NASHVILLE — In their final home game of the 2019 regular season, the Tennessee Titans (8-6) host the NFC South champion New Orleans Saints (11-3) this week. Kickoff at Nissan Stadium (capacity 69,143) is scheduled for noon CST on Sunday, Dec. 22.
THE BROADCAST
This week's game will be regionally televised on FOX, including Nashville affiliate WZTV Fox 17. The broadcast team includes play-by-play announcer Kenny Albert, analyst Ronde Barber and sideline reporter Sara Walsh.
Within the two teams' local television markets, fans can livestream the game on their mobile devices from the Titans app (iOS devices) and the Yahoo! Sports app (iOS and Android devices). Restrictions apply. For more information visit TitansOnline.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.
Sports USA will broadcast the game to a national radio audience. Play-by-play announcer Larry Kahn, analyst Hank Bauer and sideline reporter Troy West have the call.
TITANS REGROUP AFTER DIVISIONAL LOSS
The Titans currently sit in second place in the AFC South after last week's loss to the Houston Texans (9-5). They erased a 14-0 deficit in the second half, but the Texans then scored the next 10 points and outlasted the Titans for a 24-21 win.
Ryan Tannehill passed for 279 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another score. With a 6-2 record in eight games as the Titans' starter, his 114.6 passer rating in 2019 leads the NFL.
Tannehill's primary target against the Texans was rookie wide receiver A.J. Brown, who had eight receptions for 114 yards and a score. Among all rookies in 2019, Brown's 893 receiving yards lead the NFL, while his 47 receptions are tied for fourth and his seven touchdown catches are tied for second among rookies.
Running back Derrick Henry, who was questionable heading into the contest with a hamstring injury, rushed for 86 yards on 21 attempts. Through Week 15, he ranks second in the league with 1,329 rushing yards, trailing only Cleveland's Nick Chubb (1,408).
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Despite the loss to Houston, the Titans remain alive for one of the final two AFC postseason bids. A division crown continues to be a possibility. It would take a Texans loss this Saturday at Tampa Bay (Dec. 21), a win by the Titans against the Saints, and a win by the Titans in their Dec. 29 matchup with the Texans in Houston.
The New England Patriots (11-3) or Buffalo Bills (10-4) will own one of the two AFC wild card spots, whichever club does not win the AFC East.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) currently sit in the sixth seed and final wild card spot for the AFC playoffs with a pair of road games remaining against the New York Jets (Dec. 22) and Baltimore Ravens (Dec. 29). A loss by Pittsburgh in either contest, combined with a Titans win at Houston in Week 17, would give the edge to the Titans in the wild card race after tiebreakers are applied.
Two losses by the Steelers and one win by the Titans also would give the edge to the Titans for the final wild card.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens have clinched the AFC North, while the Kansas City Chiefs have won the AFC West.
The Saints wrapped up their third consecutive NFC South title on Thanksgiving and are now fighting for one of the top seeds in the NFC playoff field, currently tied with the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers at 11-3 on the season.
