Tennessee Titans (8-6) vs. New Orleans Saints (11-3)
Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 | Noon CT
Nashville, TN | Nissan Stadium | TV: FOX
Nashville, TN – 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, December 22nd.
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 the Cleveland Browns’ Nick Chubb (1,408).
Playoffs 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 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (December 21st), a win by the Titans against the Saints, and a win by the Titans in their December 29th 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.
Two losses by the Steelers, one win by the Titans and one loss by the Colts in their final three games also would give the edge to the Titans for the final wild card.
The Colts, who are in third place in the AFC South, could overtake the Titans by winning their final three games (including Monday night, December 16th) and the Titans taking a loss in either of their remaining two contests.
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. Entering their December 16th game against the Colts, they are ranked third in the conference standings, a half game behind the 11-3 Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers.
