NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans (3-3) host the defending NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers (4-2) this week. The late afternoon kickoff at LP Field (capacity 69,143) is scheduled for 3:05 CDT on Sunday, Oct. 20.
The contest has been designated as the team's annual "Code Blue" game. Fans are encouraged to wear Titans blue to work and school during the week, as well as to the game Sunday, and all fans in attendance at LP Field will receive Code Blue T-shirts. This is the sixth consecutive season the Titans have held a Code Blue game.
THE BROADCAST
This week's game will be televised regionally on FOX, including Nashville affiliate WZTV Fox 17. Chris Myerswill handle play-by-play duties while Tim Ryan provides analysis and Jennifer Hale reports from the sidelines.
The Titans Radio Network, including Nashville flagship 104.5 The Zone, will broadcast the game across the Mid-South with the "Voice of the Titans" Mike Keith, analyst Frank Wycheck, sideline reporter Cody Allison and gameday host Larry Stone.
Additionally, Sports USA will broadcast the game to a national radio audience. Larry Kahn (play-by-play), John Robinson (analyst) and Troy Westwill have the call.
LAST WEEK AT SEATTLE
The Titans traveled to Seattle last week to play their first of three consecutive games against NFC West foes. In a game that was tied 10-10 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Seahawks surged ahead for a 20-13 victory.
The Titans scored on a pair of field goals from Rob Bironas and a 77-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Jason McCourty on the final play of the first half.
At quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick received his second consecutive start while Jake Locker continued to sit out with hip and knee injuries he suffered against the New York Jets on Sept. 29. The Seahawks defense limited Fitzpatrick to 171 yards and intercepted two of his passes en route to their victory.
Still, the two fumble recoveries by the Titans defense helped keep the club's turnover ratio at plus-eight, which is the second-highest mark in the NFL. The Titans also rank 11th in total defense, eighth in scoring defense, tied for seventh in sacks.
THE 49ERS *
Led by *Jim Harbaugh, who is in his third season as head coach, the 49ers are hopeful of returning to the Super Bowl for a second consecutive season. In 2012, they went 11-4-1 in the regular season to capture their second straight division crown, and in the postseason, they advanced to Super Bowl XLVII, only to fall just short in a 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Colin Kaepernick is in his third NFL season but his first full campaign as San Francisco's fulltime starting quarterback. In 2012, he was promoted to the starting role with seven games remaining in the regular season. He responded by registering a 98.3 passer rating and rushing for 415 yards. His 2013 totals include 1,221 passing yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions to go along with 172 rushing yards.
The 49ers are in second place in the NFC West standings, one game behind the 5-1 Seahawks. They have won three consecutive games after dropping their second and third games of the season.
Last week they hosted the Arizona Cardinals and won by a final score of 32-20. Kaepernick passed for 252 yards, which included a career-high 180 receiving yards by tight end Vernon Davis. Running back Frank Gore added 101 rushing yards in the victory.
TITANS FOUNDATION COAT DRIVE
Prior to the game, fans are encouraged to participate in the annual Titans Foundation Coat Drive. New and used coats of all sizes can be dropped off at one of several collection sites around LP Field, where volunters from the YMCA's Black Achievers program will be stationed to collect the donations. The coats subsequently will be delivered to several Middle Tennessee non-profit agencies.
