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NASHVILLE, Tenn. —** This week the Tennessee Titans (8-5) play their second consecutive road game against an NFC West opponent, traveling to meet the San Francisco 49ers (3-10). It marks the franchise's first appearance at Levi's Stadium (capacity 68,500), which opened in 2014. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:25 p.m. PST/3:25 p.m. CST on Sunday, Dec. 17.
The Titans have not visited the 49ers since Nov. 8, 2009. The Titans won that game, which was at Candlestick Park, but the 49ers took the most recent meeting 31-17 on Oct. 20, 2013 in Tennessee. The 49ers lead the all-time series 8-5.
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THE BROADCAST**
The game will be televised regionally on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. Play-by-play announcer Andrew Catalonand analyst James Lofton will call the action.
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 Dave McGinnis, gameday host Rhett Bryan and sideline reporter Jonathan Hutton.
Additionally, Compass Media Networks will broadcast the game to a national radio audience. Play-by-play announcer Jesse Aglerand analyst Chad Brown will have the call.
TITANS IN PLAYOFF HUNT WITH THREE GAMES REMAINING
Last week the Titans battled the Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium and ultimately fell by a final score of 12-7. The Titans led for most of the game, courtesy of a six-yard touchdown run by Derrick Henry. However, kicker Phil Dawson's four field goals, including two in the final six minutes of regulation, provided the Cardinals all the scoring they needed.
For the second time in three games, the Titans defense tallied eight sacks, tying for the third-highest total in franchise history. Led by defensive tackle Jurrell Casey's two sacks, seven different players registered at least one sack. The Titans were one short of the franchise record of nine sacks, which was achieved on two separate occasions (Oct. 14, 1962 against the New York Titans and Oct. 31, 1971 against the Cincinnati Bengals).
The defense also produced eight sacks at Indianapolis on Nov. 26, making this the first season in Titans/Oilers history the defense has had multiple games with eight or more sacks in a season. Including a four-sack performance against the Houston Texans on Dec. 3, the team's 20 sacks in three games are the most by any NFL team in a three-game span in 2017.
The loss put the Titans one game behind the 9-4 Jaguars for the AFC South lead. The Jaguars, who won at home last week over the Seattle Seahawks, host the Texans this week and then travel to face the 49ers on Christmas Eve. In Week 17, they finish the regular season at Nissan Stadium against the Titans. The Titans won the first of two annual meetings with the Jaguars on Sept. 17 in Jacksonville.
Sunday's matchup will be the Titans' final road game of the regular season. They will return home to host their final two games of the regular season—Dec. 24 against the Los Angeles Rams and Dec. 31 against the Jaguars.
With back-to-back games at Arizona and San Francisco, the Titans chose to remain in Arizona for the week to prepare for the 49ers. They will conduct a normal practice week using the facilities at Arizona State University and will travel to the Bay Area on Saturday, Dec. 16.
*THE 49ERS *
The 49ers have undergone significant change over the past year. Following the 2016 campaign, they hired former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan as their new head coach, and they tabbed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos safety John Lynch as their general manager.
After dropping their first nine games of the new era, the 49ers have won three of their last four contests. Last week they went to Houston, where Jimmy Garoppolo passed for 334 yards and a touchdown to help the 49ers to a 26-16 victory. Robbie Gould booted four field goals in the win.
On Oct. 31, the 49ers traded a 2018 second-round draft pick to the New England Patriots to acquire Garoppolo, who is in his fourth NFL season. Garoppolo, a second-round pick in 2014 out of Eastern Illinois, has started the last two games at Chicago and Houston. His statistics since landing with the 49ers include 48 completions on 72 attempts for 645 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series against the San Francisco 49ers. (AP Photos)
