NASHVILLE, Tenn. —The Tennessee Titans (2-6) return to Nissan Stadium this week to face the undefeated Carolina Panthers (8-0).  Kickoff at Nissan Stadium (capacity 69,143) is scheduled for noon CST on Sunday, Nov. 15.

THE BROADCAST

This week's game will be televised regionally on FOX, including Nashville affiliate WZTV FOX 17.  Thom Brennaman will handle play-by-play duties alongside analyst Charles Davis with Tony Siragusa serving as an on-field analyst.

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-Panthers game to a national radio audience.  Adam Amin(play-by-play) and John Robinson (analyst) will have the call.

TITANS BEGIN WITH WIN UNDER MULARKEY

The Titans began a new era last week with a dramatic overtime victory at New Orleans.  In the first game under interim head coach Mike Mularkey, Marcus Mariota's five-yard touchdown pass in overtime to tight end Anthony Fasano gave them a 34-28 win.

Mariota returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games due to the knee injury he suffered on Oct. 18 against the Miami Dolphins.  In his sixth career start, he was 28-of-39 passing for 371 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 135.7.  His 371 passing yards broke his own franchise rookie record, and he joined Daunte Culpepper as the only two quarterbacks in NFL history to pass for at least 350 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions and the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime.

Mariota set the franchise rookie record with his 13th touchdown pass of the season, and he became the only rookie in NFL history to record two games with four touchdowns and no interceptions. 

Mularkey was promoted to the post from his former title of assistant head coach/tight ends on Nov. 3, at the same time former head coach Ken Whisenhunt was relieved of his duties by Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk.  He became the second coach in franchise history to take over as head coach during a season and win his debut, joining Wally Lemm (1961).   

Mularkey joined the Titans in 2014. The former NFL tight end has spent a total of three seasons as a head coach, first with the Buffalo Bills from 2004–2005 and then with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012.  He also served as an offensive coordinator with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2001–2003), Miami Dolphins (2006) and Atlanta Falcons (2008–2011).

*PANTHERS AMONG THREE REMAINING UNBEATEN TEAMS *

The Panthers visit Tennessee as the sole leaders of the NFC South and owners of one of the league's three undefeated records.  The New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals also are 8-0.  

Last week in Charlotte, the Panthers used three touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown by quarterback Cam Newton to beat the Packers 37-29.  Newton was 15-of-30 for 297 yards passing and added 57 rushing yards.

Newton, who won the Heisman Trophy four years before Mariota did, is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. Through eight games, the former Auburn Tiger has passed for 1,820 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 343 yards and five touchdowns.

Under fifth-year head coach Ron Rivera, the well-balanced Panthers rank first in rushing offense (142.3 yards per game), fourth in points per game (28.5) and second in opponents' yards per play (4.8).

SALUTE TO SERVICE

This week marks the Titans' annual Salute to Service game to honor and support veterans, active-duty servicemen and women and their families.  The Titans and Panthers will wear camouflaged-themed apparel including hats, hoodies, gloves and captains patches, in addition to camouflaged-branded Gatorade towels and Bose headsets on the sidelines.  All player helmets will feature a seal decal that represents a branch of the military.  Salute to Service-themed merchandise and game-used items are sold on NFL Auction, with 100% of the proceeds going to the NFL's military non-profit partners.  The Titans will honor servicemen and women in a ceremony at halftime.

FOOD DRIVE FOR SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK

Before fans enter Nissan Stadium, they are encouraged to participate in the annual food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank by dropping off non-perishable items at one of several collection sites near the stadium entrances.  Among the most-needed items are peanut butter, canned chicken or tuna, canned fruit & vegetables, soups, stews, pasta and cereal.

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