the season. On the road it would be more likely for a passing score to end up here though the Titans have been on a downswing for a month and never had a road game during that time.

Williams is more likely to score than the others but the Panthers have only allowed four passing scores to the position. The yardage is going to be moderate at best.

TIGHT ENDS: Jared Cook bruised his knee last week but is expected to play in this game. He has been more used in away games but again - that was a month ago when the Titans were passing better and winning games. Best bet is to leave Cook on your bench.

Pregame Notes: The Panthers have been on bye after a disappointing home loss to the Vikings but at least they have always been competitive at home even when facing the Saints and Packers. At 2-6 this is just a rebuilding season but the Panthers can still surprise and remain at least a dangerous opponent for most. After this game comes a three game road trek that will be taxing since thus far the team has never had more than one road game in a row.

QUARTERBACK: Cam Newton is becoming more and more of a leader on the team and remains the most productive piece of the offense. He has scored via a run in most home games and passed for healthy yardage. He has 11 passing scores to pair with seven rushing touchdowns and produces around 50 rushing yards every week no matter what the passing ends up to be.

Newton is a must start so the matchup matters less but the Titans have been much weaker against the pass in recent weeks.

RUNNING BACKS: Sadly nothing has changed here with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Both have never been more than a marginal fantasy play because of the nearly even split each week and you cannot rely on the receptions for either. Even combined they would only be a "good" back but divided - marginal at best.

The Titans have been decent against the run and there is no reason to expect either back to get more than ten or so carries. It is what it is and that is a waste of two really good backs.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Steve Smith has been golden in all but one home game (the monsoon with the Jags) and is on a string of two games over 100 yards there. Smith remains the only wide receiver that matters since Brandon LaFell churns out 40 yard games every week and Legedu Naanee struggles to get past 20 yards. There is no pretense here - this is all about Smith.

The Titans have been top notch against the position and allowed just five touchdowns but that was two in the most recent game and three in the last road game. Smith is unlikely to have another 100 yard effort this week since no one has broken 83 yards against this secondary but he could still score. He's a must play if only for the one long touchdown that is always a potential every play.

TIGHT ENDS: Greg Olsen has been a big weapon in home games here he has posted three touchdowns in just the last four games and his yardage has been solid. This is a weakness too of the Titans who have allowed three touchdowns to tight ends over just the last two road games. Figure on a good showing by Olsen and hope that Jeremy Shockey doesn't steal the score like he did in the Vikings game.

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