Titans vs. Saints: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

With Chris Johnson still having contract issues heading into their final preseason game, the Titans have to be concerned with the very real possibility their best player will not be in action to start the season.

Both the Titans and Saints are 2-1 to start the preseason, but the Saints certainly have a brighter looking future. They are fine-tuning their already stellar offense in hopes of returning to the Super Bowl.

The Titans are in disarray and trying to work in a new quarterback, cope with defensive losses, transition into a new coaching regime and figure out some way to get their superstar back on the field.

This game will be telling of just how dominant the Saints can be this year and if the Titans will have any chance of saving their season if CJ2K continues to hold out.

In order to elaborate on what to watch for, here's a breakdown of what lies ahead.

Where: Louisiana Superdome

When: Thursday, September 1st, 8:00 PM EST

Watch: Streaming on NFL.com (paid package now $4.99)

Listen: 104.5 The Zone (Local, Tennessee)

Titans' Key Addition: Matt Hasselbeck

Matt Hasselbeck is exactly the veteran mentor the Titans needed to bring in to help along Jake Locker. He gives the offense an experienced presence and a fearless leader. He's fragile and not nearly the quarterback he once was, but he's the perfect guy to hold over the QB spot for the time being.

Saints' Key Addition: Darren Sproles

The Saints may have found a new change-of-pace back and special teams nightmare in Darren Sproles. He softens the blow of losing Reggie Bush, but he doesn't pose quite the same threat that Bush did. How much attention he can command from opposing defenses will be a huge factor in the efficiency of the Saints offense.

Titans' Biggest Loss: Chris Johnson

Calling this a loss may be a bit misleading. He's still on the roster, but this ugly holdout isn't showing a light at the end of the tunnel. On the brink of September, that's never a good thing. Johnson doesn't just want elite running back pay, he wants elite playmaker pay. Without Johnson, that offense doesn't move. Him being MIA is the worst case scenario for the team.

Saints Biggest Loss: Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush cannot be replaced. He's not a feature back, but he's the best change-of-pace/ special teams threat in the game. The Saints did their best to replace him by signing Sproles, but their days of having a home run threat that forces defenses to watch him every time he enters the game are over. Bush is one of the best return men in the game and though he wasn't worth the money to the Saints, he's going to be sorely missed.

What They're Saying:

Mike Munchak

"I think it will come down to the running backs we have, What shape is Ringer in? That will be a factor in this whole thing. Jamie, we have confidence in—more confidence than we thought we would have at this point, than we would normally have in a rookie. But like I said before, if we have two guys, and if Chris is not with us for whatever reason, then yes, we are going to have to obviously do something there."

The Titans are at the point where alternative plans are necessary. They can't go into the season with the running back situation like it is. A veteran back is a must if Johnson doesn't show, and they aren't going to have the luxury of getting him acclimated to the offense on such short notice.

Malcolm Jenkins

"We feel, as a defense, we're right on the brink of greatness," Jenkins says. "We think we have the pieces to do it."

This is a small quote that says a lot. Last year the Saints looked pitiful defensively in the postseason. One Marshawn Lynch run highlighted all of their defensive shortcomings and made it clear that change was in order. They're offense is already elite. If their defense can take a step forward, they could be on the verge of another Super Bowl. They don't have to achieve "greatness" to be successful.

Titans Player to Watch: Kenny Britt

Is Kenny Britt worth the headache? He isn't a good character guy and has proven to be a huge distraction. Even so, he's their best playmaker. Guys like Randy Moss have been able to leave their off-the-field issues behind them and excel on Sundays. Britt is a diamond in the rough without CJ2K on the field. Can he carry the load despite his legal woes?

Saints Player to Watch: Aubrayo Franklin

When he's at his best, Aubrayo Franklin can look like an elite defensive tackle. In 2009, he was considered a Pro Bowl snub. As one of the best 3-4 noses in football that year, he seemed primed for a huge year in 2010. He was a huge letdown, as he put forth a forgettable season and was a huge part of the regression in San Francisco.

Which Franklin are the Saints getting? Will it be the Franklin who dominated the trenches in 2009 or let his contract issues get in the way of his play in 2010? If Franklin shows up in 2009 for, he's going to be a huge lift for the Saints in 2011.

Matchup to Watch: Cortland Finnegan vs. Marques Colston

Cortland Finnegan sure does talk like a No. 1 corner, but aside from one great year he hasn't produced like one. Finnegan has had problems with big receivers in the past, and not just the ones who beat him down on national television.

Marques Colston isn't a top-flight receiver, but he's going to be hard for Finnegan to handle. A solid outing from Colston will point to lingering issues in the Titans secondary.

Titans Position Battle: Matt Hasselbeck vs. Jake Locker

Many people aren't sold on either one of these guys. The Titans reached for Locker in the draft and Hasselbeck isn't in top form. Locker still needs to develop behind Hasselbeck, but Hassebeck's season could be cut short by injury once again. The Titans need one of these guys to answer the call. They don't need to wait until mid-season to make the decision easier for the Titans.

Saints Position Battle: Mark Ingram vs. Pierre Thomas

Mark Ingram was the Saints first-round pick for a reason. The guy is a serious weapon and brings an entirely new dimension to the offense. The pass-happy offense they run takes a guy out of the box, making life easy for whichever back is carrying the ball.

Pierre Thomas is a significant notch below Ingram from a talent perspective. He's a product of the offense and if he wants to continue to be a factor in the offense, he'll need to prove that the Saints benefit from allowing Thomas to eat into Ingram's carries.

Key Storyline: Chris Johnson In Danger of Missing Week 1

It's hard not to beat this storyline to death. The best player on the Titans and one of the best running backs in the league might not be ready to go in Week 1. The offense struggled with Johnson on the field at the end of last year. Starting the season without him would pose an uphill battle. With the AFC South fairly wide open, Johnson's holdout couldn't have come at a worse time.

Score Prediction: Saints 28, Titans 20

The Titans have done considerably well in preseason thus far. What would be a regular season mismatch seems to be shaping up to be a close preseason matchup. The Titans have done well against the Saints recently, but a New Orleans victory seems like the obvious result here.