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| The Titans will look to improve to 7-5 when they travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills on Sunday. |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans (6-5) travel to Ralph Wilson Stadium (capacity 73,967) this week to face the Buffalo Bills (5-6). Kickoff is scheduled for noon CST on Sunday, Dec. 4.
This week marks the 43rd all-time meeting in the historic rivalry between the Titans and Bills, including playoffs. The two clubs are still owned by the visionaries who founded their teams and helped launch the American Football League in 1960, Titans owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. and the Bills' Ralph Wilson, Jr. They are the two enduring members of the original eight AFL owners commonly known as the "Foolish Club."
Including playoffs, the Titans are 26-16 all-time against the Bills, including a current three-game winning streak and wins in six of the last seven outings, dating back to 1995.
The franchises have produced two of the NFL's most memorable playoff contests. In a 1992 Wild Card game in Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Bills trailed the Oilers 35-3 in the third quarter but rallied with 35 consecutive points en route to a 41-38 overtime win. Then, in the 1999 Wild Card round, the Titans came out on top with an unlikely finish. In a play known as the "Music City Miracle," Kevin Dyson returned a Frank Wycheck lateral on a kickoff return 75 yards for a touchdown with only 16 seconds left in the game, giving Tennessee a 22-16 win.
THE BROADCAST
This week's game will be televised regionally on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. Spero Dedes will handle play-by-play duties, while Steve Beuerlein will provide 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
The Titans picked up their sixth win of the season in dramatic fashion last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck completed his 15th touchdown pass of the season, finding wide receiver Damian Williams in the back of the end zone for the go-ahead score in their eventual 23-17 win.
Additionally, running back Chris Johnson produced one of the best games of his career, gaining 190 yards on 23 carries (8.3 avg.). It was the third-highest rushing yardage total in his four-year career, and the performance ranks 13th in franchise history. His 190 yards also make up the fourth-highest total in the NFL this season.
Defensively, the Titans forced five turnovers in the cold, rainy conditions at LP Field, including an interception by rookie middle linebacker Colin McCarthy and four fumble recoveries. Defensive end Dave Ball notched both of the Titans' sacks in the win.
THE BILLS
Like the Titans, the Bills are trying to maintain their playoff hopes with five games left on the schedule. They started the season 5-2 before dropping their last four games, including last week's 28-24 loss at the New York Jets. The Bills have prospered at home this season, going 4-1 at Ralph Wilson Stadium versus 1-5 on the road.
Buffalo has been adversely affected by recent injuries. They have 13 players on injured reserve, perhaps none more significant than star running back Fred Jackson, who was placed on injured reserve last week with a leg injury. In the 10 games prior to Jackson being lost for the remainder of the season, Jackson ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards (934) and second in scrimmage yards (1,376).
The 2011 campaign is Chan Gailey's second season as head coach of the Bills. His three decades of coaching experience also includes stints as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys (1998-99) and Georgia Tech (2002-07).
