NASHVILLE, Tenn. --The Tennessee Titans (3-1) play their third consecutive home game this week, welcoming the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) to LP Field (capacity 69,143). Kickoff is scheduled for noon CDT on Sunday, Oct. 6.
THE BROADCAST
This week's game will be televised regionally on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. Kevin Harlanwill handle play-by-play duties while Solomon Wilcots 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, analyst Frank Wycheck, sideline reporter Cody Allison and gameday host Larry Stone.
LAST WEEK AGAINST THE JETS
The Titans hosted the New York Jets last week and won 38-13. They scored 28 points off turnovers, converting all four of the Jets' giveaways into touchdowns. Cornerback Alterraun Verner led the charge for the defense, collecting a pair of interceptions and a recovering a fumble. The unit also totaled five sacks, including two by defensive end Ropati Pitoitua, and defensive tackle Karl Klug turned his sack into a forced fumble and recovery in the end zone for a score.
However, the celebration in Music City was muted by an injury to starting quarterback Jake Locker. In the third quarter of perhaps his best NFL performance to date, the third-year signal caller was knocked to the ground by Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson and linebacker Quinton Coples. He lay on the turf until he was lifted to a cart to take him off the field, diagnosed with a right hip injury. Prior to his early exit, Locker completed 18 of 24 passes for 149 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a career-high passer rating of 130.0.
Veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick is Locker's replacement. Now playing in his ninth NFL campaign, the former undrafted free agent from Harvard was signed as a free agent early in the offseason following a four-year stint in Buffalo. With 75 games of experience and 68 starts, Fitzpatrick has passed for 14,444 yards and 93 touchdowns during his time with the St. Louis Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Bills and Titans.
*THE CHIEFS *
A week after the 2012 season finale, Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt announced Andy Reid as the team's new head coach, launching an offseason of transition that has paid off through the first quarter of the regular season. Reid arrived in Kansas City after 14 seasons as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. He led the Eagles to six division titles, five NFC Championship appearances and one Super Bowl appearance. A week later, longtime Green Bay Packers personnel executive John Dorsey was hired as Kansas City's new general manager.
One of the first big decisions made by Dorsey and Reid was to trade for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith. Smith, the first overall draft pick in 2005, spent eight seasons with the 49ers and passed for more than 14,000 yards there. He was the starter during a run to the NFC Championship in 2011 and was also part of San Francisco's Super Bowl run in 2012.
Smith joined a Chiefs roster that already featured several prominent and talented players. They had six players named to the Pro Bowl in 2012: linebackers Tamba Hali, Justin Houston and Derrick Johnson; safety Eric Berry; running back Jamaal Charles; and punter Dustin Colquitt.
Last week, the Chiefs won their fourth consecutive game to begin the season, toppling the New York Giants at Arrowhead Stadium by a lopsided final score of 31-7. Smith completed three touchdown passes, and Dexter McCluster added an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown. The Chiefs are in a first-place tie in the AFC West with the 4-0 Denver Broncos.
"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 tight end Craig Stevens'cousin and breast cancer survivor, Kim Johnson, as the honorary 12th Titan. Players and coaches will wear pink equipment and apparel, and game balls with pink ribbon decals will be used.
Fans also can purchase large, pink-ribbon signs that will line the outside of LP Field to recognize someone they know affected by breast cancer. The money raised will go to the Saint Thomas "OUR MISSION IN MOTION" Mobile Mammography unit and the Susan G. Komen Nashville Chapter. For more information, fans should go to www.komennashville.org/titanscrucialcatch.
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.
