NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans (1-2) play their first divisional game of the season this week, traveling to Houston to face the reigning AFC South Champion Houston Texans (3-0). Kickoff at Reliant Stadium (capacity 71,054) is scheduled for noon CDT on Sunday, Sept. 30.
In 20 all-time meetings between the two clubs, the Titans hold a 14-6 advantage, including a 23-22 win in the 2011 regular season finale (Jan. 1). The rivals split the series in each of the last four seasons.
THE BROADCAST
This week's game will be televised regionally on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. Ian Eagle will handle play-by-play duties while Dan Fouts provides analysis.
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, sideline reporter Cody Allison and gameday host Larry Stone.
LAST WEEK
The Titans are coming off their first win of the season after last week's 44-41 overtime victory at LP Field over the Detroit Lions.
In the win, the Titans became the first team in NFL history to score five touchdowns of at least 60 yards in a game. Their touchdowns included Tommie Campbell's 65-yard punt return, Jared Cook's 61-yard reception, Darius Reynaud's 105-yard kickoff return, Nate Washington's 71-yard reception and Alterraun Verner's 72-yard fumble return.
The Titans' three total return touchdowns tied a franchise record. Additionally, the game marked the first time in club history the Titans/Oilers scored two touchdowns on punt returns and/or kickoff returns in the same game.
Meanwhile, Jake Locker earned his first NFL win as a starting quarterback. The second-year signal caller completed 29 of 42 passes for 378 yards and two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 113.0 passer rating. His passing yards were the most by a Titans quarterback since 2009 (387 by Vince Young against Arizona on Nov. 29, 2009), and his 413 combined passing and rushing yards were the most by a Titans player since Billy Volek's 493 yards at Oakland on Dec. 19, 2004.
Rob Bironas booted a 26-yard field goal in overtime—what proved to be his 10th career game-winner—and the defense stopped the Lions on fourth-and-one from the Tennessee seven-yard line to preserve the win.
THE TEXANS
The Texans are attempting to win their second consecutive division title. Their 10-6 record in 2011 edged the second-place Titans, who were 9-7. It marked the Texans' first playoff appearance since entering the league in 2002.
Last week in Denver, Houston built a commanding 20-point lead in the third quarter and hung on to beat the Broncos by a final score of 31-25. Former University of Tennessee star Arian Foster recorded his second consecutive 100-yard rushing effort, and Matt Schaub passed for 290 yards and four touchdowns in the Texans win.
The Texans are 3-0 for the first time in franchise history. Prior to their game in Denver, they began the season with a pair of convincing wins, starting with a 30-10 victory at home over the Miami Dolphins. In their second game, they defeated the Jaguars in Jacksonville 27-7.
