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| The Titans return to the Georgia Dome for a regular season game for the first time since 2003. The played a preseason contest in Atlanta in 2008. |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans (5-4) go on the road against an opponent from the NFC South for the second consecutive week, as they travel to face the Atlanta Falcons (5-4) on Sunday, Nov. 20. Kickoff at the Georgia Dome (capacity 71,228) is scheduled for 3:15 CST. The time was changed to 3:15 from its originally-scheduled time of noon CST.
Currently in second place in the AFC South after last week's victory at Carolina, the TItans are looking to gain ground on the first-place Houston Texans, who are 7-3 entering their bye this week. The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6) and Indianapolis Colts (0-10) are in third and fourth place in the division, respectively.
Tennessee carries a five-game winning streak against the Falcons into this week's matchup, including most recently a 20-13 victory at LP Field in 2007. All-time, the Titans lead the series with the Falcons 7-5.
THE BROADCAST
This week's game will be televised regionally on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. Ian Eagle will handle play-by-play duties, while Dan Fouts will provide analysis.
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, Westwood One Radio Sports will carry the national radio broadcast. Howard David (play-by-play) and Tony Boselli (analyst) will have the call.
LAST WEEK
The Titans received big contributions from players on offense, defense and special teams in last week's 30-3 win over the Panthers.
Marc Mariani provided an early boost with a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown, his third return touchdown in two NFL seasons. Also on special teams, Rob Bironas connected on all three field goal attempts and now has hit 13 consecutive attempts.
Offensively, running back Chris Johnson led the way with a season-high 130 rushing yards to go along with 44 receiving yards. Receiver Damian Williams reached the 100-yard mark for the first time in his two-year career, leading the club with five catches for 107 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck now has at least one touchdown pass in all nine games this season.
On defense, Tennessee notched five sacks and forced two turnovers, while limiting the NFL's fifth-ranked offense entering the contest to 279 total yards. Carolina previously had not scored fewer than 16 points in a game this season, but the Titans permitted only a field goal. It marked the first time the Titans did not allow a touchdown in a game since Oct. 18, 2010 at Jacksonville.
THE FALCONS
This is Atlanta's second of three consecutive home games. Last week, they hosted the division-rival New Orleans Saints in a battle for first place in the NFC South. After coming back from 10 points down with less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Falcons forced overtime only to fall by a final score of 26-23.
Mike Smith is in his fourth season as Atlanta's head coach. In his first three years, he led the team to a combined 33-15 record with two postseason appearances, including a division title and number-one seed in the 2010 playoffs.
Smith's arrival coincided with the drafting of quarterback Matt Ryan. In three-and-a-half seasons, the former first-round pick from Boston College has passed for more than 12,000 yards, including 2,309 in 2011. Ryan, who was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2010, is joined on offense by a trio other notable Pro Bowl performers: tight end Tony Gonzalez, running back Michael Turner and wide receiver Roddy White.
