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NASHVILLE, Tenn. —** The Tennessee Titans (7-4) return home this week to face the AFC South rival Houston Texans (4-7). Kickoff at Nissan Stadium (capacity 69,143) is scheduled for noon CST on Sunday, Dec. 3.
The Titans hope for a split in the twice-a-year series. In the first matchup, played Oct. 1 at NRG Stadium, the Texans won 57-14. The Titans own a narrow 16-15 advantage in the all-time series.
**
THE BROADCAST**
The game will be televised regionally on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. Play-by-play announcer Greg Gumbel and analyst Trent Green will call the action, and Jamie Erdahl will report from the sidelines.
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, gameday host Rhett Bryan and sideline reporter Jonathan Hutton.
**
TITANS GRAB SHARE OF AFC SOUTH LEAD **
This week's contest will be the only home game for the Titans over a five-week period. They suffered a loss at Pittsburgh on Nov. 16 but bounced back with a win last week at Indianapolis. After hosting the Texans they will travel for games at Arizona and San Francisco.
Against the Colts, running back DeMarco Murray scored the go-ahead touchdown with less than six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to help the Titans to a 20-16 victory. Quarterback Marcus Mariota, who earlier in the contest threw a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Delanie Walker, was credited with his eighth career game-winning drive and his fourth of 2017—all of which have come in the last six games.
Meanwhile, the Titans defense totaled eight sacks against the Colts, which tied for the third-largest total in franchise history and the most since an eight-sack game at Buffalo on Nov. 10, 1985. Defensive end DaQuan Jones led the way with a pair of sacks. The eight sacks fell one short of the franchise record of nine, accomplished on two occasions— against the New York Titans on Oct. 14, 1962, and against the Cincinnati Bengals Oct. 31, 1971.
The win, coupled with a loss by the Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4) at Arizona, put the Titans and Jaguars into a tie for first place in the division. Due to their victory in Jacksonville on Sept. 17, the Titans currently own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Jaguars, who visit Nissan Stadium to close the regular season Dec. 31. The Jaguars host the Colts this week (Sunday, noon CT).
*THE TEXANS *
The Texans have a short week to prepare and travel to Tennessee. They are coming off a 23-16 loss to Baltimore on Monday Night Football. Prior to that, they knocked of fthe Arizona Cardinals 31-21, marking the sixth time in 2017 they scored at least 30 points.
Since their Oct. 1 victory over the Titans, the Texans have endured a number of significant injuries. Quarterback Deshaun Watson, outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus and defensive end J.J. Watt all landed on injured reserve since that meeting, among others. Watson, the team's first-round pick in 2017, passed for 1,699 yards and 19 touchdowns with a 103.0 passer rating prior to his season-ending knee injury.
With Watson out, the Texans have turned to veteran Tom Savage at quarterback. Through the club's clash with the Cardinals, Savage's season totals included 66 completions on 125 attempts for 732 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.
The Texans won the AFC South in 2016, finishing with their second consecutive division title under head coach Bill O'Brien, who was named to his current post in 2014. O'Brien became the 14th NFL coach since 1978 to begin his head coaching career with three consecutive winning seasons.
*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.
TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series against the Houston Texans. (AP Photos, Donn Jones)
Tennessee Titans tackle Jack Conklin (78) pass blocks in action against the Houston Texans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball during a regular season Week 13 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
A general fisheye view of Nissan Stadium from midfield home of the Tennessee Titans before a regular season Week 13 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) runs for yardage after a catch in action against the Houston Texans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims (36) make a game sealing interception while covering Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in action Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Delanie Walker, tight end de los Titans de Tennessee, anota pese al intento de derrribo por parte de Kevin Johnson, de los Texans de Houston, en la segunda mitad del encuentro realizado el domingo 3 de diciembre de 2017 (AP Foto/James Kenney)
FILE - In this Dec. 3, 2017, file photo, Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans never have played at University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, but Mariota has, though. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) is tackled by Tennessee Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) in action Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims (36) make a game sealing interception while covering Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in action Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims (36) make a game sealing interception while covering Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in action Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Houston Texans in action against the Tennessee Titans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball during a regular season Week 13 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) runs for yardage after a catch in action against the Houston Texans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, file photo, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) leaves Houston Texans outside linebacker Gimel President (53) behind as he runs 75-yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. Henry says he didn't want to be caught from behind. Well, nobody caught the Tennessee running back as the Heisman Trophy broke loose for a 75-yard run and was clocked at 21.64 mph, tied for the fifth-fastest ball carrier this season. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
The Tennessee Titans line of scrimmage against the Houston Texans during a regular season Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) carries the ball as he scrambles during a regular season Week 13 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans' kick returner Adoree' Jackson (25) breaks a tackle by Houston Texans' Brian Peters (52) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) scores a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2018, file photo, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) tries to get past Houston Texans defensive back Johnathan Joseph (24) in an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. Quarterback Marcus Mariota has been carrying the Tennessee run game during two of the Titans' last three victories in this winning streak. They hope to get Henry and Dion Lewis going against Buffalo after facing some very stingy defenses to start the season. (AP Photo/James Kenney, File)
Houston Texans center Nick Martin (66) prepares to snap the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans center Ben Jones (60) prepares to snap the ball against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson plays against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) intercepts a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Also defending for the Titans is defensive back Kevin Byard (31). (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) scores a touchdown ahead of Houston Texans defensive tackle Brandon Dunn (92) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.(AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis is chased by Houston Texans defensive end Angelo Blackson (97) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) intercepts a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, on the ground, in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) scores a touchdown ahead of Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) runs a route against Houston Texans defensive back Johnathan Joseph (24) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) kicks a 42-yard field goal against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Holding is Brett Kern (6) and defending for the Texans is Johnson Bademosi (23). (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hugs center Ben Jones (60) before an NFL football game between the Titans and the Houston Texans Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) passes against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Dane Cruikshank (29) gets past Houston Texans defensive back Natrell Jamerson (31) as Cruikshank scores a touchdown after catching a pass on a fake punt play in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Fans celebrate with Tennessee Titans' Dane Cruikshank (29) after he scored a touchdown on a fake punt against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs for a touchdown after catching a pass on a fake punt play against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert passes against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Dane Cruikshank catches a pass on a fake punt play as he runs 66 yards for a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Fans and teammates celebrate with Tennessee Titans' Dane Cruikshank (29) after he scored a touchdown on a fake punt against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
