NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans (0-1) take their first road trip of the regular season with a visit this week to San Diego. Kickoff against the Chargers (0-0)* at Qualcomm Stadium (capacity 70,000) is scheduled for 3:25 CDT on Sunday, Sept. 16.
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, Dial Global Radio Sports (formerly Westwood One) will broadcast the game to a national radio audience. Wayne Larrivee (play-by-play) and Mark Malone (analyst) have the call.
LAST WEEK AGAINST THE PATRIOTS
The Titans opened their season last week at LP Field with a 34-13 defeat at the hands of the New England Patriots.
Second-year quarterback Jake Locker made his first career start for the Titans in the game and completed 23 of 32 passes for 229 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to Nate Washington. Tennessee's only other scoring plays came on two field goals by Rob Bironas.
Locker and Washington were both forced out of the game on the same play early in the fourth quarter. Washington suffered a leg contusion, and Locker hurt his left (non-throwing) shoulder making a tackle after a fumble. A replay review changed the ruling on the play to an incomplete pass, but the damage was already done to both players. Matt Hasselbeck entered the game at quarterback when Locker exited, but the Titans were unable to close the gap.
Meanwhile, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was 23-of-31 for 236 yards and two touchdowns. He was aided by 125 rushing yards from Stevan Ridley. The Patriots out-gained the Titans 390 yards to 284.
THE CHARGERS
The Chargers are in their sixth season under the leadership of head coach Norv Turner. In 2011, Turner's squad tied for first place in the AFC West with a record of 8-8, but they lost out on the division title to the Denver Broncos based on a tiebreaker. It was the second consecutive season they missed out on the preseason after four consecutive division championships from 2006–2009.
At quarterback for the Chargers is Philip Rivers, now in his ninth season out of N.C. State. Rivers, who passed for 4,624 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2011, is the all-time Chargers leader in career completion percentage and passer rating. San Diego's offensive arsenal also includes running back Ryan Mathews, who rushed for 1,091 yards last season, and tight end Antonio Gates, the franchise's all-time receptions leader.
Defensively, the Chargers field a 3-4 unit that features safety Eric Weddle, linebacker Takeo Spikes, and the team's first-round draft choice, linebacker Melvin Ingram.
San Diego opened its 2012 schedule with a Monday night matchup in Oakland against the Raiders.
* Does not include Monday night game at Oakland on Sept. 10
