Where: LP Field, Nashville, Tenn., (natural grass, outdoors)
When: 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Spread: Bears by 4
Forecast: Partly cloudy with temperatures in the low 60s. Winds of nine miles per hour and a 20 percent chance of rain.
Records: Titans (3-5, AFC South: 0-2); Bears (6-1, NFC North: 1-1)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Nov. 9, 2008. Titans 21-14; Nov. 14, 2004. Bears 19-17 (OT). Series record: Series tied 5-5.
What matters: The Titans have two games before their bye and must win both to have a realistic shot at making the playoffs. Tennessee will arguably face the top defense in the league. The Bears rank in the top 10 in the league in at least a dozen defensive categories, including first against the run (77.9 yards per game), second in takeaways (23) and third in red-zone percentage (36.8 percent). Chicago is riding a five-game winning streak, in which it has held opponents under 10 points three times. Last week, the Titans allowed a season-low 19 points and still lost.
Who matters: Matt Hasselbeck. Devastated by last week’s loss, the ultra-competitive quarterback called last Sunday night one of the roughest he’s had when searching for answers after a defeat. Hasselbeck says the Bears defense isn’t overly complicated but is extremely experienced and well-coached. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback will be particularly wary of Bears’ DBs Tim Jennings and Charles Tillman -- a pair of risk-taking corners who are known for jumping routes to force interceptions. The Bears already have returned six interceptions for touchdowns. Chicago has a reputation for bringing S Chris Conte into the box to help in run-support. If Hasselbeck can avoid the Bears’ menacing pass rush, the Titans may be able to take downfield shots with Kenny Britt and Kendall Wright. Hasselbeck will also look to involve TE Jared Cook, who reportedly asked for a trade through a representative earlier in the week.
Key matchups: CBs Alterraun Verner, Jason McCourty vs. Bears WR Brandon Marshall; LT Michael Roos vs. Bears DE Julius Peppers. At 6-5, 230, Marshall is one of the most physical, imposing receivers in the league. He is particularly effective on intermediate dig routes across the middle. He also uses a speed-cut to get in and out of breaks as well as any receiver in the league. Verner and McCourty are prepared after facing Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson and Mike Wallace this season. Marshall already has 50 catches or 39.6 percent of the Bears' receptions. Vikings WR Percy Harvin (35.1 percent), Colts WR Reggie Wayne (33.7 percent) and Giants WR Victor Cruz (28.1 percent) all have a lower percentage of their team's total receptions. Peppers will use his explosive speed to try to beat Roos upfield, then will try to counter his outside rush by using his long wingspan to cut inside.
Injuries of note: Jake Locker (shoulder) is listed as doubtful but won't dress barring a last-minute injury to Hasselbeck or Rusty Smith. Starting RG Leroy Harris and RT David Stewart are both nursing knee injuries after being injured on the same play on the opening drive last week. Stewart practiced on Friday and is listed as questionable, while Harris is out. RG Deuce Lutui will receive his first start as a Titan. Lutui was inactive for the past seven weeks after signing with Tennessee in Week 2. Bears LB Lance Briggs has been limited by a toe injury.
Inside stuff: Tillman is usually lined up against bigger receivers and will likely draw Britt, and Jennings typically faces smaller ones and could be matched up against Nate Washington. Tillman held Calvin Johnson in check in Week 7 by preventing the Lions All-Pro wide receiver from getting over the top. Britt believes he can win the matchup after indicating on Thursday that Jennings has more fluid hips than Tillman.
Connections: Bears QB Jay Cutler set more than 20 school records at Vanderbilt in his four years as a starter (2002-05). Cutler played alongside Bears WR Earl Bennett in 2005, when both earned All-SEC honors. Bennett made the All-SEC team in all three of his seasons (2005-07) with the Commodores. Titans’ defensive coordinator Jerry Gray served as the secondary coach with the Seahawks in 2010 when Bears QB coach Jeremy Bates was the offensive coordinator under Pete Carroll. Lutui will line up against Bears NT Stephen Paea. Lutui and Paea both grew up in Tonga and attended Snow Junior College (Utah). "I get to bump heads with another coconut," Lutui said.
Stats you should know: The Bears have been stifling on runs in the direction of DE Israel Idonije and Paea. Chicago is ranked second in the league in defending runs behind the opposing right tackle (2.64 yards per carry), according to NFLGSIS.com. The Titans, meanwhile, have only gained 2.0 ypc on runs in the direction of Stewart (31st in the league). Tennessee has been more effective up the middle (5.26 ypc) and behind LG Steve Hutchinson (7.29 ypc). Chicago has surrendered 11 sacks in its previous two games. All five of the Bears’ starting offensive linemen allowed a sack last week vs. Carolina.
Record watch: K Rob Bironas needs two consecutive extra points to tie Al Del Greco’s franchise record of 229 consecutive PATs without a miss.
Looking ahead: The Titans travel to Miami next week to face the Dolphins before receiving a much-needed week off to rest close to a dozen players with nagging injuries. Tennessee closes the season with four of their final six games against divisional foes.
Prediction: Bears 24, Titans 20.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Tennessee Titanse, follow Matt Rybaltowski @CBSTitans.
