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HomeSportsTennessee Titans head to Kansas City Chiefs Sunday

Tennessee Titans head to Kansas City Chiefs Sunday

Tennessee Titans (7-6) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (10-3)

Sunday, December 18th, 2016 | Noon CST
Kansas City, MO | Arrowhead Stadium | TV: CBS

Tennessee TitansNashville, TN – This week the Tennessee Titans (7-6) travel to Kansas City to face the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) in a matchup that could help shape the AFC playoff field. Kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium (capacity 76,416) is scheduled for noon CST on Sunday, December 18th.

This week’s game will be televised regionally on CBS, including Nashville affiliate WTVF NewsChannel 5. Play-by-play announcer Greg Gumbel will call the action alongside analyst Trent Green. Jamie Erdahl will report from the sidelines.

Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) dives after being hit out of bounds during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Nissan Stadium. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) dives after being hit out of bounds during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Nissan Stadium. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)

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 Frank Wycheck, gameday host Rhett Bryan and sideline reporter Jonathan Hutton.

Additionally, Compass Media Networks will broadcast the Titans-Chiefs game to a national radio audience. Play-by-play announcer Gregg Daniels and analyst Brian Baldinger will have the call.

Tennessee Titans

Titans Tied For Division Lead

Tennessee TitansWith three games remaining in the regular season, the Titans enter the week tied with the Houston Texans (7-6) for first place in the AFC South. The Indianapolis Colts (6-7) are in third place, one game off the pace of the two co-leaders. The Titans, Texans and Colts play simultaneously this week, with the Texans hosting the fourth-place Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11) and the Colts on the road at the Minnesota Vikings in early Sunday action.

The last time the Titans possessed at least a share of the division lead in Week 14 of a season or later was 2008, when they were the wire-to-wire winners of the AFC South.

Last week the Titans hosted another AFC West contender, the Denver Broncos. In a game that featured 180 rushing yards by the Titans and 350 passing yards by the Broncos, the Titans outlasted the defending Super Bowl champions for a 13-10 victory.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) slides for a first down during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Nissan Stadium. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) slides for a first down during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Nissan Stadium. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)

In the win, the Titans defense produced three sacks and recovered two fumbles—the second of which came in the final minute to seal the victory. Inside linebacker Avery Williamson and safety Daimion Stafford were credited with the game-clinching forced fumble and recovery, respectively.

While the Titans limited the Broncos to 18 total rushing yards—the fifth-lowest total ever allowed by the Titans/Oilers defense—DeMarco Murray led the Titans’ own rushing attack with 92 yards and the team’s only touchdown on 21 carries. Murray, who ranks second in the NFL in rushing, improved his season totals to 1,135 yards on 250 carries.

The Titans recorded their fourth consecutive game without committing a turnover. The last time they lost a fumble or threw an interception was at the San Diego Chargers on November 6th, and since then, they are plus eight in turnover margin. Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota has attempted 115 passes since his last interception.

After playing the Chiefs, the Titans travel to Jacksonville (December 24th) before ending the regular season at home against Houston (January 1st).

Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs HelmetThe Chiefs, who will have 10 days to prepare for the Titans, are coming off a critical 21-13 Thursday night home victory over the division rival Oakland Raiders. The outcome gave the two clubs identical records, but the Chiefs hold the tiebreaker as a result of their head-to-head sweep of the series.

Head coach Andy Reid is in his 18th season as a head coach in the NFL. The three-time NFL Coach of the Year is attempting to get the Chiefs to the playoffs for the third time in his four campaigns with the team.

Quarterback Alex Smith is in his fourth season with the Chiefs and his 12th season in the NFL. The former first-overall draft choice, who has completed 267 of 397 passes for 2,831 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2016, is 169 yards away from recording his fourth consecutive 3,000-yard passing season.

The Chiefs have Pro Bowl players at every level of their defense. The list includes former University of Tennessee safety Eric Berry, cornerback Marcus Peters, defensive lineman Dontari Poe, and linebackers Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson and Justin Houston.

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