NASHVILLE, Tenn. — This week the Tennessee Titans (0-5) play their fourth road game in the season’s first six weeks, traveling to New England to play the Patriots (3-2) in an American Football League Legacy Game. Kickoff at Gillette Stadium (capacity 68,756) is scheduled for 3:15 CDT on Sunday, Oct. 18.
The Titans and Patriots were two of the eight charter members of the AFL in 1960. To celebrate the 50th season since the league was formed, select Legacy Games in 2009 will feature teams wearing throwback uniforms. This Sunday’s game is one of four contests during the preseason and regular season the Titans will wear a version of their 1960 AFL Championship team uniforms. The Patriots will appear in replicas of their 1963 uniforms.
THE BROADCAST
The game will be televised regionally on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. Jim Nantz will handle play-by-play duties, while Phil Simms will provide color commentary.
The Titans Radio Network, including Nashville flagship 103.3-WKDF, 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.
LAST WEEK
The Titans hosted the Colts last week in a Sunday night contest and were defeated 31-9. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning passed for 309 yards and three touchdowns in the win. The Titans were able to manage only three field goals by Rob Bironas (49, 43 and 46 yards). It was his second career game with three field goals over 40 yards.
The Titans forced two turnovers, including linebacker Keith Bulluck’s 17th career interception. Ken Amato also recovered a fumble on special teams. However, those largely were offset by two turnovers (one fumble, one interception) by the Titans.
Although running back Chris Johnson was limited to a season-low 34 yards against the Colts, he still ranks third in the NFL with 468 rushing yards through Sunday’s games.
THE PATRIOTS
The Patriots are off to a 3-2 start in 2009 and are in second place in the AFC East prior to the New York Jets’ (3-1) Monday night game against the Miami Dolphins (1-3). Last week they traveled to Denver to face the Broncos and went to overtime before falling by a final score of 20-17.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has returned from a season-ending knee injury in 2008. Through five games, he is fourth in the NFL with 1,433 passing yards. His primary target, wide receiver Randy Moss, ranks fifth in the NFL with 30 receptions and seventh in the league with 367 receiving yards.
The Titans last squared off against the Patriots in the 2006 regular season finale (Dec. 31). Needing a win to clinch a playoff berth, the Titans fell by a final score of 40-23, dropping their record to 8-8 and ending their Wild Card hopes. The win gave the Patriots a 21-16-1 overall advantage in the series.
