NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans (0-1) continue the preseason this week as they travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals (1-0). Kickoff at Paul Brown Stadium (capacity 65,515) is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 17.
The matchup is only the second all-time preseason game between the Titans and Bengals. The first was a 2003 meeting in Cincinnati that the Titans won 23-15.
In 72 all-time regular-season meetings between the two long-time AFC Central rivals (1970–2001), the Titans hold a 39-32-1 advantage. The Bengals won the only postseason game in the series, a 1991 Wild Card game.
THE BROADCAST
The game will be televised regionally on the Titans Preseason TV Network, including flagship WKRN-Channel 2 in Nashville. Cory Curtis will handle play-by-play duties, while former Titans running back Eddie George and former Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck will provide analysis. Dawn Davenport will report from the sidelines. A full listing of preseason affiliates is available on page 2 of this release.
The Titans Radio Network, including Nashville flagship 104.5 The Zone, will broadcast the game across the Mid-South with the "Voice of the Titans" Mike Keith, color commentator Frank Wycheck and sideline reporter Cody Allison.
LAST WEEK AGAINST WASHINGTON
The Titans began the preseason at home last week against the Washington Redskins. Running backs Chris Johnson and Shonn Greene each scored a rushing touchdown in the first quarter, but ultimately the Redskins prevailed by a final score of 22-21.
Johnson, who ranks second in the NFL since 2008 with 6,888 rushing yards, took his second carry 58 yards for a score and was given the rest of the game off. On the Titans' next offensive possession, Greene, an unrestricted free agent signee this offseason from the New York Jets, reached the end zone on a 19-yard run.
Quarterback Jake Locker and most of the Titans offensive starters played most of the first half. In five drives, including a nine-play touchdown drive, Locker completed seven of 11 passes for 58 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions and a 77.1 passer rating.
For the first time since being drafted with the eighth overall pick in 2011, Locker began the preseason with a firm hold on Tennessee's starting quarterback job. The third-year pro was a backup behind Matt Hasselbeck as a rookie in 2011, and in 2012, the two battled for the starter's role through the offseason and training camp. Locker's statistics through two campaigns include 211-of-380 passing for 2,718 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, plus two additional rushing touchdowns.
The Titans are in their third preseason under head coach Mike Munchak, now in his 32nd season as a player or coach with the franchise. His total of 15 wins from 2011-12 was the third highest number in team history in a head coach's first two full seasons.
THE BENGALS
The Bengals opened their preseason schedule last week in impressive fashion, winning 34-10 on the road against the defending NFC South Champion Atlanta Falcons.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is entering his 11th season with the club. In 2012, he led the Bengals to a 10-6 finish and an AFC Wild Card berth, marking the third time in four years the Bengals made the postseason.
Cincinnati's quarterback, Andy Dalton, was a member of the same 2011 draft class as Locker. The second-round pick has passed for 47 total touchdowns and more than 7,000 yards in his first two seasons and went to the Pro Bowl after his rookie campaign. His primary target is A.J. Green, Cincinnati's first-round pick in 2011 who already has 162 receptions, 2,407 receiving yards and a pair of Pro Bowls under his belt.
The Bengals return most of their defensive starters from last season's squad that ranked sixth overall (12th in rushing defense, seventh in passing defense), including All-Pro defensive tackle Geno Atkins and defensive end Michael Johnson. The duo combined for 24 sacks in 2012.
