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| Looking to stay in the thick of the AFC playoff race, the Titans host Tampa Bay Sunday at LP Field. |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans (5-5) return to LP Field (capacity 69,143) this week after two games on the road. They square off against their third consecutive opponent from the NFC South, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6), on Sunday, Nov. 20. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CST.
The Titans are 7-2 all-time against the Buccaneers, including a 6-0 mark at home. However, the Buccaneers got the better of the Titans in the most recent matchup, winning 13-10 at Raymond James Stadium in 2007.
After that game, the Titans went on a 12-game winning streak against NFC clubs. They have won 13 of their last 15 games against the NFC, and their .711 interconference winning percentage since 2002 realignment ranks third in the NFL.
THE BROADCAST
This week's game will be televised regionally on FOX, including Nashville affiliate WZTV FOX 17. Dick Stockton will handle play-by-play duties, while John Lynch 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. Kevin Kugler (play-by-play) and Mark Malone (analyst) will have the call.
LAST WEEK
The Titans staged a late rally last week at Atlanta but ultimately fell short in a 23-17 loss. The Falcons built a 23-3 lead in the second half, only to watch Titans rookie quarterback Jake Locker threaten their once-comfortable lead.
Starter Matt Hasselbeck left the game in the third quarter after sustaining a right elbow injury. Locker entered, and on his third play, he recorded his first career touchdown pass, connecting with wide receiver Nate Washington on a 40-yard score. Later, Locker converted a fourth-and-17 with a 22-yard pass to Jared Cook and added a 32-yard completion to Lavelle Hawkins. Then, Locker and Washington connected again, this time for a four-yard touchdown.
The Falcons, however, would not allow the Titans a final opportunity at the go-ahead score, grinding out the final three minutes in the fourth quarter.
Locker finished the game with nine completions and 140 yards on 19 attempts, while Washington recorded a career-high nine receptions for 115 yards.
The Titans remain in second place in the AFC South after the loss. At 7-3, the Houston Texans lead the division and this week travel to face the third-place Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7). The Indianapolis Colts (0-10) are in fourth place in the division.
THE BUCCANEERS
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers arrive in Tennessee to play their second consecutive road game. Last week they traveled to Green Bay and fell to the undefeated Packers by a final score of 35-26, giving the Bucs four consecutive losses after starting their season 4-2.
Under head coach Raheem Morris, who is in his third season as head coach, the Buccaneers are in third place in the NFC South, trailing the New Orleans Saints (7-3) and Falcons (6-4).
One of the NFC's top young quarterbacks, Josh Freeman, was drafted by the Buccaneers in 2009, the same year Morris took control of the team. Freeman, a former first-round pick from Kansas State, has started 35 games in his first three seasons and has passed for more than 7,800 yards.
Another one of the Buccaneers' young standouts is running back LeGarrette Blount, who was originally signed by the Titans as an undrafted rookie in 2010. After he was waived by the Titans, he was claimed by the Buccaneers, and in 21 games in Tampa Bay, he has rushed for 1,548 yards.
COAT DRIVE
Prior to the game, fans are encouraged to participate in the annual Titans Foundation Coat Drive. New and used coats can be dropped off at one of several collection sites around LP Field. The donated coats subsequently will be delivered to Middle Tennessee non-profit agencies.
