NASHVILLE — In a battle for first place in the AFC South, the Tennessee Titans (8-5) host the Houston Texans (8-5) this week at Nissan Stadium (capacity 69,143). Kickoff is scheduled for noon CST on Sunday, Dec. 15.
It is the first of two Titans-Texans contests in the final three weeks of the season. They will conclude the regular season against each other in Houston on Dec. 29. A sweep by either team will result in a division championship.
THE BROADCAST
This week's game will be regionally televised on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. The broadcast team includes play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz, analyst Tony Romo and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson.
Within the two teams' local television markets, fans can livestream the game on their mobile devices from the Titans app (iOS devices) and the Yahoo! Sports app (iOS and Android devices). Restrictions apply. For more information visit TitansOnline.com.
The Titans Radio Network, including Nashville flagship 104.5 The Zone, will carry the game across the Mid-South with the "Voice of the Titans" Mike Keith, analyst Dave McGinnis, sideline reporter Amie Wells and gameday hosts Rhett Bryan and Jonathan Hutton.
ESPN Radio will broadcast the game to a national audience. Play-by-play announcer Steve Levy, analyst Dusty Dvoracek and sideline reporter Dianna Russini have the call.
TITANS ON FOUR-GAME WINNING STREAK
The Titans traveled to Oakland last week and won their fourth consecutive game, defeating the Raiders 42-21. They now have won six of their last seven games to pull even with the Texans in the AFC South standings.
Against the Raiders, the Titans totaled 552 yards—the most by the franchise since Nov. 10, 1991 (583 vs. Dallas)—and averaged a franchise-record 9.36 yards per play.
Ryan Tannehill passed for 391 yards and three touchdowns with a 140.4 passer rating in the contest. His 118.5 season passer rating leads the NFL, as does his 9.8 average yards per attempt. He trails only New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees in completion percentage (73.4).
Tannehill's primary target in Oakland was rookie wide receiver A.J. Brown, who caught five passes for 153 yards. The duo connected on a pair of scores, including a 91-yarder that was the fourth-longest touchdown pass in franchise history and the longest since 1965.
Meanwhile, running back Derrick Henry recorded his fourth consecutive 100-yard game, totaling 103 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. With season totals that include 1,243 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, Henry is the NFL's second-leading rusher this season behind Cleveland's Nick Chubb.
The winner of this week's game takes over sole possession of first place in the AFC South with two games remaining in the regular season. The Texans travel to Tampa Bay in Week 16 prior to hosting the Titans in the finale. The 6-7 Indianapolis Colts are in third place in the division, followed by the 4-9 Jacksonville Jaguars.
TEXANS LOOK FOR FOURTH DIVISION TITLE UNDER O'BRIEN
The Texans, who have led or shared the lead in the AFC South in all but three weeks in 2019, hosted the Denver Broncos and fell by a final score of 38-24. Quarterback Deshaun Watson passed for 292 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
The Texans are trying to win their fourth division crown in six seasons under head coach Bill O'Brien. They won the AFC South in 2018 with an 11-5 record.
After O'Brien was appointed to his post in 2014, he hired Mike Vrabel from Ohio State to be the club's linebackers coach. Vrabel held the job until O'Brien promoted him to defensive coordinator in 2017, and a year later, Vrabel was hired as head coach of the Titans.
ANNUAL TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE
Prior to this week's game, fans are encouraged to participate in the annual U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Drive. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off with members of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve stationed outside of the gates at Nissan Stadium. All toys collected during the drive will be used in the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program and distributed to children in Middle Tennessee.
