NASHVILLE, Tenn. — This week the Tennessee Titans (4-8) play their last of three consecutive games against AFC South opponents, as they travel to play the Indianapolis Colts (8-4). Kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium (capacity 63,000) is scheduled for noon CT on Sunday, Dec. 9.
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.
Additionally, Sports USA will broadcast the game to a national radio audience. Larry Kahn (play-by-play), Ross Tucker (analyst) and Troy West (sideline reporter) have the call.
THE REMATCH
The Titans and Colts played their first of two annual contests on Oct. 28 at LP Field. In a hotly-contested game, the Colts won by a final score of 19-13 when Andrew Luck connected with running back Vick Ballard on a 16-yard touchdown pass on the opening possession of overtime.
In the loss, running back Chris Johnson rushed for 99 yards on 21 carries, while Matt Hasselbeck, starting at quarterback for the fourth straight week due to Jake Locker's left (non-throwing) shoulder injury, was an efficient 22-of-29 for 236 yards, no interceptions and a 23-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Kendall Wright.
On defense, the Titans got an interception and a blocked field goal from safety Michael Griffin. Additionally, they sacked Luck twice.
LAST WEEK
The Titans hosted the Houston Texans last week at LP Field and were unable to keep pace with the AFC South division leaders, falling 24-10.
In the loss, Locker passed for 309 yards and a 34-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Britt. The Titans gained more total yards (354 to 332) and first downs (17 to 16) than the Texans. The Texans were routinely rebuffed by the Titans defense in the second half, as their longest drive in the third or fourth quarter was only 29 yards.
However, the Texans intercepted three passes and recovered three fumbles, while themselves playing a turnover-free game. Their six sacks of Locker were the most given up by the Titans in a game since 2005.
THE COLTS
The Colts are having success this season despite undergoing 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.
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 Luck.
Then, 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 12 games of his rookie season, Luck has completed 279 of 503 passes for 3,596 yards, 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions (76.1 passer rating). Last week at Detroit, he completed a 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Donnie Avery as time expired, giving the Colts a 35-33 victory over the Lions. It was the Colts' sixth win in their last seven games.
