2011 Tennessee Titans season

2011 Tennessee Titans season
Owner	Bud Adams
General manager	Mike Reinfeldt
Head coach	Mike Munchak
Home field	LP Field
Results
Record	9–7
Division place	2nd AFC South
Playoff finish	Did not qualify

The 2011 Tennessee Titans season was the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League (NFL), the 52nd overall and the 15th in the state of Tennessee. It also marked the first season under head coach Mike Munchak, replacing longtime head coach Jeff Fisher, who resigned on January 27 after 17 seasons. The team improved on their 6–10 record from 2010 and finished tied with the Cincinnati Bengals for the last playoff spot, but lost the tiebreaker due to their 24–17 loss to the Bengals in Week 9, missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season.

Offseason

2011 draft class

Main article: 2011 NFL draft

Round	Selection	Player	Position	College
1	8	Jake Locker	QB	Washington
2	39	Akeem Ayers	LB	UCLA
3	77	Jurrell Casey	DT	USC
4	109	Colin McCarthy	LB	Miami (FL)
5	142	Karl Klug	DE	Iowa
6	175	Byron Stingily	T	Louisville
7	212	Zach Clayton	DT	Auburn

Coaching staff

2011 Tennessee Titans staff
	Front office Founder/owner/chairman/president/CEO – Bud Adams Executive vice president/general manager – Mike Reinfeldt Vice president of player personnel – Ruston Webster Vice president of football operations – Lake Dawson Vice president of football administration – Vincent Marino Head coaches Head coach – Mike Munchak Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Chris Palmer Quarterbacks/pass game coordinator – Dowell Loggains Running backs – Jim Skipper Wide receivers – Dave Ragone Tight ends – John Zernhelt Offensive line – Bruce Matthews Offensive line assistant – Art Valero Offensive assistant/quality control – Charles London			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Jerry Gray Defensive line – Tracy Rocker Linebackers – Frank Bush Secondary – Marcus Robertson Secondary assistant – Curtis Fuller Senior assistant – Dave McGinnis Defensive assistant/quality control – Arthur Smith Special teams coaches Special teams – Alan Lowry Special teams assistant – Chet Parlavecchio Strength and Conditioning Coaches Assistant head coach/strength and conditioning – Steve Watterson

Final roster

2011 Tennessee Titans roster

Quarterbacks (QB)  8 Matt Hasselbeck 10 Jake Locker 11 Rusty Smith Running backs (RB) 45 Ahmard Hall FB 23 Jamie Harper 28 Chris Johnson 44 Quinn Johnson FB Wide receivers (WR) 82 Donnie Avery 87 Lavelle Hawkins 83 Marc Mariani RS 85 Nate Washington 17 Damian Williams Tight ends (TE) 89 Jared Cook 86 Daniel Graham 88 Craig Stevens

Offensive linemen (OL) 54 Eugene Amano C 64 Leroy Harris G 60 Kevin Matthews C 66 Mike Otto T 71 Michael Roos T 73 Jake Scott G 76 David Stewart T 68 Byron Stingily T 61 Fernando Velasco C/G Defensive linemen (DL) 98 Dave Ball DE 99 Jurrell Casey DT 69 Zach Clayton DT 95 William Hayes DE 91 Jason Jones DE 97 Karl Klug DT 94 Sen'Derrick Marks DT 90 Derrick Morgan DE 96 Malcolm Sheppard DT 93 Shaun Smith DT

Linebackers (LB) 56 Akeem Ayers OLB 57 Patrick Bailey OLB 52 Colin McCarthy MLB 51 Gerald McRath OLB 50 Kevin Malast MLB 59 Tim Shaw OLB 92 Will Witherspoon OLB Defensive backs (DB) 26 Jordan Babineaux SS 37 Tommie Campbell CB 31 Cortland Finnegan CB 33 Michael Griffin FS 35 Chris Hawkins CB 24 Chris Hope SS 32 Robert Johnson FS 30 Jason McCourty CB 20 Alterraun Verner CB Special teams 58 Ken Amato LS  2 Rob Bironas K  6 Brett Kern P

Practice squad 36 Herb Donaldson RB 77 Ryan Durand G 79 Pannel Egboh DE 80 Cameron Graham TE 19 James Kirkendoll WR 70 Troy Kropog T 14 Michael Preston WR 22 Terrence Wheatley CB Reserve 18 Kenny Britt WR (IR) 29 Ryan Mouton CB (IR) 15 O.J. Murdock WR (IR) 21 Javon Ringer RB (IR) 55 Barrett Ruud MLB (IR) 25 Anthony Smith FS (IR) Rookies in italics 53 active, 6 reserve, 8 practice squad

Preseason

Schedule

The Titans' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011.

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	August 13	Minnesota Vikings	W 14–3	1–0	LP Field	Recap
2	August 20	at St. Louis Rams	L 16–17	1–1	Edward Jones Dome	Recap
3	August 27	Chicago Bears	W 14–13	2–1	LP Field	Recap
4	September 1	at New Orleans Saints	W 32–9	3–1	Louisiana Superdome	Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	September 11	at Jacksonville Jaguars	L 14–16	0–1	EverBank Field	Recap
2	September 18	Baltimore Ravens	W 26–13	1–1	LP Field	Recap
3	September 25	Denver Broncos	W 17–14	2–1	LP Field	Recap
4	October 2	at Cleveland Browns	W 31–13	3–1	Cleveland Browns Stadium	Recap
5	October 9	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 17–38	3–2	Heinz Field	Recap
6	Bye
7	October 23	Houston Texans	L 7–41	3–3	LP Field	Recap
8	October 30	Indianapolis Colts	W 27–10	4–3	LP Field	Recap
9	November 6	Cincinnati Bengals	L 17–24	4–4	LP Field	Recap
10	November 13	at Carolina Panthers	W 30–3	5–4	Bank of America Stadium	Recap
11	November 20	at Atlanta Falcons	L 17–23	5–5	Georgia Dome	Recap
12	November 27	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 23–17	6–5	LP Field	Recap
13	December 4	at Buffalo Bills	W 23–17	7–5	Ralph Wilson Stadium	Recap
14	December 11	New Orleans Saints	L 17–22	7–6	LP Field	Recap
15	December 18	at Indianapolis Colts	L 13–27	7–7	Lucas Oil Stadium	Recap
16	December 24	Jacksonville Jaguars	W 23–17	8–7	LP Field	Recap
17	January 1	at Houston Texans	W 23–22	9–7	Reliant Stadium	Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week One: Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Titans	0	0	7	7	14
Jaguars	7	3	3	3	16

at EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

• Date: September 11
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 90° F (Rain Clouds)
• Game attendance: 61,619
• Referee: Mike Carey
• TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts

Game information

First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers TEN – Matt Hasselbeck – 21/34, 263 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT JAC – Luke McCown – 17/24, 175 yards Top rushers TEN – Chris Johnson – 9 rushes, 24 yards JAC – Maurice Jones-Drew – 24 rushes, 97 yards, 1 TD Top receivers TEN – Kenny Britt – 5 receptions, 136 yards, 2 TD JAC – Mike Thomas – 8 receptions, 55 yards Top tacklers TEN – Barrett Ruud – 8 tackles, 6 assists JAC – Dawan Landry – 6 tackles, 2 assists

Week 2: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week Two: Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ravens	0	10	0	3	13
Titans	0	10	10	6	26

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: September 18
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C) (Mostly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 69,143
• Referee: Clete Blakeman
• TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers BAL – Joe Flacco TEN – Matt Hasselbeck Top rushers BAL – Ray Rice TEN – Chris Johnson Top receivers BAL – Ray Rice TEN – Kenny Britt Top tacklers BAL – Lardarius Webb TEN – Dave Ball

Week 3: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Three: Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	7	0	7	0	14
Titans	0	10	0	7	17

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: September 25
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C) (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 69,143
• Referee: John Parry
• TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers DEN – TEN – Top rushers DEN – TEN – Top receivers DEN – TEN – Top tacklers DEN – TEN –

Week 4: at Cleveland Browns

Week Four: Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Titans	7	14	10	0	31
Browns	3	3	0	7	13

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

• Date: October 2
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C) (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 66,240
• Referee: Pete Morelli
• TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers TEN – CLE – Top rushers TEN – CLE – Top receivers TEN – CLE – Top tacklers TEN – CLE –

Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Five: Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Titans	3	0	7	7	17
Steelers	7	14	7	10	38

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: October 9
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C) (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 63,875
• Referee: Walt Anderson
• TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf

Game information

First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers TEN – Matt Hasselbeck – 29/49, 262 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT PIT – Ben Roethlisberger – 24/34, 228 Yards, 5 TD, 1 INT Top rushers TEN – Chris Johnson – 14 Rushes, 51 Yards, 1 TD PIT – Jonathan Dwyer – 11 Rushes, 107 Yards Top receivers TEN – Nate Washington – 5 Receptions, 69 Yards PIT – Mike Wallace – 6 Receptions, 82 Yards, 1 TD Top tacklers TEN – Jason McCourty – 8 tackles, 6 assists PIT – James Farrior – 9 tackles, 4 assists

Coming off their road win over the Browns, the Titans flew to Heinz Field for a Week 5 intraconference duel with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tennessee threw the game's opening punch in the first quarter with a 29-yard field goal from kicker Rob Bironas, but the Steelers answered with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completing an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Heath Miller. Pittsburgh added onto their lead in the second with Roethlisberger completing a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hines Ward and a 1-yard touchdown pass to fullback David Johnson.

The Steelers continued their dominating performance in the third quarter with Roethlisberger completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Ward. The Titans would respond with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Chris Johnson, yet Pittsburgh came right back in the fourth quarter with kicker Shaun Suisham getting a 19-yard field goal. Tennessee tried to rally as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck found wide receiver Damian Williams on a 19-yard touchdown pass, but the Steelers closed out the game with Roethlisberger completing a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Wallace.

With the loss, the Titans fell to 3–2.

Week 7: vs. Houston Texans

Week Seven: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Texans	3	17	7	14	41
Titans	0	0	7	0	7

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: October 23
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C) (Mostly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 69,143
• Referee: Terry McAulay
• TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers HOU – Matt Schaub TEN – Matt Hasselbeck Top rushers HOU – Arian Foster TEN – Javon Ringer Top receivers HOU – Arian Foster TEN – Chris Johnson Top tacklers HOU – Brian Cushing TEN – Jason McCourty

Week 8: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week Eight: Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	0	0	3	7	10
Titans	3	17	0	7	27

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: October 30
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C) (Mostly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 69,143
• Referee: Jerome Boger
• TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots

Game information

First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers IND – Curtis Painter 26/49 250 yards, 2 INT TEN – Matt Hasselbeck 23/33 224 yards, 1 TD Top rushers IND – Curtis Painter 7 carries, 79 yards TEN – Javon Ringer 14 carries, 60 yards Top receivers IND – Pierre Garcon 7 catches, 66 yards TEN – Nate Washington 4 catches, 34 yards, 1 TD Top tacklers IND – Pat Angerer —10 tackles TEN – Jason McCourty and Cortland Finnegan —7 tackles

Week 9: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week Nine: Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	0	7	7	10	24
Titans	3	14	0	0	17

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: November 6
• Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C) (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 69,143
• Referee: Jeff Triplette
• TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert & Rich Gannon

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers CIN – TEN – Top rushers CIN – TEN – Top receivers CIN – TEN – Top tacklers CIN – TEN –

Week 10: at Carolina Panthers

Week Ten: Tennessee Titans at Carolina Panthers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Titans	14	3	3	10	30
Panthers	0	0	3	0	3

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

• Date: November 13
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C) (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 72,409
• Referee: Walt Coleman
• TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan & Solomon Wilcots

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers TEN – CAR – Top rushers TEN – CAR – Top receivers TEN – CAR – Top tacklers TEN – CAR –

Week 11: at Atlanta Falcons

Week Eleven: Tennessee Titans at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Titans	0	3	7	7	17
Falcons	7	6	10	0	23

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

• Date: November 20
• Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST/3:15 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
• Game attendance: 68,164
• Referee: John Parry
• TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers TEN – ATL – Top rushers TEN – ATL – Top receivers TEN – ATL – Top tacklers TEN – ATL –

Week 12: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Twelve: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tennessee Titans – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Buccaneers	3	7	7	0	17
Titans	7	3	0	13	23

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: November 27
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 44 °F (7 °C) (Rain)
• Game attendance: 69,143
• Referee: Bill Leavy
• TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale

Game information

First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers TB – Josh Freeman – 18/33, 199 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception TEN – Matt Hasselbeck – 19/34, 160 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions Top rushers TB – LeGarrette Blount – 20 rushes, 103 yards TEN – Chris Johnson – 23 rushes, 190 yards Top receivers TB – Mike Williams – 6 receptions, 84 yards, 1 touchdown TEN – Lavelle Hawkins – 5 receptions, 51 yards Top tacklers TB – Ronde Barber – 6 tackles, 1 assist TEN – Colin McCarthy – 7 tackles, 3 assists

Week 13: at Buffalo Bills

Week Thirteen: Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Titans	10	7	3	3	23
Bills	7	3	0	7	17

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

• Date: December 4
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C) (Mostly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 56,463
• Referee: Alberto Riveron
• TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Steve Beuerlein

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers TEN – BUF – Top rushers TEN – BUF – Top receivers TEN – BUF – Top tacklers TEN – BUF –

Week 14: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Fourteen: New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	3	3	3	13	22
Titans	0	3	7	7	17

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: December 11
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C) (Sunny)
• Game attendance: 69,143
• Referee: Mike Carey
• TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, & Pam Oliver

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers NO – TEN – Top rushers NO – TEN – Top receivers NO – TEN – Top tacklers NO – TEN –

Week 15: at Indianapolis Colts

Week Fifteen: Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Titans	0	6	0	7	13
Colts	3	0	14	10	27

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

• Date: December 18
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
• Game attendance: 64,271
• Referee: Pete Morelli
• TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers TEN – IND – Top rushers TEN – IND – Top receivers TEN – IND – Top tacklers TEN – IND –

Week 16: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week Sixteen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	7	3	0	7	17
Titans	10	7	3	3	23

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: December 24
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 47 °F (8 °C) (Partly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 69,143
• Referee: Gene Steratore
• TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers JAC – TEN – Top rushers JAC – TEN – Top receivers JAC – TEN – Top tacklers JAC – TEN –

With the win the Titans improved to 8–7. In order to secure a playoff spot the Tennessee Titans need a win at Houston in Week 17, combined with a Bengals loss, a Broncos win, and Raiders win. If either Cincinnati wins against Baltimore or Denver loses against Kansas City, the Titans will be eliminated from postseason contention.

Week 17: at Houston Texans

Week Seventeen: Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Titans	0	13	3	7	23
Texans	7	3	3	9	22

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

• Date: January 1
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game attendance: 71,512
• Referee: Ron Winter
• TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee & Steve Tasker

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers TEN – HOU – Top rushers TEN – HOU – Top receivers TEN – HOU – Top tacklers TEN – HOU –

With the win, the Titans finished the season 9–7 and would secure their first winning season since 2008. However, they were eliminated from postseason contention due to the Denver Broncos losing against the Kansas City Chiefs 7–3.

Standings

AFC South
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
(3) Houston Texans	10	6	0	.625	4–2	8–4	381	278	L3
Tennessee Titans	9	7	0	.563	3–3	7–5	325	317	W2
Jacksonville Jaguars	5	11	0	.313	3–3	4–8	243	329	W1
Indianapolis Colts	2	14	0	.125	2–4	2–10	243	430	L1