The Tennessee Titans are going to be looking to really kick someone’s butt after losing by a combined score of 79-24 in their last two games.  The Colts got ripped 62-7 last weekend in New Orleans by the Saints last weekend, so they can’t be thinking too well about themselves either.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Titans have the ball:  The Titans are going to look to get Chris Johnson going this weekend against a Colts’ D that is allowing 150.9 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry.  If Johnson doesn’t get going in this game, it might be time to start to panic about the running game.  The Titans’ O-Line has blocked really well for Matt Hasselbeck so far this year, as Titans’ QBs have only been sacked 9 times this year.  That being said, Colts’ DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are still elite pass rushers.  If Hasselbeck has time to throw the ball, he’s going to have a big game against the Colts’, as opposing QBs have a stunning 113.0 QB Rating against them!

When the Colts have the ball:  The Colts have been throwing the ball like they still think they have Peyton Manning at QB.  Curtis Painter is no Peyton Manning.  Painter puts the ball on the ground as he has lost 3 fumbles already this year.  The Colts are only going to have one of their usual starting O-Linemen playing in this game (center Jeff Saturday), so look for the Titans to blitz a lot more than usual tomorrow.  The Titans are going to have to give safety help over the top for whichever corner is covering Pierre Garcon, who has emerged as Painter’s favorite target.  The front seven will likely have to deal with stopping RBs Joseph Addai, Delone Carter and Donald Brown in this game.

PREDICTION:  TITANS 31, COLTS  13

The Titans didn’t show up yesterday for their biggest game of the year, showing an utter lack of heart….and it showed on the scoreboard.  Matt Hasselbeck was awful in this game as he completed 14 of 30 passes for 104 yards with 1 TD pass and 2 INTs (Texans’ CB Brice McCain returned one of the INTs 38 yards for a TD).  Jake Locker made a brief appearance in which he completed his only pass attempt and it was good for 12 yards.  Javon Ringer led the way on the ground for the Titans in this game with 3 carries for 31 yards (10.3 ypc).  Chris Johnson had another rough game as he rushed for 18 yards on 10 carries (1.8 ypc) and he also caught 6 passes for 27 yards (4.5 avg) in this game.  WR Lavelle Hawkins (3 rec, 24 yards) and TE Jared Cook (2 rec, 22 yards, TD) led the way in the passing game for the Titans yesterday.  The Titans finished up with 53 yards rushing on 15 carries (3.5 ypc) and they also completed 15 of 31 passes (48.4%) for 95 yards as they only had possession of the ball for 22:02.

The Titans were awful on D in this game.  CB Jason McCourty (12 tackles), safety Jordan Babineaux (11 tackles), LB Barrett Ruud (10 tackles) and safety Michael Griffin (9 tackles) led the way for the Titans on D in this game.  The Texans finished up with 222 yards rushing on 47 carries (4.7 ypc) and they also completed 18 of 23 passes (78.3%) for 296 yards.  The Titans are now 3-3 on the year.

The Titans looked like the Browns did last week against them, today in Pittsburgh…and that’s not a good thing!  Matt Hasselbeck was very busy today as he completed 29 of 49 passes for 262 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 INT.  Chris Johnson led the way on the ground for the Titans today with 51 yards rushing on 14 carries (3.6 ypc) with 1 TD run and he also caught 3 passes for 14 yards (4.7 avg).  Javon Ringer pitched in with 3 carries for 12 yards (4.0 ypc) and he also caught 6 passes for 16 yards (2.7 avg) in this game.  WRs Nate Washington (5 rec, 69 yards) and Damian Williams (6 rec, 66 yards, TD) led the way for the Titans in the passing game today.  TE Jared Cook (4 rec, 59 yards) and WR Lavelle Hawkins (4 rec, 33 yards) pitched for the Titans.  The Titans finished up with 66 yards rushing on 18 carries (3.7 ypc) and they also completed 29 of 49 passes (59.2%) for 240 yards as they had possession of the ball for 27:38.

The defense didn’t look too good today for the Titans.  CB Jason McCourty (14 tackles, 1 pass defensed), LB Barrett Ruud (10 tackles) and safety Jordan Babineaux (10 tackles) led the way for the Titans’ on D today.  CB Cortland Finnegan pitched in with 3 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception.  The Steelers rushed for 174 yards on 28 carries (6.2 ypc) and they also completed 25 of 35 passes (71.4%) for 174 yards in this game.  The Titans are now 3-2 on the year.

The Titans won a very easy game today as the Browns didn’t look very motivated.  Matt Hasselbeck was sharp as he completed 10 of 20 passes for 220 yards with 3 TD passes and 1 INT.  He also carried the ball 1 time for 5 yards.  Jake Locker made his NFL debut late in the 4th quarter and he threw 1 incomplete pass.  Chris Johnson finally got his act together today as he rushed for 101 yards on 23 carries (4.4 ypc).  He also caught 2 passes for 11 yards (5.5 avg) in this game.  TE Jared Cook led the way for the Titans in the passing game today with 2 grabs for 92 yards (46.5 avg) with 1 TD grab.  WR Nate Washington (2 rec, 62 yards), TE Craig Stevens (1 rec, 12 yards, TD) and WR Damian Williams (1 rec, 4 yards, TD) also had solid games for the Titans today.  The Titans rushed for 112 yards on 29 carries (3.9 ypc) and they also completed 10 of 21 passes (47.6%) for 220 yards as they had possession of the ball for 23:07.

The Titans gave up a lot of yards today as they were bending but not breaking in this game.  CBs Cortland Finnegan (11 tackles and 1 pass defensed) and Jason McCourty (10 tackles and 1 pass defensed) led the way for the Titans’ D today.  LBs Will Witherspoon (8 tackles, 2 passes defensed and 1 QB hit) and Barrett Ruud (7 tackles and 1 tackle for a loss) were also very active today for the Titans.  Safety Jordan Babineaux pitched in with 5 tackles, 1 pass defensed and an interception that  he returned 97 yards for a TD!  The Browns finished up with 84 yards rushing on 22 carries (3.8 ypc) and they also completed 40 of 61 passes (66.6%) for 332 yards in this game.  The Titans are now 3-1 on the year.

The Tennessee Titans played excellent defense yesterday and Matt Hasselbeck would not let them lose this game, period.  Hasselbeck completed 27 of 36 passes for 311 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 INTs.  Chris Johnson had another rough day as he only rushed for 21 yards on 13 carries (1.6 ypc) but he did catch 4 passes for 54 yards (13.5 avg).  WR Nate Washington led the way for the Titans in the passing game yesterday with 8 grabs for 92 yards (11.5 avg) with 1 TD grab.  TE Craig Stevens (1 rec, 58 yards), WR Kenny Britt (3 rec, 18 yards) and TE Daniel Graham (1 rec, 4 yards, TD) also pitched in for the Titans in the passing game.  The Titans finished up with 38 yards rushing on 23 carries (1.7 ypc) and they also completed 27 of 36 passes (75%) for 295 yards as they had possession of the ball for 30:54.

The defense was outstanding for the Titans for the most part yesterday.  Safety Jordan Babineaux led the way for the Titans’ D yesterday with 8 tackles and 1 tackle for a loss.  CB Jason McCourty (6 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception), LB Akeem Ayers  (6 tackles) and Will Witherspoon (4 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception) also pitched in for the Titans on D  in this game.  The Broncos finished up with 59 yards rushing on 23 carries (2.6 ypc) and they also completed 24 of 39 passes for 172 yards.  The Titans are now 2-1 on the year.

The Titans exploded in the second half as they outscored the Ravens 16-3 to surge to victory.  Matt Hasselbeck was great yesterday as he completed 30 of 42 passes for 358 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 interception. Chris Johnson had to fight for every yard he got yesterday as he carried the ball 24 times for 53 yards (2.2 ypc).  He also caught 3 passes for 12 yards (4.0 avg) in this game.  Javon Ringer pitched in with 21 yards rushing on 5 carries (4.2 ypc) and 2 catches for 30 yards (15.0 avg).  WRs Kenny Britt (9 rec, 135 yards, TD) and Nate Washington (7 grabs, 99 yards) led the way in the passing game for the Titans.  The Titans finished up with 74 yards rushing on 29 carries (2.6 ypc) and they also completed 30 of 42 passes (71.4%) for 358 yards as the had possession of the ball for 35:52.

The defense was outstanding for the Titans yesterday.  DE Dave Ball (4 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack and 2 QB hits) and CB Jason McCourty (4 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception which he returned 30 yards) led the way for the Titans’ on D yesterday.  DE Derrick Morgan also had a solid game with 3 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack and 2 QB hits.  CB Alterraun Verner (INT) and safety Jordan Babineuax (FR) also made big plays for the Titans.  The Ravens finished up with 45 yards rushing on 17 carries (2.6 ypc) and they also completed 15 of 32 passes (46.9%) for 184 yards.  The Titans are now 1-1 on the year.

The Tennessee Titans were sleepwalking offensively until late in the 3rd quarter and it proved to be too little, too late.  Matt Hasselbeck completed 21 of 34 passes for 263 yards with 2 TD passes and 1 INT.  He also carried the ball 1 time for 9 yards in his regular season debut for the Titans.  Chris Johnson looked rusty as he carried the ball 9 times for 24 yards (2.7 ypc) and he also caught 6 passes for 25 yards (4.2 avg) in this game.  WR Kenny Britt had a true breakout game for the Titans today with 5 grabs for 136 yards (27.2 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  WR Nate Washington pitched in with 6 catches for 67 yards (11.2 avg) in this game.  The Titans finished up with 43 yards rushing on 13 carries (3.3 ypc) and they also completed 21 of 34 passes (61.8%) for 249 yards in this game despite only having possession of the ball for 20:22.

The defense had trouble getting off the field as the Jaguars pounded them with their running game all day long.  MLB Barrett Ruud led the way for the Titans on D with 14 tackles.  Safety Chris Hope (8 tackles), OLB Akeem Ayers (7 tackles) and OLB Will Witherspoon (5 tackles and 1 fumble recovery) also pitched in for the Titans on D.  The Jaguars finished up with 163 yards rushing on 47 carries (3.5 ypc) and they also completed 17 of 24 passes (70.8%) for 160 yards in this game.  The Titans start the 2011 season out with a 0-1 record.

The Titans left everything on the field in this game but they lost it on a last second field goal by Colts’ kicker Adam Vinatieri.  Kerry Collins played a very solid game as he completed 28 of 39 passes for 300 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 INTs.  Chris Johnson only carried the ball 20 times for 39 yards (2.0 ypc) but he also caught 6 passes for 51 yards (8.5 avg) with a TD grab.  WR Kenny Britt (5 rec, 85 yards, TD) and TE Jared Cook (7 rec, 58 yards) led the way in the passing game for the Titans.  The Titans finished up with 51 yards rushing on 24 carries (2.1 ypc) and they also completed 28 of 39 passes for 290 yards.

CBs Alterraun Verner (10 tackles) and Cortland Finnegan (9 tackles) led the way for the Titans’ D in this game.  Safety Michael Griffin pitched in with 5 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 fumble recovery in this game.  The Colts finished up with 101 yards rushing on 25 carries (4.0 ypc) and they also completed 27 of 41 passes for 257 yards.  The Titans finished up in a tie for last place in the AFC South with the Texans at 6-10.

The Titans never had a chance in this game as the Chiefs really took it to them all game long.  Kerry Collins did not look good as he completed 14 of 37 passes for 235 yards with 2 TD passes and 2 INTs (one of these was returned 54-yards for a TD by Chiefs’ safety Eric Berry).  Chris Johnson only rushed for 58 yards on 14 carries (4.1 ypc) as the Titans fell to far behind to run the ball in this game.  TE Jared Cook (5 rec, 96 yards, TD) and WR Kenny Britt (4 rec, 89 yards, TD) led the way in the passing game for the Titans yesterday.  The Titans finished up with 57 yards rushing on 16 carries (3.6 ypc) and they also completed 14 of 37 passes for 213 yards as they only had the ball for 20:56 in this game!

The Titans didn’t play any D in this game as the Chiefs did whatever they wanted to.  Safety Chris  Hope (10 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss and 1 fumble recovery), CB Alterraun Verner (10 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss), LB Stephen Tulloch (10 tackles, 1 QB hit) and LB Will Witherspoon (8 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 INT) all had decent games for the Titans.  But, the Chiefs still finished up with 152 yards rushing on 40 carries (3.8 ypc) and they also completed 25 of 36 passes for 306 yards.  The Titans are now 6-9 on the season.

The Titans beat up the Texans on both sides of the football yesterday.  Kerry Collins was efficient as he completed 14 of 24 passes for 237 yards with 2 TD passes and 1 INT.  Chris Johnson was solid this time against the Texans with 130 yards on 24 carries (5.4 ypc) with 1 TD carry.  Javon Ringer pitched in with 19 yards rushing on 4 carries (4.8 ypc) with a TD run in this game.  WRs Kenny Britt (6 rec, 128 yards), Nate Washington (2 rec, 20 yards, TD) and Justin Gage (1 rec, 1 yard and a TD) led the way in the passing game for the Titans.  The Titans finished up with 147 yards rushing on 30 carries (4.9 ypc) and they also completed 14 of 24 passes for 212 yards.

CB Alterraun Verner (10 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass defensed), LB Stephen Tulloch (9 tackles) and DE Jason Babin (6 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 tackle for a loss and 2 QB hits) led the way for the Titans on D in this game.  The Texans finished up with 30 yards rushing on 17 carries (1.8 ypc) and they also completed 35 of 54 passes for 323 yards.  The Titans are now 6-8 on the year.