HOUSTON – The Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans have different objectives in mind heading into Sunday’s regular-season finale.

For the Titans (8-7), the goal is clear-cut — win at Reliant Stadium and then hope for the magic combination of losses involving Cincinnati, Denver, Oakland and the New York Jets to earn their first playoff berth since 2008.

And that would set up a rematch with the Texans in the first round of the post-season right back in Houston.

“If we don’t take care of our business, there will be no scoreboard watching,” kicker Rob Bironas said. “We’ll be on the couch watching — for all of January.”

For the Texans (10-5), the incentive is more intangible — regaining the momentum they seem to have lost in two consecutive defeats after reeling off seven straight wins to clinch their first AFC South title.

Houston has nothing at stake in terms of post-season positioning. The Texans are locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC, and will host a game on the first weekend of the playoffs, no matter what happens.

But no one in the locker room wants to go into the franchise’s first post-season game riding a losing streak.

“This game is more important than most people will ever know,” defensive end Antonio Smith said. “You think that since it doesn’t hurt us or help us as far as the playoff run, that it doesn’t matter.

“You’ve got to be firing on all cylinders when you go into the playoffs,” he said. “If not, man, ain’t no telling what will happen.”

The Texans kick-started their regular season with a 41-7 victory in Nashville on Oct. 23. They stayed in first place for the rest of the regular season, despite playing most of their games without star receiver Andre Johnson.

The five-time Pro Bowl selection has been practicing this week, and coach Gary Kubiak expects Johnson to play in the finale. Johnson sat out six games with a right hamstring injury that required minor surgery, started the next two games and then strained his left hamstring. He’s been sidelined for the last three games, and he’s eager to see some action on Sunday, just so he can regain some stamina and timing.

“I’m excited,” Johnson said. “I feel like I haven’t played football all year. It’ll be fun to get back out there and run around a little bit.”

Houston also hopes to have defensive co-ordinator Wade Phillips back calling the plays, but from the press box instead of on the sideline. Phillips, 64, returned to practice this week after undergoing kidney and gall bladder surgery on Dec. 15.

“It’s awesome to have him back,” rookie outside linebacker Brooks Reed said. “He just has that personality where no matter what goes wrong, he’s always calm and I think that is kind of contagious throughout.”

The Titans, meanwhile, only have flickering playoff hopes because of a 23-17 victory over Jacksonville last week. They lost to the previously winless Colts on Dec. 18, a setback that now looms large.

And they also remember how the Texans manhandled them on their home field, holding Tennessee to 148 yards and 11 first downs. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck conceded that the Titans took their divisional rivals too lightly the first time around.

“I think we probably underestimated how good they were physically,” Hasselbeck said. “They’re one of the premier teams in the NFL this year and it just hasn’t been the case sometimes in the past.

“They were fantastic that game we played against them here,” he said. “They were making plays all over the field in all phases and they really took it to us. I think that’s probably the toughest game we’ve played this year in terms of just, we were feeling one thing and they really disrupted what our thoughts were and took it to us.”

Chris Johnson rushed for only 18 yards in that game, but he’s had three 100-yard games since, all Tennessee victories. Johnson needs only 14 yards rushing on Sunday to reach 1,000 yards for the fourth consecutive season.

“We’re fully aware that he can just break out any time,” Reed said, “and we just need to secure edges and just make sure he doesn’t get out in too many open spaces because that’s where he’s dangerous.”

The Texans’ running backs dominated the earlier meeting.

Arian Foster and Ben Tate both went over 100 yards, and Foster also had 100 yards receiving. Foster, named to the Pro Bowl for the second straight season, has seven 100-yard games this year and has topped 100 yards rushing in Houston’s last two season finales, both victories.

Rookie LBs giving Titans boost

By The Associated Press

NASHVILLE — When the Tennessee Titans went into the draft in April, one of their main objectives was to improve the linebacker position. Even the Titans are surprised at finding a solution so soon among this year’s draft class.

Rookie linebackers Akeem Ayers, a second-round pick from UCLA, and Colin McCarthy, a fourth-rounder from Miami, have stepped in and played so well for Tennessee that they now rarely leave the field. They play not only in the base defense, but in Tennessee’s nickel package.

Ayers was inserted into the lineup as a strongside linebacker from the moment the Titans drafted him, while Tennessee signed free agent Barrett Ruud to a one-year contract to man the middle until McCarthy got some experience.

Due to a groin injury Ruud suffered Nov. 6 against Cincinnati, McCarthy has gotten his opportunity much earlier than anticipated. Ayers’ role has slowly increased as he has learned the nuances of the defensive scheme.

“I think it’s real encouraging to see someone develop as quickly as all of the sudden (McCarthy) is in a short period,” Titans coach Mike Munchak said. “Akeem is the same way, and we are starting to try to use Akeem more on third down. So he is getting more reps. … We are adding more to his plate because he is ready for that now. It is exciting to watch your young players get better.”

Since getting regular playing time three weeks ago, McCarthy has been a key factor in the defense’s success. In those three games, he has 33 tackles and had his first career interception that preserved Sunday’s 23-17 win over Tampa Bay. For the year has five tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

For McCarthy, it’s just part of the job description as a middle linebacker.

“We need to make impact plays throughout the game. There are a lot of plays out there to be made, and playing middle linebacker, when you’ve got the opportunity, then you’ve got to take advantage of them,” he said.

McCarthy has proven to a quick study, too, as his interception came from an adjustment on a play the Bucs ran earlier on a pass to tight end Kellen Winslow.

“It was a play we went through in practice. Earlier in the game, they kind of did that 10-yard (pattern) and just kind of sat there, so it was just a matter of time before they did the shake and tried to hit us deep,” he said. “Coach (Jerry) Gray had a great game plan. We went over that this week, and when they throw it at you, you’ve just got to catch it. That was my main focus.”

Ayers’ main focus has been settling into one spot and learning the system on the fly. At UCLA, he spent some time at defensive end, and played both inside and outside linebacker. With the Titans, he can settle into the strongside spot over the tight end and play.

“Akeem has kind of bounced around a little bit. He played some defensive end in college, played some linebacker, played inside, played outside,” Titans linebackers coach Frank Bush said. “He’s still learning to be a good solid outside linebacker, and on top of that, we’ve started to give him nickel stuff. There’s just a lot of learning, a lot of new stuff for him. He’s taken on the stuff in our base package. He’s learned that, and he’s kind of owned that information. Now he’s moving forward with our nickel stuff.”

The Titans moved Ayers into the nickel partly because they wanted to get more from a guy they consider one of their better playmakers. It has paid off, as Ayers now has 54 tackles, two sacks and six quarterback pressures.

“Since I’m able to stay in the game more, I’m able to get a feel for the game. When you’re in and out, it’s hard for me personally to get a feel for the game,” Ayers said. “But when you’re in on third down and you get the opportunity to rush the quarterback or drop into coverage, you get the opportunity to do more things. . I’ve always believed in myself, but it’s just taken time to prove to them that I know the defense and that they can trust me in the game.”

There are still the occasional rough moments, but the plays the rookies have made have outweighed their mistakes.

“It’s a long way to go. Those guys are a work in progress,” Munchak said. “It’s their rookie years and they are learning a lot and seeing a lot of things for the first time. So it’s encouraging what we are seeing, but it is an opportunity for the guys to make a lot more plays the more they play.”

Notes: Five Titans sat out Wednesday’s practice nursing injuries, while three others were limited. Those out: center Eugene Amano (hip), cornerback Tommie Campbell (left shoulder), McCarthy (knee), Barrett Ruud (groin) and tackle David Stewart (calf). … Players who were limited were tight end Jared Cook (concussion) and defensive ends Jason Jones (knee) and Derrick Morgan (ankle). … All except Ruud are expected to return to practice soon and have a chance to play Sunday at Buffalo.

Story created Dec 01, 2011 – 00:36:44 EST.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – When the Tennessee Titans went into the draft in April, one of their main objectives was to improve the linebacker position. Even the Titans are surprised at finding a solution so soon among this year’s draft class.

Rookie linebackers Akeem Ayers, a second-round pick from UCLA, and Colin McCarthy, a fourth-rounder from Miami, have stepped in and played so well for Tennessee that they now rarely leave the field. They play not only in the base defence, but in Tennessee’s nickel package.

Ayers was inserted into the lineup as a strongside linebacker from the moment the Titans drafted him, while Tennessee signed free agent Barrett Ruud to a one-year contract to man the middle until McCarthy got some experience.

Due to a groin injury Ruud suffered Nov. 6 against Cincinnati, McCarthy has gotten his opportunity much earlier than anticipated. Ayers’ role has slowly increased as he has learned the nuances of the defensive scheme.

“I think it’s real encouraging to see someone develop as quickly as all of the sudden (McCarthy) is in a short period,” Titans coach Mike Munchak said. “Akeem is the same way, and we are starting to try to use Akeem more on third down. So he is getting more reps. … We are adding more to his plate because he is ready for that now. It is exciting to watch your young players get better.”

Since getting regular playing time three weeks ago, McCarthy has been a key factor in the defence’s success. In those three games, he has 33 tackles and had his first career interception that preserved Sunday’s 23-17 win over Tampa Bay. For the year has five tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

For McCarthy, it’s just part of the job description as a middle linebacker.

“We need to make impact plays throughout the game. There are a lot of plays out there to be made, and playing middle linebacker, when you’ve got the opportunity, then you’ve got to take advantage of them,” he said.

McCarthy has proven to a quick study, too, as his interception came from an adjustment on a play the Bucs ran earlier on a pass to tight end Kellen Winslow.

“It was a play we went through in practice. Earlier in the game, they kind of did that 10-yard (pattern) and just kind of sat there, so it was just a matter of time before they did the shake and tried to hit us deep,” he said. “Coach (Jerry) Gray had a great game plan. We went over that this week, and when they throw it at you, you’ve just got to catch it. That was my main focus.”

Ayers’ main focus has been settling into one spot and learning the system on the fly. At UCLA, he spent some time at defensive end, and played both inside and outside linebacker. With the Titans, he can settle into the strongside spot over the tight end and play.

“Akeem has kind of bounced around a little bit. He played some defensive end in college, played some linebacker, played inside, played outside,” Titans linebackers coach Frank Bush said. “He’s still learning to be a good solid outside linebacker, and on top of that, we’ve started to give him nickel stuff. There’s just a lot of learning, a lot of new stuff for him. He’s taken on the stuff in our base package. He’s learned that, and he’s kind of owned that information. Now he’s moving forward with our nickel stuff.”

The Titans moved Ayers into the nickel partly because they wanted to get more from a guy they consider one of their better playmakers. It has paid off, as Ayers now has 54 tackles, two sacks and six quarterback pressures.

“Since I’m able to stay in the game more, I’m able to get a feel for the game. When you’re in and out, it’s hard for me personally to get a feel for the game,” Ayers said. “But when you’re in on third down and you get the opportunity to rush the quarterback or drop into coverage, you get the opportunity to do more things. . I’ve always believed in myself, but it’s just taken time to prove to them that I know the defence and that they can trust me in the game.”

There are still the occasional rough moments, but the plays the rookies have made have outweighed their mistakes.

“It’s a long way to go. Those guys are a work in progress,” Munchak said. “It’s their rookie years and they are learning a lot and seeing a lot of things for the first time. So it’s encouraging what we are seeing, but it is an opportunity for the guys to make a lot more plays the more they play.”

Notes: Five Titans sat out Wednesday’s practice nursing injuries, while three others were limited. Those out: centre Eugene Amano (hip), cornerback Tommie Campbell (left shoulder), McCarthy (knee), Barrett Ruud (groin) and tackle David Stewart (calf). … Players who were limited were tight end Jared Cook (concussion) and defensive ends Jason Jones (knee) and Derrick Morgan (ankle). … All except Ruud are expected to return to practice soon and have a chance to play Sunday at Buffalo.

The Titans have a roster exemption for star running back Chris Johnson.

Before Saturday’s deadline to trim rosters to 53 players, Tennessee placed receiver Kevin Curtis and offensive tackle Adam Terry on injured reserve, and placed receiver Yamon Figurs and cornerback Pete Ittersagen on the waived-injured list . They reached an injury settlement with defensive end Jacob Ford, who struggled to stay healthy since being drafted in the sixth round in 2007.

Tennessee also waived receiver Justin Gage, safety Robert Johnson, cornerback Frank Walker, guard Ryan Durand and defensive end Pannel Egboh.

With the release of Johnson, the Titans now have cut three draft picks from last year’s class in the past two days. Tennessee waived sixth-round pick Myron Rolle and linebacker Rennie Curran, a third-round pick, on Friday. But they kept all nine of this year’s draft picks, including a pair of seventh-rounders in defensive tackle Zach Clayton from Auburn and cornerback Tommie Campbell of Division II California (Pa.).

Safeties Jordan Babineaux and Anthony Smith, signed during training camp, also stuck through the cuts. Reinfeldt said that they will be looking at any chance to upgrade the roster for new coach Mike Munchak.

“With 17 new players on this year’s roster, I think we have upgraded a number of positional groups with a combination of free agents and rookies,” Reinfeldt said.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.