NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans (6-4) travel this week to face the AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts (3-7). Kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium (capacity 63,000) is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST/noon CST on Sunday, Nov. 26.
This is the second of two annual games between the Titans and Colts. On Oct. 16, they met at Nissan Stadium in a Monday night matchup that the Titans won by a final score of 36-22. Quarterback Marcus Mariota's 53-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Taywan Taylor broke a 22-22 tie late in the fourth quarter, and running back Derrick Henry capped the evening with a 72-yard touchdown run. The victory snapped the Colts' 11-game winning streak in the series.
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THE BROADCAST**
Although it features a pair of AFC clubs, the Titans-Colts game was "cross-flexed" and will be televised regionally on FOX, including Nashville affiliate WZTV FOX 17. Play-by-play announcer Chris Myers and analyst Daryl Johnston will call the action, and Laura Okmin will report from the sidelines.
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.
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TITANS TRY TO BOUNCE BACK**
Last week, the Titans took a four-game winning streak to Pittsburgh for a Thursday night matchup with the Steelers. The hosts were uncharitable, intercepting four passes and sacking Mariota five times. It was a six-point game through three quarters, but the Steelers scored 17 in the fourth quarter to prevail 40-17.
Mariota rushed for a seven-yard touchdown and completed a career-long 75-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rishard Matthews. The third-year signal caller completed 22 of 33 passes for 306 yards to record his fifth career 300-yard game.
Matthews finished the contest with 113 yards on five receptions, notching his seventh career 100-yard performance. The 75-yard touchdown was the longest catch of his career.
The loss, coupled with a win by the Jacksonville Jaguars (7-3), put the Titans one game behind the Jaguars in the AFC South race. The Jaguars traveled to Cleveland last Sunday and won 19-7. The Houston Texans (4-6) and Colts are third and fourth in the division, respectively.
A victory this week would give the Titans seven wins in their first 11 games of a season for the first time since they went 10-1 to begin 2008, and it would improve their division record in 2017 to 3-1. They finish with three of their final five games of the regular season at home, including a New Year's Eve finale with the Jaguars at Nissan Stadium.
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The Tennessee Titans prepare to take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12 action at Lucas Oil Stadium.(Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
THE COLTS**
The Colts' most recent game also was against the Steelers. They enjoyed a Week 11 bye after hosting Pittsburgh on Nov. 12. In that game, the Colts built a 17-3 lead by early in the third quarter thanks to a pair of long touchdown passes from Jacoby Brissett to wide receivers Donte Moncrief (60 yards) and Chester Rogers (61 yards). However, the Steelers stormed back, and Chris Boswell's 33-yard field goal as time expired sent the Colts to their seventh defeat of the season.
Brissett has started every game this season with the exception of the season opener, filling in for Andrew Luck. He was acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots on Sept. 2 and since then has passed for 2,172 yards, nine touchdowns, five interceptions and an 86.7 passer rating. Luck, a three-time Pro Bowl selection suffering from a right shoulder injury, was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 2 without attempting a pass in 2017.
Chuck Pagano is in his sixth year as the head coach of the Colts. He led the club to a playoff berth in each of his first three seasons before going 8-8 and missing the playoffs in 2015 and 2016.
Go behind the scenes as the Titans travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in Week 12 at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Photos: Nate Bain)
TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series with the Indianapolis Colts. (AP Photos)
Tennessee Titans' Corey Davis (84) makes a catch against Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore (42) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) is sacked by Tennessee Titans' DaQuan Jones (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Tennessee Titans' Delanie Walker (82) makes a two yard touchdown reception against Indianapolis Colts' Jon Bostic during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) is tackled by the Tennessee Titans defense during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Tennessee Titans' Corey Davis (84) makes a catch against Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore (42) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Tennessee Titans' Marcus Mariota (8) greets fans following an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. Tennessee won 20-16. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee Titans' Corey Davis (84) makes a catch against Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore (42) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Tennessee Titans' Delanie Walker makes a catch against Indianapolis Colts' Pierre Desir during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Tennessee Titans' Corey Davis (84) makes a catch against Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore (42) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee Titans' Derrick Henry runs against Indianapolis Colts' Antonio Morrison during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. Tennessee won 20-16. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) in action as the Tennessee Titans played the Indianapolis Colts in an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Tennessee Titans' Tajae Sharpe (19) makes a touchdown catch against Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee Titans center Ben Jones (60) waits to snap the football during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs out of the tackle of Indianapolis Colts' Jabaal Sheard during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Tennessee Titans play the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee Titans' Jonnu Smith (81) runs against Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) talks with Tennessee Titans' Brian Orakpo following an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis. Indianapolis won 38-10. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Jayon Brown (55) runs the ball after recovering a fumble against the Indianapolis Colts in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans tight end Luke Stocker (88) scores a touchdown on a 22-yard pass reception against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) is brought down by Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry (58) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball past Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Darius Leonard (53) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
