NASHVILLE, Tenn. — This week the Tennessee Titans play their second consecutive road game against a reigning division champion, traveling to Indianapolis to face the Colts. Kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium (capacity 63,000) is scheduled for 1 p.m. EDT/noon CDT on Sunday, Sept. 28.
The Titans and Colts own identical 1-2 records heading into the Week 4 matchup, the Titans' first divisional clash of 2014. The clubs are tied for second place in the AFC South, one game behind the Houston Texans (2-1).
Sunday marks the 40th all-time meeting between the two franchises, including the regular season and playoffs. The Colts lead the series 25-14 and can boast a current streak of five consecutive wins against the Titans dating back to 2011.
THE BROADCAST
This week's game will be televised regionally on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. Kevin Harlan will handle play-by-play duties, and Rich Gannon will serve as analyst.
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, analyst Frank Wycheck, gameday host Rhett Bryan and sideline reporter Jonathan Hutton.
TITANS LOOK FOR TURNAROUND
The Titans were on the road in Week 3 to face the defending AFC North Champion Cincinnati Bengals. Despite the Titans winning a number of statistical battles such as total yards (326 to 300), rushing yards (149 to 116) and time of possession (31:16 to 28:44), the Bengals built an early lead and never looked back, winning 33-7.
Titans running back Shonn Greene provided a late touchdown on a one-yard run, capping a rushing day by the Titans that also included a team-high 61 yards on 10 carries by rookie second-round pick Bishop Sankey. Quarterback Jake Locker accounted for 50 rushing yards, followed by Greene's 33.
The Bengals countered with three rushing touchdowns, two by Giovani Bernard and one by Jeremy Hill. Additionally, wide receiver A.J. Green caught six passes for 102 yards.
The Titans suffered their second loss in as many weeks after beginning the campaign with a 26-10 win at Kansas City. In Week 2, they dropped a 26-10 decision at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys.
After their trip to Indianapolis, the Titans will return to LP Field for two straight home games. They face the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 5 and the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 12.
*THE COLTS *
The Titans and Colts battle in a Week 13 contest at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Donn Jones Photography.com, AP)
The Colts are hoping in 2014 for their third consecutive playoff berth and second consecutive AFC South title under head coach Chuck Pagano. Pagano was hired in January 2012, and since that time, the Colts have built a 23-12 record in the regular season.
Like Pagano, quarterback Andrew Luck is in his third season in Indianapolis. He was named to the Pro Bowl after each of his first two campaigns, and in 2013, he surpassed Cam Newton (7,920) for the most passing yards by a quarterback in his first two NFL seasons. Luck became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 8,000 yards in Years 1-2.
Last week the Colts traveled to Jacksonville to face the division-rival Jaguars. They built a 30-0 lead in the first half and eventually prevailed by a final score of 44-17. Luck was 31-of-39 for 370 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 140.4, helping the Colts net 529 yards on offense.
