Where: LP Field, Nashville, Tenn. (natural grass, outdoors)
When: 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Texans by 6
Forecast: Temperatures are expected to be in the low 70s, but it could be partly cloudy at game time. There’s a 20 percent chance of rain.
Records: Titans (Overall: 4-7, AFC South: 0-3); Texans (Overall: 10-1, AFC South: 3-0).
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 30, 2012. Texans 38-14; Jan.1, 2012. Titans 23-22. Series record: Titans lead 14-7.
What matters: The Titans’ playoff hopes are on life support after a disappointing loss to the Jaguars last week. Tennessee likely needs to win all five games and receive some help from several teams ahead of them in order to earn an AFC Wild Card spot. The Titans made wholesale changes this week with the dismissal of former offensive coordinator Chris Palmer. Tennessee promoted quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains to offensive coordinator and added former Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore as a consultant.
Who matters: Chris Johnson. Perhaps no player on the Titans’ roster may benefit more from Palmer’s dismissal. Johnson flourished in former offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger’s system, one that was predicated on zone-stretch runs to the outside. Heimerdinger could have an imprint on the new offense, as Loggains’ considers him one of his most influential mentors. Johnson has bounced back from a disappointing year in 2011. With 942 rushing yards, Johnson ranks second in the AFC in rushing.
Key matchups: CBs Jason McCourty, Alterraun Verner and Coty Sensabaugh vs. Andre Johnson. The five-time Pro Bowl receiver earned AFC Player of the Month for November after leading the conference in receptions (35), receiving yards and total yards from scrimmage (614). In consecutive games against the Jaguars and Lions, Johnson recorded 461 receiving yards -- the most by any receiver in back-to-back games in NFL history. The Titans could be taking a risk by playing their safeties 25-30 yards off the line of scrimmage to double Johnson. Texans TEs Owen Daniels and James Casey have combined for 58 catches and 5 TDs. Houston QB Matt Schaub may look for both often on play-action fakes. Johnson’s last 100 yard game against the Texans came in Week 2 of the 2009 season when he had 10 catches for 149 yards and 2 TDs.
Injuries of note: The Texans could be thin at linebacker after several starters missed practice time this week. LB Brian Cushing (knee) is out for the season and LB Brooks Reed (groin) has been ruled out this week. MLB Bradie James (hamstring) has been ruled out, while MLB Tim Dobbins is probable with a shoulder injury. Texans Pro Bowl CB Johnathan Joseph (hamstring) is out, while backup CB Alan Ball (foot) is questionable. LB Colin McCarthy has been ruled out after suffering a concussion last week vs. the Jaguars. Fifth-year LB Tim Shaw is expected to start at middle linebacker in the Titans' base defense.
Inside stuff: With AFC leading rusher Arian Foster and backups Ben Tate and Justin Forsett, the Texans have one of the most complete running games in the league. Houston is fourth in the league on runs behind the right tackle (5.58 yards per carry), according to NFLGSIS.com. The Titans must be aware of backside runs toward the left side of the line. The Texans can pick up yards in bunches on runs that flow to the left before Foster cuts it back to an open gap on the opposite side.
Connections: Titans coach Mike Munchak and offensive line coach Bruce Matthews both enjoyed Hall of Fame careers with the Oilers in the 1980s and early 1990s. Before coming to Nashville, linebackers coach Frank Bush spent two seasons as Texans coach Gary Kubiak’s defensive coordinator (2009-2010). Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips received his first NFL coaching job with the Oilers. Phillips served as the linebackers coach in 1976 and the defensive line coach (1977-1980) under his father Bum.
Stats you should know: Texans OT Duane Brown has emerged as one of the top left tackle’s in the league. In the Thanksgiving Day win over Detroit, Brown only allowed one QB hurry in 51 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. The Titans, meanwhile, recorded a season-high seven sacks, including several when DC Jerry Gray dialed up a blitz. Gray may not need to blitz as much this week. When the Lions pressured Schaub on 20 of 50 dropbacks they only blitzed three times, Pro Football Focus found. Schaub finished with a 60.4 completion percentage but the figure dropped to 50 percent when he was pressured, according to the website.
Record watch: Chris Johnson needs 58 yards to reach the 1,000 yard mark for the fifth time in his career. Johnson can become the only running back in franchise history, besides Eddie George to accomplish the feat.
Looking ahead: The Titans travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts in the last of three straight games against divisional opponents. Tennessee will then host the Jets on Monday Night Football before it takes on the Packers in Green Bay on Dec. 23.
Prediction: Texans 27, Titans 23.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Tennessee Titans, follow Matt Rybaltowski @CBSTitans.
