NASHVILLE, Tenn. --The Tennessee Titans (3-4) look for their third consecutive win this week as they host the AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts (3-3). Kickoff at LP Field (capacity 69,143) is scheduled for noon CT on Sunday, Oct. 28.
THE BROADCAST
This week's game will be televised regionally on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. Bill Macatee will handle play-by-play duties while Steve Tasker 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 earned their second win in a row last week by defeating the Bills in a dramatic 35-34 finish. Matt Hasselbeck, starting at quarterback for the third straight week due to Jake Locker's left (non-throwing) shoulder injury, completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Nate Washington with a minute to play in regulation to deliver the win.
Also in the win, running back Chris Johnson enjoyed one of the finest performances of his five-year career, rushing for 195 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 18 carries (10.8 avg.), including an 83-yard touchdown run. It was Johnson's fourth career touchdown of 80 yards or longer—the most in NFL history. His 195 yards made up the third-highest total of his career and tied for 11th in Oilers/Titans history.
Hasselbeck was an efficient 22-of-33 for 205 yards and did not throw an interception. He engineered the 22nd game-winning drive of his career and the second in as many weeks.
As a team, the Titans converted on nine of 14 third downs (64 percent) and were perfect with four touchdowns on four trips inside the red zone. They were plus-two in turnover differential, turning a pair of takeaways into 14 points. Derrick Morgan's fumble recovery (forced by Kamerion Wimbley) led to Jamie Harper's second one-yard touchdown run of the day, and Jason McCourty's late-game interception sparked the game-winning touchdown drive.
THE COLTS
The Colts are embarking on a new era in 2012 following significant changes during the offseason. In January, Ryan Grigson, the former director of college scouting and player personnel with the Eagles, was hired as the new general manager, and Chuck Pagano, previously the defensive coordinator for the Ravens, was brought in as the new head coach to replace Jim Caldwell. Pagano's defense employs a 3-4 scheme rather than the 4-3 system Indianapolis has run in the past.
On March 7, quarterback Peyton Manning was released by the Colts after spending 14 seasons with the club. Then, in late April, the Colts used the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft on Stanford signal caller Andrew Luck.
Indianapolis was dealt a significant hardship less than a month into the season. On Oct. 1, it was announced that Pagano would be kept from his duties for several weeks to undergo treatment for leukemia. In his stead, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is serving as the interim head coach.
Through six games of his rookie season, Luck has completed 134 of 250 passes for 1,674 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. Last week against the Cleveland Browns, he rushed for two scores to help give the Colts a 17-13 win.
TITANS FOUNDATION COAT DRIVE
Prior to the game, fans are encouraged to participate in the annual Titans Foundation Coat Drive. New and used coats can be dropped off at one of several collection sites around LP Field. The donated coats subsequently will be delivered to Middle Tennessee non-profit agencies.
