Where: LP Field, Nashville, Tenn. (natural grass, outdoors)
When: Monday, 8:30 ET, ESPN
Spread: Titans by 1.5
Forecast: Temperatures are expected to be in the high 30s at kickoff with a 10 percent chance of rain.
Records: Titans (4-9, AFC South 0-5); Jets (6-7, AFC East 2-3).
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 27, 2009: Jets 24-17; Nov. 23, 2008: Jets 34-13. Series record: Titans lead series 22-17-1.
What matters: Pride. The Titans are building for the future after being eliminated from playoff contention last week. After narrowly missing the playoffs in 2011, the Titans looked to improve on a 9-7 record in coach Mike Munchak’s second season. Now, the Titans have a goal of winning their final three games. It could save Munchak’s job.
Who matters: QB Jake Locker. The second-year quarterback has struggled during a three-game losing streak. Locker has seven turnovers in the last two games, including a critical interception in last week’s loss to Indianapolis that was returned for a touchdown by Colts DB Cassius Vaughn. The first-year starter needs a strong end to the season to boost his confidence for 2013. Locker will see rushers from a variety of angles in Rex Ryan’s complex zone blitzing defense. He also must contend with one of the top corners in the NFL in Jets DB Antonio Cromartie.
Key matchups: WR Kenny Britt vs. Cromartie; LG Fernando Velasco and C Kevin Matthews vs. Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson. Britt is coming off a stellar effort against the Colts when he easily gained separation downfield and finished with a season-high 143 receiving yards. Cromartie, though, will be physical with Britt at the line of scrimmage. The Jets’ corner also won’t be fooled by Britt on double moves. Wilkerson has quietly emerged as one of the top run-stuffing defensive ends in the league. In a Week 11 win over St. Louis, Wilkerson easily shed a block from Robert Turner and made a diving stop on Rams RB Daryl Richardson. The play served as a microcosm for Wilkerson’s season. Velasco and Matthews must neutralize Wilkerson with combination blocks.
Injuries of note: LB Colin McCarthy (concussion), WR Damian Williams (hamstring) and DE Scott Solomon (knee) have been ruled out. TE Jared Cook was placed on IR on Monday after suffering a torn rotator cuff against the Colts. Jets WR Stephen Hill (knee) and TE Dustin Keller (ankle) have been listed as doubtful. The loss of Hill could be offset by the addition of WR Braylon Edwards.
Inside stuff: More than almost any team in the league, the Jets’ employ an unorthodox package with seven defensive backs on the field at once. Safeties Yeremiah Bell and LaRon Landry, as well as CB Kyle Wilson can be used to blitz Locker. The Jets’ defensive backs are interchangeable. Ryan might drop Wilson to safety and move Bell to corner before the snap in an effort to fool Locker. On the other side, Titans LB Akeem Ayers has flourished as a rusher when the Titans employ a 3-3-5 alignment. Ayers has 4.0 sacks and 8.0 passes defensed.
Connections: Ryan’s father Buddy served as the Houston Oilers’ defensive coordinator in 1993 in Munchak’s final season as a player. DC Jerry Gray coached Landry for three seasons in Washington when he served as the Redskins’ secondary coach.
Stats you should know: Despite Wilkerson’s presence, the Jets rank 30th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per play (4.8). The Jets are particularly susceptible to runs up the middle where they rank 30th in the league (5.0 ypc), according to NFLGSIS.com. Locker has a QB rating of 93.8 or more in his two wins this season. In his six losses he has eight interceptions and just six touchdowns.
Record watch: K Rob Bironas needs one point to record his sixth consecutive 100-point season. Bironas can tie Al Del Greco for the most consecutive 100-point seasons in franchise history. Britt needs three receptions to set a career-high for catches in a season with 43.
Looking ahead: The Titans go on the road for the final time in 2012 when they travel to Green Bay to face the Packers. Tennessee then concludes its season with a home matchup against Jacksonville in Week 17.
Prediction: Jets 20, Titans 17
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Tennessee Titans, follow Matt Rybaltowski @CBSTitans.
