NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans (0-0) begin the 2015 regular season this week with a road trip to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0). Kickoff at Raymond James Stadium (capacity 65,908) is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. EDT/3:25 p.m. CDT on Sunday, Sept. 13.
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THE BROADCAST**
This week's game will be televised regionally on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. Andrew Catalon will handle play-by-play duties, while Steve Tasker and Steve Beuerlein will serve as analysts.
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 Frank Wycheck, gameday host Rhett Bryan and sideline reporter Jonathan Hutton.
Additionally, Sports USA will broadcast the Titans-Buccaneers game to a national audience. Adam Amin (play-by-play) and John Robinson (analyst) will have the call.
*TOP TWO DRAFT PICKS MEET *
The quarterbacks scheduled to start in this week's game were the top two players selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, first pick Jameis Winston and second pick Marcus Mariota. They became the first two Heisman Trophy winners in history to be selected No. 1 and No. 2 in the same draft.
Since the "common draft era" began in 1967, quarterbacks have been selected with the first and second picks six times. This will be the third time one of those pairs has squared off as rookies (Drew Bledsoe and Rick Mirer in 1993; Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf in 1998) but the first time it has happened in Week 1.
Mariota entered the NFL after a record-breaking three seasons at the University of Oregon. He set nearly every major passing record for the school, totaling 10,796 career yards passing and 105 touchdown passes. He became one of four players in FBS history to pass for 10,000 yards and rush for 2,000 yards (2,237), joining Dan LeFevour, Robert Griffin III and Colin Kaepernick.
In his final season with the Ducks, Mariota won the Heisman Trophy as college football's best player and led his team to the College Football Playoff Championship Game. He passed for 4,454 yards and 42 touchdowns with only four interceptions, added 770 yards and 15 touchdowns as a runner.
Winston started 27 career games at Florida State, passing for 7,964 yards and 65 touchdowns. He won his first 26 starts to set an NCAA Division I record and led the Seminoles to a national championship in 2013, the same year he became the youngest player to ever win the Heisman.
The last time Mariota and Winston's teams played each other was the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, when Oregon defeated Florida State 59-20.
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TITANS READY FOR OPENER **
The Titans are looking for a fast start in 2015 under head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who enters his second season with the Titans and his eighth campaign as an NFL head coach. His squad finished the preseason with a 2-2 record after defeating the Minnesota Vikings 24-17 on Sept. 3.
Mariota's preseason included starts in all four contests, and he went 21-of-30 passing for 326 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His 70 percent completion rate and 10.9 yards per attempt led the NFL's rookies during the preseason, and his 102.9 passer rating finished behind only Green Bay's Brett Hundley.
Mariota is one of nine rookies on the Titans' 53-man roster, but several veterans are scheduled to make their Titans regular season debuts as well. The crop of free agents brought aboard during the offseason included Buffalo safety Da'Norris Searcy, Atlanta wide receiver Harry Douglas, Washington outside linebacker Brian Orakpo, San Francisco cornerback Perrish Cox, Kansas City tight end Anthony Fasano and Carolina tackle Byron Bell, all of whom are expected to see a significant number of snaps.
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TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (AP Photos)


























































































during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. The Titans defeated the Bucs 42-14. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, right, congratulates Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota after the Titans defeated the Buccaneers 42-14 during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) lines up under center Brian Schwenke (62) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. The Titans defeated the Bucs 42-14. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) signals during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tennessee Titans running back Bishop Sankey (20) is congratulated wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

Tennessee Titans running back Bishop Sankey (20) is congratulated by wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, shakes hands with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston after the Titans defeated the Buccaneers 42-14 during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) runs the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Johnthan Banks (27) attempts to stop him during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa , Fla. To the right is Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Kwon Alexander (58). (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) scores a touchdown as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Johnthan Banks (27) is late with the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks up as Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) is about to sack him during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. The Titans defeated the Bucs 42-14. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) grabs a pass for a touchdown as Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) and strong safety Bradley McDougald (30) defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa , Fla.. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) celebrates after sacking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) scores a touchdown as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Johnthan Banks (27) is late with the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa , Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3 is sacked by Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) is about to sack him during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. The Titans defeated the Bucs 42-14.(AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks up as Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) is about to sack him during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. The Titans defeated the Bucs 42-14. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) looks to pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) looks to pass during the second half of an NFL football game Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) calls a play during the first half of an NFL football game Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Deiontrez Mount (53) runs into Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) after Mount intercepts a pass by Winston during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

Tennessee Titans running back Dexter McCluster (22) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end George Johnson (94) is unable to tackle Tennessee Titans running back Bishop Sankey (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, file photo, Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla. Mariota's electric debut against NFL draft classmate Jameis Winston looked a little like Manning vs. Leaf 2.0, with Mariota confidently flicking four touchdown passes while posting a not-a-typo 158.3 passer rating, the NFL quarterback's version of a perfect game. (AP Photo/Scott Audette, File)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) lines up under center Brian Schwenke (62) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. The Titans defeated the Bucs 42-14. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)

Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) rushes Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. The Titans defeated the Bucs 42-14. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)

Tennessee Titans running back Bishop Sankey (20) runs in for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. The Titans defeated the Bucs 42-14. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) runs ahead of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Justin Evans (21) as Taylor scores a touchdown on a 47-yard pass play in the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, meets with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston after a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Buccaneers won 30-14. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback De'Vante Harris (27) tries to stop Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) in the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball past Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Vinny Curry (97) in the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski))
THE BUCCANEERS **
Lovie Smith is in his second year as head coach of the Buccaneers and his 11th season as a head coach in the NFL. During the preseason, the Bucs were 2-2, picking up wins over the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins and losses against the Vikings and Cleveland Browns.
Winston, who was 23-of-47 for 311 yards during the preseason, enjoys the benefit of two returning 1,000-yard wide receivers in Vincent Jackson (1,002 yards in 2014) and Mike Evans (1,051). Additionally, Tampa Bay features a former 1,000-yard running back, Doug Martin (1,454 yards in 2012).
Defensively, the Buccaneers are led by a pair of All-Pro performers: linebacker Lavonte David and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Former Titans Pro Bowl cornerback Alterraun Verner also plays a key role for the Bucs.