TITANS (5-6) VS. BEARS (2-8)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M., SOLDIER FIELD, CHICAGO uTV: CBS, DIRECTV 707
Announcers: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots
About the Titans: Following the season’s biggest win, Tennessee laid another egg against the Indianapolis Colts.
continued his sizzling sophomore season with two more touchdowns, without a giveaway, upping his season total to 25 touchdowns to 12 turnovers for a sterling 100.3 passer rating. Yet the NFL’s No. 23 scoring defense hasn’t held an opponent to fewer than 20 points since Week 5, keeping Tennessee mired in mediocrity.
About the Bears: Chicago’s season has reached its breaking point. LB
has been suspended for four games for a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, joining suspended franchise WR The Chicago Tribune is reporting QB (shoulder) could be done for the season, and Pro Bowl RG
(ankle) is on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Top pick who was carted off the field on a backboard with a neck injury, was released from the hospital to return home with the team, an encouraging sign. Chicago’s best remaining blocker, LG (ankle), top remaining pass
(foot), and nickel (concussion) exited early catcher, TE
Sunday.
Matchup to watch: Titans TE Delanie Walker vs. Bears S Adrian Amos: Amos dropped an easy interception Sunday and was overmatched on a 9-yard touchdown by Giants TE Will Tye. A tougher challenge looms in Walker, Mariota’s favorite target and leading receiver, whose 607 yards is third among NFL tight ends.
Player to watch: Bears LB Danny Trevathan: Chicago’s second-leading tackler (behind suspended Freeman), will be responsible for helping ensure Mariota doesn’t do damage outside the pocket. Freeman has been the Bears’ most consistent defender, so Trevathan will need to step up.
Number crunching: 1,000. Titans RB DeMarco Murray, the AFC’s leading rusher,
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
has 1,000 yards on 212 carries. It’s the third time in six seasons he has reached that milestone.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. War of attrition: Coach John Fox is fond of saying, “No one comes to rescue you” regarding injuries, but the Bears, as battered as any NFL club, likely can’t win without some unsung players stepping up. Start with backup Gs (right) and (left). They’ll need to contain Tennessee’s best defender, Pro Bowl DT Jurrell Casey.
2. Murray and Mariota: Tennessee will lament the fourth-and-1 it couldn’t pick up behind Murray with the Titans driving late Sunday. It was just the second time since Week 1 that they have been held below 100 rushing yards, both in the past two losses. Chicago, even without top run-stuffer NT
has remained stout — though the Bears haven’t seen a smash-mouth group such as Tennessee (No. 3 in rushing) since the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3.
3. Play-calling: The Titans have the running game the Bears have repeatedly vowed to create. Oddly, Chicago refuses to consistently feed rookie who’s averaging 5.2 yards a clip but is the recipient of more than 17 carries just twice in his seven starts. With injuries piling up, will offensive coordinator consistently maximize his best remaining option? Tennessee is solid against the run but not impenetrable — 4.4 yards a carry permitted over the past four games.
Arthur Arkush