NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans (1-3) return home this week to play their first of two consecutive games at LP Field (capactiy 69,143). Kickoff against the Cleveland Browns (1-2) is scheduled for noon CDT on Sunday, Oct. 5.
THE BROADCAST
This week's game will be televised regionally on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. Andrew Catalon will handle play-by-play duties, while Steve Beuerleinand Steve Tasker will serve as analysts.
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 RETURN HOME
The Titans have played on the road against a 2013 playoff team in three of this season's first four weeks. They began 2014 with a win at Kansas City and then suffered a home-opening loss against Dallas, their one opponent in September that did not make the postseason last year. Then, in Week 3, they lost on the road in Cincinnati.
Last week the Titans traveled to Indianapolis, where Andrew Luck passed for 393 yards and four touchdowns en route to a 41-17 Colts victory. The Colts accumulated 498 net yards on offense and possessed the football for more than 42 minutes, compared to 261 yards and a 17:39 time of possession for the Titans.
Under center for the Titans, Jake Locker was unable to play against the Colts due to a right wrist injury he suffered against the Bengals. Filling in was ninth-year veteran Charlie Whitehurst, who was added via free agency during the offseason and had not started a contest in the regular season since 2011 as a member of the Seattle Seahawks. Against the Colts, Whitehurst was 12-of-23 passing for 177 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He added 40 yards on five rushing attempts.
The Titans now hope to turn around their recent skid with three out of four October games at LP Field, where the team has a record of 72-49 in 16 seasons. After Cleveland, the Titans will host the Jacksonville Jaguars, travel to meet the Washington Redskins, and then play the Houston Texans in Nashville before their Week 9 bye.
THE BROWNSLike the Titans, the Browns are in the their first season with a new head coach at the helm. Mike Pettine was hired in January after one season as defensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills, where he helped his unit finish 10th in total defense in 2013. Prior to his time in Buffalo, Pettine spent four years as the defensive coordinator with the New York Jets.
Pettine's team will be rested as they prepare for the Titans. They enjoyed a bye last week after getting off to a 1-2 start, including losses at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. Their victory came at home in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints.
Browns starting quarterback Brian Hoyer played turnover-free football in the first month of the season, passing for 716 yards and three touchdowns without an interception or fumble.
"A CRUCIAL CATCH" BREAST CANCER AWARENESS GAME
At the game, the Titans will support October's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in a variety of ways, including honoring breast cancer survivor and Titan True member Cheryl Cole as the 12th Titan Sword of Honor recipient. Players and coaches will wear pink equipment and apparel, and game balls with pink ribbon decals will be used.
NURSES FOR NEWBORNS "COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER" DRIVE
Additionally, the Titans are teaming up with Nurses for Newborns Foundation (NFNF) for their annual Community Baby Shower Drive at LP Field. Fans are asked to bring selected baby items to help mothers in need throughout Middle Tennessee and drop their donations off at one of several drop sites outside of the stadium before the game. The items most needed include diapers, wipes, bottles, sippy cups, formula, blankets, electrolyte solution, clothing, infant Tylenol or Motrin, infant thermometers and saline nose drops.
