 |
| Running back Chris Johnson and the Titans square off in a key division battle against the Houston Texans Sunday at LP Field. |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With first place in the AFC South at stake, the Titans host the Houston Texans this week at LP Field (capacity 69,143). Kickoff is scheduled for noon CDT on Sunday, Oct. 23.
• Download Game Release (PDF)
Ten seasons into the rivalry, this week's matchup is the first-ever meeting between the Titans and Texans with sole possession of first place on the line. The Titans, who have played one fewer game than the Texans, currently sit atop the division standings at 3-2. Tennessee was off last week with a bye. The Texans are 3-3 after dropping their last two games to the Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens. The Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) and Indianapolis Colts (0-6) reside in third and fourth place in the division, respectively.
THE BROADCAST
This week's game will be televised regionally on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. Marv Albert will handle play-by-play duties, while Rich Gannon 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.
TITANS LOOK TO BUILD ON 3-2 START
Before their bye, the Titans had a three-game winning streak snapped with a 38-17 defeat at Pittsburgh. They previously defeated the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns in succession.
A stout defense and exemplary quarterback play contributed heavily to Tennessee's successful start under first-year head coach Mike Munchak. The defense did not allow more than 16 points in any game until the trip to Pittsburgh, and the unit currently ranks sixth in the NFL in points allowed (18.8 per game) and eighth in total yards allowed per contest (325.3). Meanwhile, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has enjoyed one of the best starts of his 13-year career. His total of 1,414 passing yards represents a career high through the first five games of a season, and his nine touchdown passes ties his 2006 career high through five games. Hasselbeck ranks sixth in the NFL and second in the AFC behind only Tom Brady with a passer rating of 95.9.
On the opposite sideline, Texans quarterback Matt Schaub is once again among the league leaders in several passing categories. He has passed for 1,597 yards (seventh in the NFL) and 10 touchdowns (seventh), while compiling a 90.7 passer rating (11th). The Texans also field a two-pronged rushing attack. Last year's NFL rushing king, former Tennessee Volunteer Arian Foster, has rushed for 305 yards, while second-year running back Ben Tate leads the club with 362 rushing yards.
Head coach Gary Kubiak's squad recently has battled through a pair of notable injuries to marquee players. Wide receiver Andre Johnson has been inactive the last two weeks with a hamstring injury, and outside linebacker Mario Williams was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending pectoral injury.
USED CELL PHONE DRIVE/BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Fans are encouraged to bring their old cellular phones to the Titans-Texans game and donate them to the Used Cell Phone Drive. The collection will benefit Cell Phones for Soldiers, a non-profit that collects old cell phones, sells them for recycling and then uses the income to purchase prepaid calling cards for U.S. servicemen and women stationed overseas.
Additionally, the Titans will support October's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a variety of activities, including honoring fullback Ahmard Hall's mother, Nancy, a breast cancer survivor, as the 12th Titan; turning LP Field pink with posters for fans to hold up simultaneously; and partnering with Saint Thomas Health Systems to honor 12 breast cancer survivors who will lead the Titans on the field before the game. Additionally, players and coaches will wear pink equipment and apparel, while game balls with pink ribbon decals will be used for every down. The first 18,000 fans through the gates also will receiving pink ribbons.
