2014 Titans Schedule: September | **October** | **November** | December
The Titans will host three of their final four regular season games in 2014, including the New York Giants and New York Jets in consecutive weeks before closing with games against AFC South rivals (at Jacksonville and against Indianapolis).
Week 14
Titans vs. Giants|Tickets
Noon|Sunday Dec. 7| LP Field
Regular season series results: Tied 5-5
Last time in regular season:Titans won 29-10 at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 26, 2010; Last time in regular season at venue: Titans won 24-21 at LP Field on Nov. 26, 2006
New York Giants' 2013 offensive rankings: Total yards: 4,920 (28th in NFL); Rushing yards: 1,332 (29th); Passing yards: 3,588 (19th); Points/Game: 18.4 (28th)
New York Giants' 2013 defensive rankings: Total yards allowed/game: 332.3 (eighth); Rushing yards allowed/game: 108.9 (14th); Passing yards allowed/game: 223.3 (10th); Points allowed/game: 23.9 (tied for 17th); Sacks: 34 (tied for 25th); Interceptions: 17 (tied for 12th)
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Early outlook:** This will mark the fourth trip the New York Giants have made to Tennessee since 1997, and the Titans/Oilers franchise has won the three previous meetings. After losing the first five meetings in the series (1973, 1982, 1985, 1991, 1994), Tennessee has won the past five (1997, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2010).
Eli Manning has said he's not worried about the recent surgery he had to repair an ankle injury, and its impact will be known by this point in the season. He'll try to bounce back from his worst statistical season since his rookie year of 2004. New offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, who coached Green Bay quarterbacks the past two seasons, was hired to replace retiring Kevin Gilbride. Manning ranked 35th in the NFL in passer rating in 2013 and threw 27 interceptions, compared to 18 TDs.
Receiver Mario Manningham is returning to the Giants after spending the past two seasons with San Francisco, but Hakeem Nicks departed for Indianapolis. The Giants signed 15 free agents, including cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond. They hope DE Robert Ayers will fill the vacancy created by Justin Tuck, a 2005 third-round pick who signed with Oakland. Safety Antrel Rolle tied for second in the NFL in 2013 with six interceptions. The Giants are scheduled to make seven picks in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Week 15
Titans vs. Jets|Tickets
305 p.m.|Sunday Dec. 14| LP Field
Regular season series results:Titans lead 23-17-1
Last time in regular season:Titans won 38-13 at LP Field on Sept. 29, 2013; Last time in regular season at venue: same
New York Jets' 2013 offensive rankings: Total yards: 5,090 (25th in NFL); Rushing yards: 2,158 (sixth); Passing yards: 2,932 (31st); Points/Game: 18.1 (29th)
New York Jets' 2013 defensive rankings: Total yards allowed/game: 334.9 (11th); Rushing yards allowed/game: 88.3 (third); Passing yards allowed/game: 246.7 (22nd); Points allowed/game: 24.2 (19th); Sacks: 41 (tied for 13th); Interceptions: 13 (tied for 22nd)
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Early outlook:** This will be the third straight season in which the Jets have visited LP Field, and Tennessee has claimed two in a row. This matchup was determined by the order of finish the Titans and Jets had (second place) in their respective divisions in 2013.
Will anyone write or speak about this game without mentioning the return of running back Chris Johnson to Tennessee? The 2008 first-round pick of the Titans spent his first six seasons in two-tone blue and signed with the Jets after his release. Johnson delivered many memorable moments in a Titans uniform, including a franchise-record 94-yard touchdown run against the Jets on Monday Night Football in December 2012.
Tennessee played arguably its most dominating game of 2013 against the Jets, with the defense forcing four turnovers and the offense scoring four touchdowns. The Titans built a 24-6 lead by halftime, with Jake Locker connecting with Justin Hunter for a TD with seven seconds remaining in the first half, but Locker suffered hip and knee sprains in the third quarter, and concerns for the QB muted any celebration in the locker room.
In addition to Johnson, New York signed receivers Eric Decker and Jacoby Ford, brought in QB Michael Vick and released QB Mark Sanchez. The Jets are scheduled to have 12 selections in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Week 16
Titans at Jaguars
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7:25 p.m.|Thursday Dec. 18| LP Field
Regular season series results: Titans lead 21-17
Last time in regular season:Titans won 20-16 in Jacksonville on Dec. 22, 2013; Last time in regular season at venue: same
Jacksonville's 2013 offensive rankings: Total yards: 4,701 (31st in NFL); Rushing yards: 1,260 (31st); Passing yards: 3,441 (22nd); Points/Game: 15.4 (32nd)
Jacksonville's 2013 defensive rankings: Total yards allowed/game: 379.4 (tied for 27th); Rushing yards allowed/game: 131.8 (29th); Passing yards allowed/game: 247.6 (tied for 25th); Points allowed/game: 28.1 (28th); Sacks: 31 (tied for 31st); Interceptions: 11 (tied for 26th)
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The Tennessee Titans battle the Jacksonville Jaguars in a Week 16 contest at EverBank Field. (Photos: Donn Jones)
Early outlook: *Tennessee will have a short turnaround between hosting the Jets for what's scheduled to be a 3:05 p.m. (Central) start on Dec. 14 and its 2014 appearance on *Thursday Night Football. The turnover that both the Titans and Jaguars have experienced in recent years likely will decrease the familiarity factor to help cope with a short week.
By this point, however, the Titans will have nearly two full seasons to evaluate the Jaguars under Gus Bradley, and Jacksonville will have nearly one to assess Tennessee under Ken Whisenhunt.
Jacksonville's defensive front includes former Seattle linemen Red Bryant and Chris Clemons, fresh off helping the Seahawks win Super Bowl XLVIII, as well as former Titans Jason Babin and Sen'Derrick Marks.
This will be the third straight season in which Tennessee has visited Jacksonville on Nov. 25 or later. The Titans have split the series with the Jaguars in each of the past five seasons.
Week 17
Titans vs. Colts|Tickets
Noon|Sunday Dec. 28| LP Field
Regular season series results: Titans trail 13-25
Last time in regular season:Colts won 22-14 in Indianapolis on Dec. 1, 2013; Last time in regular season at venue: Colts won 30-27 at LP Field on Nov. 14, 2013
Indianapolis' 2013 offensive rankings: Total yards: 5,468 (15th in NFL); Rushing yards: 1,743 (tied for 20th); Passing yards: 3,725 (20th); Points/Game: 24.4 (tied for 14th)
Indianapolis' 2013 defensive rankings: Total yards allowed/game: 357.1 (20th); Rushing yards allowed/game: 125.1 (26th); Passing yards allowed/game: 231.9 (13th); Points allowed/game: 21.0 (ninth); Sacks: 42 (tied for 11th); Interceptions: 15 (tied for 17th)
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The Titans and Colts square off in a Week 11 matchup on Thursday Night Football at LP Field. (Donn Jones Photography, AP)
Early outlook: **Tennessee has traveled to Indianapolis in the final month of each of the past seven seasons, but this time the Colts will hit the road.
Much will happen between the release of the schedule and the first game of the season, and much will happen between the opener and the finale. The past four games have been decided by eight or fewer points. Tennessee led Indianapolis in the fourth quarter in 2012 and built a 17-6 halftime lead last season at LP Field, but Indianapolis rallied in both games. Colts defensive end Robert Mathis led the NFL with a career-high 19.5 sacks and forced eight fumbles in 2013.
