HAMPTON — For Jake Locker, being quarterback for the Tennessee Titans means being a good representative on and off the field.

Growing up in the small town of Ferndale, Wash., the way he acts off the field, staying humble, means as much to him as what he does on field.

“I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of good people around me,” Locker said Wednesday during an appearance with the 14th annual Titans Caravan at Hampton Elementary School. “They’ve helped me get to this point. It would be disrespectful to them if I took credit for something if it’s not due. I’m thankful to have this opportunity and to be in the situation I’m in.”

The 23-year-old is currently battling veteran Matt Hasslebeck to be the Titans’ starting quarterback. Locker, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, is looked at as the future face of the franchise, while Hasslebeck is a proven commodity, throwing for over 3,500 yards last season. However the quarterback competition works out, Locker promises to make the best of it and still compete.

He has the same response to fans, media, coaches or the team’s executives when asked why he deserves to be the starter.

“I just work as hard as I can, and day in and day out, you’re going to get the best out of me,” he said. “That’s what I tell anybody when they ask me why they should choose me, or why I might be a better option than somebody else.

“I can’t talk about anybody else. I don’t know what drives them, but I know what makes me go and what I can bring to the table. At the end of the day, I hope that’s enough for them.”

It was an awkward situation for both Locker and Hasslebeck earlier in the year when Titans owner Bud Adams openly courted free-agent quarterback Peyton Manning. Now, that Manning has moved on to the Denver Broncos, Locker said the Titans’ signal callers are ready to put the episode behind them.

“I think Peyton’s happy where he is, and we’re happy that our quarterback room involves who it does,” Locker said. “We’re excited going forward.”

Looking ahead has come easy for Locker, who was a Parade All-American in high school after leading Ferndale to a 14-0 record and a state championship in 2005. That season, which Locker still calls his best football memory, included a ratio of 25 touchdowns against just three interceptions. His performance brought college offers from all over the country before Locker committed to the University of Washington.

The Washington program was downtrodden at the time and it only got worse his first couple of years on campus. The Huskies finished with an 0-12 record his sophomore year, only to see Locker lead them to back-to-back wins over Southern California his junior and senior seasons. The Huskies also posted back-to-back victories in the Apple Cup rivalry over Washington State.

The biggest upset was saved for last, when Locker led Washington to a 19-7 victory over heavily favored Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl.

It was little surprise when the Titans made him their first-round draft pick. As a rookie, he made appearances in five games where he completed 34 of 66 passes for 542 yards, and threw four touchdowns with no interceptions.

While the competitor in him wanted to play more, Locker saw last season as a chance to gain valuable experience.

“It’s exciting any time you have the opportunity to get on the field,” Locker said. “But, I looked at it as an opportunity to learn from Matt, to try to take in as much as I could. He hasn’t been in the league 13 years by chance. He has figured out how to be successful at this level. To learn from a guy like that, not a lot of guys get that opportunity, so I was thankful for it.”

Beyond his own role, Locker believes this could be a banner year for the Titans. In the AFC South, Indianapolis begins the post-Manning era with No. 1 draft pick, Andrew Luck. The Jacksonville Jaguars changed coaches in the middle of last season, and Locker feels the Titans match up well with defending champion Houston.

“Winning the division is the goal every year because if you win the division, you know you’re in the playoffs,” he said. “Especially when it’s a division like ours with a lot of young talent in it, it’s one we could start to control now. Our goal is to be good for years to come.”

With All-Pro running back Chris Johnson scheduled to go through training camp, and key receiver Kenny Britt healthy, it could be a banner year for the Titans’ offense. As a team, Locker looks back to games like a season-opening 16-14 loss to Jacksonville and other losses to Atlanta and New Orleans, and sees where Tennessee needs to improve most under second-year head coach Mike Munchak.

“We lost a few really close games last year,” he said. “To be successful, we have to find ways to close those games out. That’s the difference between going 11-5 or 9-7 like we did. If we can find ways to win those games, your season is completely different.”

When it doesn’t happen, a team has to be ready to adjust. It’s no different than what Locker used to see every Sunday with Brett Favre, his favorite player growing up. Watching Favre scramble out of the pocket and make plays was only part of the appeal. Most of all, Locker tries to bring the same passion to the game as the Packers legend.

“I grew up a fan of Brett Favre, and you could always tell his love of the game,” Locker said. “You could see that every Sunday, and that’s something I have respect for. We’re very fortunate to play this game for a living, and you should have fun and enjoy doing it.”

QB’s drafted No.1 and 2

Quarterbacks drafted 1-2 in the same year since 1967:
• 1971—Jim Plunkett, Stanford, by New England, and Archie Manning, Mississippi, by New Orleans.
• 1993—Drew Bledsoe, Washington St., by New England, and Rick Mirer, Notre Dame, by Seattle.
• 1998—Peyton Manning, Tennessee, by Indianapolis, and Ryan Leaf, Washington St., by San Diego.
• 1999—Tim Couch, Kentucky, by Cleveland, and Donovan McNabb, Syracuse, by Philadelphia.
• 2012—Andrew Luck, Stanford, by Indianapolis, and Robert Griffin III, Baylor, by Washington.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans will be meeting with Peyton Manning on Wednesday, said owner Bud Adams.Adams told WSMV-TV the Titans’ contingent will fly out of Nashville on Wednesday and spend the day with Manning, a meeting delayed apparently by trouble getting a co-pilot for his private plane. Adams told the TV station he thinks Manning really is interested in the Titans’ offer, and he expects a quick decision from the four-time MVP.
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“I think he’s … wanting to sign up with somebody pretty quickly,” Adams said by telephone from his Houston home. Where the meeting will take place remains a secret, though a private plane with a Titans’ emblem on the tail arrived in Nashville on Tuesday afternoon with a flight plan projecting the plane to arrive in Raleigh-Durham a couple hours later. The plane was towed behind a hangar with the flight plan scrapped for the night. That left coach Mike Munchak busy with other non-Manning business. Munchak left shortly before 1 p.m. ET and returned about 45 minutes later with free agent guard Steve Hutchinson. Munchak left again a couple of hours later and returned with an unidentified passenger, but not Manning in a day in Nashville with lots of waiting and watching. It’s been that way since Adams made it known he wants Manning and will do whatever it takes to sign the quarterback. The anticipation has mounted since the former Indianapolis and University of Tennessee quarterback agreed to meet with the Titans — though when and where has been a closely guarded secret. Manning’s day book has reportedly included meetings with the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. The Titans are his latest suitor. But there was other free agent business to deal with besides the Manning watch. Munchak met with Hutchinson, who played with Minnesota last year. The five-time first-team All-Pro guard could boost the offense line for the Titans. Tennessee ranked 31st in rushing last year averaging 89.9 yards per game. Chris Johnson had a career-low 1,047 yards. Munchak picked Hutchinson up at the airport with some personal service. The coach drove past reporters hoping for an update as Munchak pulled back into the parking lot. Tennessee also made a few other moves. The Titans signed safety Jordan Babineaux and linebacker Patrick Bailey to multi-year contracts before free agency opened. Re-signing Babineaux means Tennessee returns both their starting safeties with the franchise tag slapped on Michael Griffin. Guard Fernando Velasco and defensive end Malcolm Sheppard signed deals as exclusive rights free agents. With most of the non-Manning business apparently completed, Munchak rolled out of the Titans facility at 7:50 p.m. wearing a sport coat and waved to reporters — but again, not stopping to talk. Reporters staked out across the street from the Titans’ facility all day weren’t there for Hutchinson or any other free agent, and everyone knew it. People driving by slowed down and asked for updates on Manning. One jogger asked, “They signing Peyton?” as he ran past. That’s what everyone wants to know, and nobody with the Titans is talking. Manning certainly has plenty of connections to Tennessee, the state where he starred at the University of Tennessee, and where his name remains a popular choice for children. His wife is from Memphis, and Manning already knows the Titans’ facility a bit, having practiced against Tennessee a few years ago when the Colts came to town for some joint practices. Munchak also was a teammate of Archie Manning in 1982 and briefly in 1983 with the then-Houston Oilers. Munchak just hired Dennis Polian — son of former Colts general manager Bill Polian — as his assistant. The biggest key is Adams, the 89-year-old billionaire who wants back in the playoffs. His Titans have been only twice since 2004 with both trips in 2007 and 2008 lasting only one game each. When he wants a quarterback, he gets him whether it was having his Titans draft Vince Young in 2006 or signing Warren Moon away from the CFL. “I want Manning,” Adams told The Tennessean. “I’d love to see him in Titan blue after watching him so many years with the Colts. … I want him. I am ready to do what it takes to get him aboard, and I think he’d be the guy to get us into the playoffs.” The Titans already have veteran Matt Hasselbeck, signed to a three-year contract last July, and Jake Locker picked with the No. 8 overall selection in the 2011 draft. But Hasselbeck is due $5.5 million in salary this year after getting a chunk of his deal last season.

by

Teresa M. Walker, Associated Press

Nfl

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans will be meeting with Peyton Manning on Wednesday, according to owner Bud Adams.

Adams told WSMV-TV the Titans’ contingent will fly out of Nashville on Wednesday and spend the day with Manning, a meeting delayed apparently by trouble getting a co-pilot for his private plane.

Adams told the station he thinks Manning really is interested in the Titans’ offer, and he expects a quick decision from the four-time MVP.

“I think he’s … wanting to sign up with somebody pretty quickly,” Adams said by telephone from his Houston home.

Where the meeting will take place remains a secret, though a private plane with a Titans’ emblem on the tail arrived in Nashville on Tuesday afternoon with a flight plan projecting the plane to arrive in Raleigh-Durham a couple hours later.

The plane was towed behind a hangar with the flight plan scrapped for the night.

That left coach Mike Munchak busy with other non-Manning business.

Munchak left shortly before 1 p.m. and returned about 45 minutes later with free agent guard Steve Hutchinson. Munchak left again a couple of hours later and returned with an unidentified passenger, but not Manning in a day in Nashville with lots of waiting and watching.

It’s been that way since Adams made it known he wants Manning and will do whatever it takes to sign the quarterback.

The anticipation has mounted since the former Indianapolis and University of Tennessee quarterback agreed to meet with the Titans — though when and where has been a closely guarded secret.

Manning’s day book has reportedly included meetings with the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. The Titans are his latest suitor.

But there was other free agent business to deal with besides the Manning watch.

Munchak met with Hutchinson, who played with Minnesota last year. The five-time first-team All-Pro guard could boost the offense line for the Titans. Tennessee ranked 31st in rushing last year averaging 89.9 yards per game. Chris Johnson had a career-low 1,047 yards.

Munchak picked Hutchinson up at the airport with some personal service. The coach drove past reporters hoping for an update as Munchak pulled back into the parking lot.

Tennessee also made a few other moves. The Titans signed safety Jordan Babineaux and linebacker Patrick Bailey to multi-year contracts before free agency opened. Re-signing Babineaux means Tennessee returns both their starting safeties with the franchise tag slapped on Michael Griffin.

Guard Fernando Velasco and defensive end Malcolm Sheppard signed deals as exclusive rights free agents.

With most of the non-Manning business apparently completed, Munchak rolled out of the Titans facility at 7:50 p.m. wearing a sport coat and waved to reporters — but again, not stopping to talk.

Reporters staked out across the street from the Titans’ facility all day weren’t there for Hutchinson or any other free agent, and everyone knew it. People driving by slowed down and asked for updates on Manning.

One jogger asked, “They signing Peyton?” as he ran past.

That’s what everyone wants to know, and nobody with the Titans is talking.

Manning certainly has plenty of connections to Tennessee, the state where he starred at the University of Tennessee, and where his name remains a popular choice for children. His wife is from Memphis, and Manning already knows the Titans’ facility a bit, having practiced against Tennessee a few years ago when the Colts came to town for some joint practices.

Munchak also was a teammate of Archie Manning in 1982 and briefly in 1983 with the then-Houston Oilers. Munchak just hired Dennis Polian — son of former Colts general manager Bill Polian — as his assistant.

The biggest key is Adams, the 89-year-old billionaire who wants back in the playoffs. His Titans have been only twice since 2004 with both trips in 2007 and 2008 lasting only one game each. When he wants a quarterback, he gets him whether it was having his Titans draft Vince Young in 2006 or signing Warren Moon away from the CFL.

“I want Manning,” Adams told The Tennessean. “I’d love to see him in Titan blue after watching him so many years with the Colts. … I want him. I am ready to do what it takes to get him aboard, and I think he’d be the guy to get us into the playoffs.”

The Titans already have veteran Matt Hasselbeck, signed to a three-year contract last July, and Jake Locker picked with the No. 8 overall selection in the 2011 draft. But Hasselbeck is due $5.5 million in salary this year after getting a chunk of his deal last season.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans will be meeting with Peyton Manning today, according to owner Bud Adams.

Adams told WSMV-TV the Titans’ contingent will fly out of Nashville today and spend the day with Manning, a meeting delayed apparently by trouble getting a co-pilot for his private plane. Adams told the TV station he thinks Manning really is interested in the Titans’ offer, and he expects a quick decision from the four-time MVP.

‘‘I think he’s . . . wanting to sign up with somebody pretty quickly,’’ Adams said by telephone from his Houston home.

Where the meeting will take place remains a secret, though a private plane with a Titans emblem on the tail arrived in Nashville on Tuesday afternoon with a flight plan projecting the plane to arrive in Raleigh-Durham a couple hours later. The plane was towed behind a hangar with the flight plan scrapped for the night.

That left coach Mike Munchak busy with other non-Manning business. Munchak left shortly before 1 p.m. ET and returned about 45 minutes later with free agent guard Steve Hutchinson. Munchak left again a couple of hours later and returned with an unidentified passenger, but not Manning in a day in Nashville with lots of waiting and watching.

It’s been that way since Adams made it known he wants Manning and will do whatever it takes to sign the quarterback. The anticipation has mounted since the former Indianapolis and University of Tennessee quarterback agreed to meet with the Titans — though when and where has been a closely guarded secret.

Manning’s day book has reportedly included meetings with the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. The Titans are considered his latest suitor, but The Denver Post reported that Manning already has narrowed his choices to two, and Denver is one of them.

But there was other free agent business to deal with besides the Manning watch.

Munchak met with Hutchinson, who played with Minnesota last year. The five-time first-team All-Pro guard could boost the offense line for the Titans. Tennessee ranked 31st in rushing last year averaging 89.9 yards per game. Chris Johnson had a career-low 1,047 yards.

Munchak picked Hutchinson up at the airport with some personal service. The coach drove past reporters hoping for an update as Munchak pulled back into the parking lot.

Tennessee also made a few other moves. The Titans signed safety Jordan Babineaux and linebacker Patrick Bailey to multiyear contracts before free agency opened. Re-signing Babineaux means Tennessee returns both their starting safeties with the franchise tag slapped on Michael Griffin.

Guard Fernando Velasco and defensive end Malcolm Sheppard signed deals as exclusive rights free agents.

With most of the non-Manning business apparently completed, Munchak rolled out of the Titans facility at 7:50 p.m. wearing a sport coat and waved to reporters — but again, not stopping to talk.

Reporters staked out across the street from the Titans’ facility all day weren’t there for Hutchinson or any other free agent, and everyone knew it. People driving by slowed down and asked for updates on Manning.

One jogger asked, ‘‘They signing Peyton?’’ as he ran past.

That’s what everyone wants to know, and nobody with the Titans is talking.

Manning certainly has plenty of connections to Tennessee, the state where he starred at the University of Tennessee, and where his name remains a popular choice for children. His wife is from Memphis, and Manning already knows the Titans’ facility a bit, having practiced against Tennessee a few years ago when the Colts came to town for some joint practices.

Munchak also was a teammate of Archie Manning in 1982 and briefly in 1983 with the then-Houston Oilers. Munchak just hired Dennis Polian — son of former Colts general manager Bill Polian — as his assistant.

The biggest key is Adams, the 89-year-old billionaire who wants back in the playoffs. His Titans have been only twice since 2004 with both trips in 2007 and 2008 lasting only one game each. When he wants a quarterback, he gets him whether it was having his Titans draft Vince Young in 2006 or signing Warren Moon away from the CFL.

‘‘I want Manning,’’ Adams told The Tennessean. ‘‘I’d love to see him in Titan blue after watching him so many years with the Colts. . . . I want him. I am ready to do what it takes to get him aboard, and I think he’d be the guy to get us into the playoffs.’’

The Titans already have veteran Matt Hasselbeck, signed to a three-year contract last July, and Jake Locker picked with the No. 8 overall selection in the 2011 draft. But Hasselbeck is due $5.5 million in salary this year after getting a chunk of his deal last season.

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Tennessee Titans will be meeting with Peyton Manning on Wednesday, according to owner Bud Adams.

Adams told WSMV-TV the Titans’ contingent will fly out of Nashville on Wednesday and spend the day with Manning, a meeting delayed apparently by trouble getting a co-pilot for his private plane. Adams told the TV station he thinks Manning really is interested in the Titans’ offer, and he expects a quick decision from the four-time MVP.

”I think he’s … wanting to sign up with somebody pretty quickly,” Adams said by telephone from his Houston home.

Where the meeting will take place remains a secret, though a private plane with a Titans’ emblem on the tail arrived in Nashville on Tuesday afternoon with a flight plan projecting the plane to arrive in Raleigh-Durham a couple hours later. The plane was towed behind a hangar with the flight plan scrapped for the night.

That left coach Mike Munchak busy with other non-Manning business. Munchak left shortly before 1 p.m. ET and returned about 45 minutes later with free agent guard Steve Hutchinson. Munchak left again a couple of hours later and returned with an unidentified passenger, but not Manning in a day in Nashville with lots of waiting and watching.

It’s been that way since Adams made it known he wants Manning and will do whatever it takes to sign the quarterback. The anticipation has mounted since the former Indianapolis and University of Tennessee quarterback agreed to meet with the Titans – though when and where has been a closely guarded secret.

Manning’s day book has reportedly included meetings with the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. The Titans are his latest suitor.

But there was other free agent business to deal with besides the Manning watch.

Munchak met with Hutchinson, who played with Minnesota last year. The five-time first-team All-Pro guard could boost the offense line for the Titans. Tennessee ranked 31st in rushing last year averaging 89.9 yards per game. Chris Johnson had a career-low 1,047 yards.

Munchak picked Hutchinson up at the airport with some personal service. The coach drove past reporters hoping for an update as Munchak pulled back into the parking lot.

Tennessee also made a few other moves. The Titans signed safety Jordan Babineaux and linebacker Patrick Bailey to multi-year contracts before free agency opened. Re-signing Babineaux means Tennessee returns both their starting safeties with the franchise tag slapped on Michael Griffin.

Guard Fernando Velasco and defensive end Malcolm Sheppard signed deals as exclusive rights free agents.

With most of the non-Manning business apparently completed, Munchak rolled out of the Titans facility at 7:50 p.m. wearing a sport coat and waved to reporters – but again, not stopping to talk.

Reporters staked out across the street from the Titans’ facility all day weren’t there for Hutchinson or any other free agent, and everyone knew it. People driving by slowed down and asked for updates on Manning.

One jogger asked, ”They signing Peyton?” as he ran past.

That’s what everyone wants to know, and nobody with the Titans is talking.

Manning certainly has plenty of connections to Tennessee, the state where he starred at the University of Tennessee, and where his name remains a popular choice for children. His wife is from Memphis, and Manning already knows the Titans’ facility a bit, having practiced against Tennessee a few years ago when the Colts came to town for some joint practices.

Munchak also was a teammate of Archie Manning in 1982 and briefly in 1983 with the then-Houston Oilers. Munchak just hired Dennis Polian – son of former Colts general manager Bill Polian – as his assistant.

The biggest key is Adams, the 89-year-old billionaire who wants back in the playoffs. His Titans have been only twice since 2004 with both trips in 2007 and 2008 lasting only one game each. When he wants a quarterback, he gets him whether it was having his Titans draft Vince Young in 2006 or signing Warren Moon away from the CFL.

”I want Manning,” Adams told The Tennessean. ”I’d love to see him in Titan blue after watching him so many years with the Colts. … I want him. I am ready to do what it takes to get him aboard, and I think he’d be the guy to get us into the playoffs.”

The Titans already have veteran Matt Hasselbeck, signed to a three-year contract last July, and Jake Locker picked with the No. 8 overall selection in the 2011 draft. But Hasselbeck is due $5.5 million in salary this year after getting a chunk of his deal last season.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After Wednesday’s announcement that the Indianapolis Colts released Peyton Manning, there are reports that 12 teams have expressed interest- including the Tennessee Titans.

To this point, the Titans have said they are happy with their quarterback situation.

ESPN reported that Tennessee is among the teams at least inquiring about Manning. They could make an announcement Thursday to either dispel or confirm rumors. 

It comes after some Tennessee fans have started an online effort to bring Manning here.   They are putting up billboards and a website asking him to consider the Titans.

Manning was released by the Colts Wednesday after 14 years. He was sidelined all last season due to a neck injury.

The four-time MVP and Super Bowl winner was a former quarterback at the University of Tennessee.

The Tennessee Titans and the agent for cornerback Cortland Finnegan met Friday at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, but moved no closer to a long-term deal, according to The Tennessean.

Finnegan’s agent, Terry Watson, met with Titans general manager Ruston Webster and vice president/football administration Vin Marino, the newspaper said. Webster and Marino could not be reached for comment. Watson was brief in telling the newspaper via text that they “had a good visit.”

Finnegan wanted an extension last offseason on a contract that paid the All-Pro cornerback more than $3.7 million in 2011. He briefly left training camp over a contract dispute and is now set to become a free agent next month.

Though unexpected, the Titans could use the $10.6 million franchise tag on Finnegan before the March 5 deadline.

Finnegan, 28, turned down a four-year, $28 million deal before last season, according to The Tennessean. According to the report, Finnegan is seeking more than the five-year, $48.75 million contract cornerback Johnathan Joseph signed with the Houston Texans last July, a deal that included $23.5 million in guarantees.

Earlier this week, when asked what kind of deal Finnegan is looking for, Watson told The Tennessean, “one that makes him one of the top-paid cornerbacks in the NFL.”

AFC EAST
New England Patriots
	   Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
	   Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
New York Jets
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	   Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
Miami Dolphins
	   Home: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
	   Away: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
Buffalo Bills
	   Home: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
	   Away: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
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Pittsburgh Steelers
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Cincinnati Bengals
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Cleveland Browns
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	   Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
	   Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
	   Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Tennessee Titans
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Jacksonville Jaguars
	   Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
	   Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Indianapolis Colts
	   Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
	   Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
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San Diego Chargers
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	   Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Oakland Raiders
	   Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	   Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Kansas City Chiefs
	   Home: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
	   Away: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	   -- -- -- =
NFC EAST
New York Giants
	   Home: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Philadelphia Eagles
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Dallas Cowboys
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Washington Redskins
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NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers
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Detroit Lions
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	   Away: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Chicago Bears
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	   Away: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Minnesota Vikings
	   Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
	   Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
NFC SOUTH
New Orleans Saints
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	   Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
Atlanta Falcons
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HOUSTON — The Tennessee Titans’ regular-season finale came down to a 2-point conversion. Their playoff hopes officially ended a few hours later.

Matt Hasselbeck threw two touchdown passes, and Tennessee staved off Houston’s last-minute rally in a 23-22 victory Sunday.

Tennessee (9-7) earned its first winning record since 2008 in Mike Munchak’s first season, but its postseason fate depended on the outcome of later games in Cincinnati, Oakland and Denver.

When the Broncos lost to Kansas City, the Titans were knocked out of playoff contention.

“We knew that was the situation we were in, and we could only do what we could do,” Hasselbeck said. “We were focused on taking care of business and handling the things that we could control. Finishing 9-7 is something we can be proud about whether we get the help or we don’t.”

The Titans got some early help when the New York Jets lost in Miami, but then had to sweat out the final two minutes when Ahmard Hall fumbled, and Jake Delhomme drove Houston for a touchdown with 14 seconds left.

The Texans (10-6) were locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs before the game began. They will play Cincinnati (9-7) next weekend in the franchise’s first postseason game. Houston beat the Bengals 20-19 on Dec. 11.

With their position secured and nothing to lose but more players to injury, coach Gary Kubiak called for a 2-point conversion to avoid overtime and win the game in regulation.

“You would never go for 2 there in any other situation,” Kubiak said. “But where we were physically, at the end of the game, I had a tight end [Garrett Graham] playing linebacker. Our team, I had to get them to next week.”

But tight end Joel Dreessen was flagged for illegal motion, and then backup center Thomas Austin flipped the snap over Delhomme’s head and the game was over.

The victory turned out to mean nothing for the Titans.

Tennessee needed the Bengals to lose to Baltimore and victories by Oakland and Denver to earn a playoff berth. And that would’ve landed the Titans right back in Houston next week to play the Texans.

But a 27-13 loss in Indianapolis two weeks ago proved costly, and the Titans will sit out the playoffs for the third straight season.

“We knew that after we lost to the Colts, which was kind of a low point for us, at that point we were 7-7,” Hasselbeck said. “Coach Munchak came and said: ‘Hey, there’s a lot of things this season that could have gone better, that we could have done better, but we didn’t. That’s in the past and there’s nothing we can do about that.”

The Texans, meanwhile, will head into the franchise’s first postseason on a three-game losing streak and new concerns about their quarterback.

Rookie starter T.J. Yates left the game after one series and was replaced by the 36-year-old Delhomme. Kubiak said Yates had a bruised left shoulder but could’ve returned if necessary.

“Obviously, I didn’t want him to go back in the game,” Kubiak said. “We’ll know better where we’re at [Monday], at this point.”

Delhomme, signed Nov. 29 in the wake of season-ending injuries to starter Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart, completed 18 of 28 passes in his first action since December 2010.

Johnson ran for 61 yards to go over 1,000 for the fourth consecutive season, and Rob Bironas kicked three field goals for Tennessee.

“It was an interesting ending,” Munchak said. “Our goal was to come in here and win this game. We did that. We’re 9-7 and that’s all we can control.”

Yates was sacked on Houston’s first snap by Jurrell Casey and Derrick Morgan. He completed passes to Dreessen and James Casey for first downs, before Ben Tate and Derrick Ward started alternating touches for the rest of the drive.

Tate plowed into the end zone with 5:15 left in the first quarter, but Yates came off the field favoring his left shoulder and went to the locker room.

Yates jogged back to the Houston sideline for the start of the second quarter. But after Bironas kicked a 21-yard field goal, Delhomme returned for the Texans’ next possession.

Titans defensive end Dave Ball sacked Delhomme and knocked the ball loose, and safety Chris Hope recovered at the Texans 33. Hasselbeck threw a 25-yard pass to Jared Cook, then found Donnie Avery in the corner of the end zone to move Tennessee in front.

Hasselbeck completed 22 of 35 passes for 297 yards without an interception.

Delhomme threw a 16-yard pass to Andre Johnson to get Houston moving again. Johnson caught two passes and sat out the second half after missing the previous three games with a strained left hamstring.

HOUSTON — The Tennessee Titans’ regular-season finale came down to a 2-point conversion. Their playoff hopes officially ended a few hours later.

Matt Hasselbeck threw two touchdown passes, and Tennessee staved off Houston’s last-minute rally in a 23-22 victory Sunday.

Tennessee (9-7) earned its first winning record since 2008 in Mike Munchak’s first season, but its postseason fate depended on the outcome of later games in Cincinnati, Oakland and Denver.

When the Broncos lost to Kansas City, the Titans were knocked out of playoff contention.

“I was proud of the guys for bouncing back the last two weeks and putting ourselves in the position to reach the playoffs,” Munchak said in a statement, “but we also put ourselves in the position of needing help and it didn’t work out for us today.”

The Titans got some early help when the New York Jets lost in Miami, but then had to sweat out the final two minutes when Ahmard Hall fumbled, and Jake Delhomme drove Houston for a touchdown with 14 seconds left.

“We knew that was the situation we were in and we could only do what we could do,” Hasselbeck said. “We were focused on taking care of business and handling the things that we could control. Finishing 9-7 is something we can be proud about whether we get the help or we don’t.”

The Texans (10-6) were locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs before the game began. They will play Cincinnati (9-7) next Saturday in the franchise’s first postseason game. Houston beat the Bengals 20-19 on Dec. 11.

With their position secured and nothing to lose but more players to injury, coach Gary Kubiak called for a 2-point conversion to avoid overtime and win the game in regulation.

“You would never go for 2 there in any other situation,” Kubiak said. “But where we were physically, at the end of the game, I had a tight end (Garrett Graham) playing linebacker. Our team, I had to get them to next week.”

But tight end Joel Dreessen was flagged for illegal motion, and then backup center Thomas Austin flipped the snap over Delhomme’s head and the game was over.

The victory turned out to mean nothing for the Titans.

Tennessee needed the Bengals to lose to Baltimore and victories by Oakland and Denver to earn a playoff berth. And that would’ve landed the Titans right back in Houston next week to play the Texans.

But a 27-13 loss in Indianapolis two weeks ago proved costly, and the Titans will sit out the playoffs for the third straight season.

“We knew that after we lost to the Colts, which was kind of a low point for us, at that point we were 7-7,” Hasselbeck said. “Coach Munchak came and said: `Hey, there’s a lot of things this season that could have gone better, that we could have done better, but we didn’t. That’s in the past and there’s nothing we can do about that.”

The Texans, meanwhile, will head into the franchise’s first postseason on a three-game losing streak and new concerns about their quarterback.

Rookie starter T.J. Yates left the game after one series and was replaced by the 36-year-old Delhomme. Kubiak said Yates had a bruised left shoulder but could’ve returned if necessary.

“Obviously, I didn’t want him to go back in the game,” Kubiak said. “We’ll know better where we’re at (Monday), at this point.”

Delhomme, signed Nov. 29 in the wake of season-ending injuries to starter Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart, completed 18 of 28 passes in his first action since December 2010.

Johnson ran for 61 yards to go over 1,000 for the fourth consecutive season, and Rob Bironas kicked three field goals for Tennessee.

“It was an interesting ending,” Munchak said. “Our goal was to come in here and win this game. We did that. We’re 9-7 and that’s all we can control.”

Yates was sacked on Houston’s first snap by Jurrell Casey and Derrick Morgan. He completed passes to Dreessen and James Casey for first downs, before Ben Tate and Derrick Ward started alternating touches for the rest of the drive.

Tate plowed into the end zone with 5:15 left in the first quarter, but Yates came off the field favoring his left shoulder and went to the locker room.

Yates jogged back to the Houston sideline for the start of the second quarter. But after Bironas kicked a 21-yard field goal, Delhomme returned for the Texans’ next possession.

Titans defensive end Dave Ball sacked Delhomme and knocked the ball loose, and safety Chris Hope recovered at the Texans 33. Hasselbeck threw a 25-yard pass to Jared Cook, then found Donnie Avery in the corner of the end zone to move Tennessee in front.

Hasselbeck completed 22 of 35 passes for 297 yards without an interception.

Delhomme threw a 16-yard pass to Andre Johnson to get Houston moving again. Johnson caught two passes and sat out the second half after missing the previous three games with a strained left hamstring.

Notes: Hall and Titans LT Mike Otto left with “probable” concussions, Munchak said. WR Damian Williams has a rib injury, Munchak said, and would be re-evaluated Monday. … The Texans dropped to 5-1 in season finales under Kubiak. … Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips worked from the press box after missing two games following kidney and gall bladder surgery.

HOUSTON – The Tennessee Titans’ regular-season finale came down to a 2-point conversion. Their playoff hopes officially ended a few hours later.

Matt Hasselbeck threw two touchdown passes, and Tennessee staved off Houston’s last-minute rally in a 23-22 victory Sunday.

Tennessee (9-7) earned its first winning record since 2008 in Mike Munchak’s first season, but its post-season fate depended on the outcome of later games in Cincinnati, Oakland and Denver.

When the Broncos lost to Kansas City, the Titans were knocked out of playoff contention.

“I was proud of the guys for bouncing back the last two weeks and putting ourselves in the position to reach the playoffs,” Munchak said in a statement, “but we also put ourselves in the position of needing help and it didn’t work out for us today.”

The Titans got some early help when the New York Jets lost in Miami, but then had to sweat out the final two minutes when Ahmard Hall fumbled, and Jake Delhomme drove Houston for a touchdown with 14 seconds left.

“We knew that was the situation we were in and we could only do what we could do,” Hasselbeck said. “We were focused on taking care of business and handling the things that we could control. Finishing 9-7 is something we can be proud about whether we get the help or we don’t.”

The Texans (10-6) were locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs before the game began. They will play Cincinnati (9-7) next Saturday in the franchise’s first post-season game. Houston beat the Bengals 20-19 on Dec. 11.

With their position secured and nothing to lose but more players to injury, coach Gary Kubiak called for a two-point conversion to avoid overtime and win the game in regulation.

“You would never go for two there in any other situation,” Kubiak said. “But where we were physically, at the end of the game, I had a tight end (Garrett Graham) playing linebacker. Our team, I had to get them to next week.”

But tight end Joel Dreessen was flagged for illegal motion, and then backup centre Thomas Austin flipped the snap over Delhomme’s head and the game was over.

The victory turned out to mean nothing for the Titans.

Tennessee needed the Bengals to lose to Baltimore and victories by Oakland and Denver to earn a playoff berth. And that would’ve landed the Titans right back in Houston next week to play the Texans.

But a 27-13 loss in Indianapolis two weeks ago proved costly, and the Titans will sit out the playoffs for the third straight season.

“We knew that after we lost to the Colts, which was kind of a low point for us, at that point we were 7-7,” Hasselbeck said. “Coach Munchak came and said: ‘Hey, there’s a lot of things this season that could have gone better, that we could have done better, but we didn’t. That’s in the past and there’s nothing we can do about that.”

The Texans, meanwhile, will head into the franchise’s first post-season on a three-game losing streak and new concerns about their quarterback.

Rookie starter T.J. Yates left the game after one series and was replaced by the 36-year-old Delhomme. Kubiak said Yates had a bruised left shoulder but could’ve returned if necessary.

“Obviously, I didn’t want him to go back in the game,” Kubiak said. “We’ll know better where we’re at (Monday), at this point.”

Delhomme, signed Nov. 29 in the wake of season-ending injuries to starter Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart, completed 18-of-28 passes in his first action since December 2010.

Johnson ran for 61 yards to go over 1,000 for the fourth consecutive season, and Rob Bironas kicked three field goals for Tennessee.

“It was an interesting ending,” Munchak said. “Our goal was to come in here and win this game. We did that. We’re 9-7 and that’s all we can control.”

Yates was sacked on Houston’s first snap by Jurrell Casey and Derrick Morgan. He completed passes to Dreessen and James Casey for first downs, before Ben Tate and Derrick Ward started alternating touches for the rest of the drive.

Tate plowed into the end zone with 5:15 left in the first quarter, but Yates came off the field favouring his left shoulder and went to the locker room.

Yates jogged back to the Houston sideline for the start of the second quarter. But after Bironas kicked a 21-yard field goal, Delhomme returned for the Texans’ next possession.

Titans defensive end Dave Ball sacked Delhomme and knocked the ball loose, and safety Chris Hope recovered at the Texans 33. Hasselbeck threw a 25-yard pass to Jared Cook, then found Donnie Avery in the corner of the end zone to move Tennessee in front.

Hasselbeck completed 22-of-35 passes for 297 yards without an interception.

Delhomme threw a 16-yard pass to Andre Johnson to get Houston moving again. Johnson caught two passes and sat out the second half after missing the previous three games with a strained left hamstring.

Notes: Hall and Titans LT Mike Otto left with “probable” concussions, Munchak said. WR Damian Williams has a rib injury, Munchak said, and would be re-evaluated Monday. … The Texans dropped to 5-1 in season finales under Kubiak. … Defensive co-ordinator Wade Phillips worked from the press box after missing two games following kidney and gall bladder surgery.

HOUSTON (AP) — The
Tennessee Titans
‘ regular-season finale came down to a 2-point conversion. Their playoff hopes officially ended a few hours later.

Matt Hasselbeck
threw two touchdown passes, and Tennessee staved off Houston’s last-minute rally in a 23-22 victory Sunday.

Tennessee (9-7) earned its first winning record since 2008 in Mike Munchak’s first season, but its postseason fate depended
on the outcome of later games in Cincinnati, Oakland and Denver.

When the Broncos lost to Kansas City, the Titans were knocked out of playoff contention.

“I was proud of the guys for bouncing back the last two weeks and putting ourselves in the position to reach the playoffs,”
Munchak said in a statement, “but we also put ourselves in the position of needing help and it didn’t work out for us today.”

The Titans got some early help when the
New York Jets
lost in Miami, but then had to sweat out the final two minutes when
Ahmard Hall
fumbled, and
Jake Delhomme
drove Houston for a touchdown with 14 seconds left.

“We knew that was the situation we were in and we could only do what we could do,” Hasselbeck said. “We were focused on taking
care of business and handling the things that we could control. Finishing 9-7 is something we can be proud about whether we
get the help or we don’t.”

The Texans (10-6) were locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs before the game began. They will play Cincinnati (9-7)
next Saturday in the franchise’s first postseason game. Houston beat the Bengals 20-19 on Dec. 11.

With their position secured and nothing to lose but more players to injury, coach Gary Kubiak called for a 2-point conversion
to avoid overtime and win the game in regulation.

“You would never go for 2 there in any other situation,” Kubiak said. “But where we were physically, at the end of the game,
I had a tight end (
Garrett Graham
) playing linebacker. Our team, I had to get them to next week.”

But tight end
Joel Dreessen
was flagged for illegal motion, and then backup center
Thomas Austin
flipped the snap over Delhomme’s head and the game was over.

The victory turned out to mean nothing for the Titans.

Tennessee needed the Bengals to lose to Baltimore and victories by Oakland and Denver to earn a playoff berth. And that would’ve
landed the Titans right back in Houston next week to play the Texans.

But a 27-13 loss in Indianapolis two weeks ago proved costly, and the Titans will sit out the playoffs for the third straight
season.

“We knew that after we lost to the Colts, which was kind of a low point for us, at that point we were 7-7,” Hasselbeck said.
“Coach Munchak came and said: `Hey, there’s a lot of things this season that could have gone better, that we could have done
better, but we didn’t. That’s in the past and there’s nothing we can do about that.”

The Texans, meanwhile, will head into the franchise’s first postseason on a three-game losing streak and new concerns about
their quarterback.

Rookie starter T.J. Yates left the game after one series and was replaced by the 36-year-old Delhomme. Kubiak said Yates had
a bruised left shoulder but could’ve returned if necessary.

“Obviously, I didn’t want him to go back in the game,” Kubiak said. “We’ll know better where we’re at (Monday), at this point.”

Delhomme, signed Nov. 29 in the wake of season-ending injuries to starter
Matt Schaub
and backup
Matt Leinart
, completed 18 of 28 passes in his first action since December 2010.

Johnson ran for 61 yards to go over 1,000 for the fourth consecutive season, and
Rob Bironas
kicked three field goals for Tennessee.

“It was an interesting ending,” Munchak said. “Our goal was to come in here and win this game. We did that. We’re 9-7 and
that’s all we can control.”

Yates was sacked on Houston’s first snap by
Jurrell Casey
and
Derrick Morgan
. He completed passes to Dreessen and
James Casey
for first downs, before
Ben Tate
and
Derrick Ward
started alternating touches for the rest of the drive.

Tate plowed into the end zone with 5:15 left in the first quarter, but Yates came off the field favoring his left shoulder
and went to the locker room.

Yates jogged back to the Houston sideline for the start of the second quarter. But after Bironas kicked a 21-yard field goal,
Delhomme returned for the Texans’ next possession.

Titans defensive end
Dave Ball
sacked Delhomme and knocked the ball loose, and safety
Chris Hope
recovered at the Texans 33. Hasselbeck threw a 25-yard pass to
Jared Cook
, then found
Donnie Avery
in the corner of the end zone to move Tennessee in front.

Hasselbeck completed 22 of 35 passes for 297 yards without an interception.

Delhomme threw a 16-yard pass to
Andre Johnson
to get Houston moving again. Johnson caught two passes and sat out the second half after missing the previous three games
with a strained left hamstring.

Notes: Hall and Titans LT
Mike Otto
left with “probable” concussions, Munchak said. WR
Damian Williams
has a rib injury, Munchak said, and would be re-evaluated Monday. … The Texans dropped to 5-1 in season finales under Kubiak.
… Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips worked from the press box after missing two games following kidney and gall bladder
surgery.

© 2011 STATS LLC

With all the AFC’s playoff scenarios, the math is simple for the Tennessee Titans.

Win Saturday or nothing else matters.

Tennessee ruined the chance to control its playoff fate with two straight losses, and none more painful than the last to the previously winless Colts. Now the Titans (7-7) are looking up at the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals needing lots of help to earn a playoff berth under first-year coach Mike Munchak.

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck says the Titans have work to do after the loss to the Colts cost them control of the AFC’s sixth and final playoff spot.

“We’re disappointed about some of the things that have happened this year being 7-7,” Hasselbeck said. “That’s all behind us. As crazy as it sounds, we can be really proud if we’re able to go 9-7 because of what we accomplish the next two weeks. I think that’s the mindset right now for everybody. Get better, win this game … then hopefully getting the chance.”

Hosting the Jaguars (4-10) in the home finale offers a painful reminder just how precious each game is. Jacksonville opened the regular season beating the Titans 16-14, spoiling both Hasselbeck’s debut with his new team and Chris Johnson’s first game back with his new $53.5 million contract.

Now Jacksonville limps in with an NFL-high 22 players on injured reserve. The team has been sold with new owner Shahid Khan taking over in January, coach Jack Del Rio is gone with Mel Tucker 1-2 as the interim coach. Helping Maurice Jones-Drew, the NFL’s leading rusher with 1,334 yards, finish with the rushing title and playing spoiler are about all they have to play for now.

“If we get it, we get it,” Jones-Drew said of the rushing title. “If not, I hope we win the next two games. I’d rather win the next two than not. It’s really about winning right now.”

Winning now is why Munchak is sticking with Hasselbeck at quarterback, even though rookie Jake Locker was put in to try and rally the Titans in a 27-13 loss to Indianapolis. Munchak said he is going with the quarterback he believes gives the Titans the best chance to win, especially against a Jacksonville defense that ranks fourth-stingiest in the NFL giving up 307.4 yards per game.

“We just think that this is the best thing to do for the team right now,” Munchak said.

The strained left calf that had Hasselbeck limping at Indianapolis has healed up enough that the 13-year veteran isn’t listed on the injury report. Hasselbeck said he likely just needs to be more mentally tough and not worry about hurting the calf muscle again. He threw for 223 yards against the Colts with two interceptions and is 76 yards passing shy of his eighth 3,000-yard passing season.

The bigger injury concern for Tennessee is Johnson’s right ankle. Both he and Munchak expect the running back to play, and Johnson is 70 yards from reaching 1,000 yards rushing this season. Johnson did not practice Tuesday and did only some individual work Wednesday. Johnson said the Jaguars’ defensive ranking means they have the Titans’ respect.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Johnson said.

Tennessee’s defense faces the bigger challenge in Jones-Drew. He ran for 97 yards against them, mostly in the first half, of the opener, and he has been even better in his last two visits to Nashville running for 177 and 186 yards. Rookie Blaine Gabbert has thrown for only 11 touchdowns since taking over as the starting quarterback, and he was sacked five times in last week’s 41-14 loss to Atlanta.

That’s why the Titans know they must contain Jones-Drew. It’s such a challenge Titans safety Michael Griffin said it tops any playoff worries after Tennessee gave up 205 yards rushing to the Colts.

“Jones-Drew is a tough runner, a strong guy. He can catch and he can run the ball. We know the offense, it’s going off him, and that’s what we want to do. The main part is stop him early,” Griffin said.

Tucker isn’t changing his offense either, not at this point in the season.

“MoJo is going to get his touches, and I think that’s obvious,” Tucker said. “Our offense is predicated on running the ball and he’s a major part of that, and so he’ll get his carries.”

The Titans are 4-3 at home this season, and bouncing back could be challenging with more than 20 players on the roster in the final year of their contracts.

“This team can do anything,” Griffin said. “It’s all about what we put our minds to. So it’s the last home game of the season and we play this game to win. Maybe some of us, our last time playing at LP Field. There’s going to be a lot of things going through our minds. The main objective is to try and get a win.”

___

AP Sports Writer Mark Long in Jacksonville, Fla., contributed to this report.

___

Follow Teresa M. Walker on Twitter at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker