49ers-Titans battle will be decided on the ground

If the San Francisco 49ers stand any chance against the Tennessee Titans this Sunday, it all has to come down to the team's run defense. The 49ers have only allowed 84.9 rushing yards per game this year, second best in the league. The run defense has kept running backs like Steven Jackson, Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner and Joseph Addai in check from having breakout games.

Titans running back Chris Johnson just had his breakout game against the Jaguars last Sunday. Johnson racked up 228 yards on the ground with touchdown runs of 52 and 89 yards. Johnson leads the league in rushing with 824 yards.

Stopping Johnson isn't going to be an easy task. Despite Tennessee's 0-6 start, their win on Sunday showed signs of their offense coming back to life. Johnson's breakaway speed provided an open field for quarterback Vince Young. Young was able to spread the ball, going 15-18 for 125 yards (with no interceptions or sacks).

The 49ers have to apply the pressure to the offensive line that has regained some of its swagger from last year. And for Johnson, the defense knows that if they can prevent the big run, they can force Young to pass the ball more than what he is used to all season.

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