NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Titans (9-7) travel to New England this week to face the AFC East champion Patriots (12-4) in an AFC wild card playoff game. Kickoff at Gillette Stadium (capacity 65,878) is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. EST/7:15 p.m. CST on Saturday, Jan. 4.
This will mark the second playoff game between the two clubs in a three-year span. The Titans traveled to New England for a divisional game following the 2017 campaign and were defeated by the eventual AFC champions. In three all-time playoff meetings between the two charter American Football League teams, the Patriots own a 2-1 advantage.
THE BROADCAST
This week's game will be nationally televised on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. The broadcast team includes play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz, analyst Tony Romo and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson.
Fans can livestream the game on their mobile devices from the Titans app (iOS only), the NFL app and the Yahoo! Sports app. Restrictions apply. For more information visitTitansOnline.com.
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, sideline reporter Amie Wells and gameday hosts Rhett Bryan and Jonathan Hutton.
Additionally, Westwood One Sports will broadcast the game to a national radio audience. Play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico, analyst Tony Boselli and field reporter Laura Okmin will have the call.
TITANS ENTER POSTSEASON ON HIGH NOTE
After beginning the season 2-4, the Titans won seven of their final 10 regular season games to clinch their second playoff berth in three years. It is their first playoff appearance under head coach Mike Vrabel, who was hired to his current post in 2018.
The Titans earned the sixth and final spot in the AFC playoffs by defeating the Houston Texans on the road in Week 17. Derrick Henry rushed for 211 yards and three touchdowns, while Ryan Tannehill passed for a pair of touchdowns in a 35-14 victory.
In his first season in Tennessee, Tannehill finished the regular season atop the NFL's passing charts. He was 201-of-286 for 2,742 yards with 22 touchdowns, six interceptions and a league-best 117.5 passer rating, which also qualified as the fourth-highest single-season passer rating in NFL history. Tannehill, who was acquired in an offseason trade, additionally led the NFL with a 9.6-yard passing average.
Running back Derrick Henry started at Houston after missing Week 16 due to a hamstring injury, and his performance against the Texans catapulted him to the NFL's season rushing title. He finished 2019 with 1,540 rushing yards to lead the NFL and accumulate the fourth-most rushing yards in a season in franchise history. His 16 rushing touchdowns during the regular season ranked second in team annals.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel played in New England for head coach Bill Belichickfrom 2001 through 2008. While Vrabel was with the team, the Patriots earned six playoff berths and won three Super Bowls (2001, 2003 and 2004). Vrabel played in a total of 17 playoff contests with New England, totaling eight sacks and a pair of touchdown receptions.
General manager Jon Robinson also spent a large portion of his professional career with the Patriots. His 12 seasons there included his last five years as director of college scouting (2009-13).
THE PATRIOTS
The Patriots won the AFC East for the 11th straight season and for the 17th total time since Belichick was hired in 2000. Their 12-4 record gave them their 19th consecutive winning season. Belichick, who was born in Nashville, has delivered six Super Bowl championships to New England, including last year's victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
Quarterback Tom Brady is in his 20th NFL season. He ranks second in NFL history in passing yards (74,571) and second in passing touchdowns (541). The three-time NFL MVP and six-time Super Bowl champion totaled 4,057 passing yards and 24 touchdowns during the 2019 regular season.
Last week, the Patriots closed out the regular season with a 27-24 loss at home against the Miami Dolphins.
