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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — This week the national spotlight descends upon Tennessee as the Titans (4-5) host the first-place Indianapolis Colts (6-3) on Thursday Night Football. Kickoff at LP Field (capacity 69,143) is scheduled for 7:25 p.m. CST on Thursday, Nov. 14.
The two clubs are separated in the AFC South standings by two games. They play twice in the next three weeks, with the rematch scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 1 at Indianapolis.
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The Colts have won three consecutive games against the Titans and eight of the last nine in the series, which marks its 38th all-time installment this week. The last time the Titans got the better of the Colts was Oct. 30, 2011 at LP Field (27-10).
THE BROADCAST
NFL Network will broadcast the game to a national television audience. The telecast can be seen locally in Nashville on WZTV-Fox 17. Brad Nessler will handle play-by-play duties, while Mike Mayock provides analysis and Alex Flanagan 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, WestwoodOne Sports will broadcast the game to a national radio audience. Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Trent Green (analyst) and Rocky Boiman (sideline reporter) will have the call.
LAST WEEK VS. JACKSONVILLE
The Titans hosted the Jaguars last week and were unable to overcome four turnovers in a 29-27 defeat. Although they fared better than the Jaguars in total yards (362 to 214), first downs (19 to 13), third down (56 percent to 25 percent) and time of possession (30:36 to 29:24), the Titans lost three fumbles and threw an interception, leading to 17 of the Jaguars' points. The Jaguars also scored two points on a safety.
In addition to losing the game, the Titans also lost starting quarterback Jake Locker for the foreseeable future. In the second quarter, he went out with a right foot injury and is not expected to play Thursday against the Colts.
In relief, backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick completed 22 of 33 passes for 264 yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 111.2. He also rushed for a touchdown during the team's 17-point rally in the fourth quarter that ended only when the Titans failed to recover an onside kick in the final minute.
Now playing in his ninth NFL campaign, Fitzpatrick was signed as a free agent early in the offseason following a four-year stint in Buffalo. With 78 games of experience and 70 starts, the former undrafted free agent from Harvard has passed for more than 15,000 yards and 96 touchdowns during his time with the St. Louis Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Bills and Titans.
THE COLTS
With six wins in their first nine games of 2013, the Colts have carried over the success they had in 2012, their first season under direction of general manager Ryan Grigson and head coach Chuck Pagano. They finished their first season in Indianapolis with a Wild Card berth, despite Pagano missing several games to undergo treatment for leukemia.
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is likewise thriving in his second professional campaign. The league's first-overall draft pick in 2012 has followed up on his Pro Bowl rookie campaign by completing 183 of 311 passes for 2,198 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Last week, the Colts hosted the St. Louis Rams and lost by a final score of 38-8. It was the most lopsided score in their three losses this season.
SECOND HARVEST FOOD DRIVE
Prior to the game, fans are encouraged to participate in the annual Second Harvest Food Bank food drive by dropping off non-perishable items at one of several collection sites near the entrances of LP Field. Among the most-needed items are canned tuna and chicken, canned vegetables and fruit, peanut butter, pasta, cereal, and canned soups and stews.
