Ravens–Titans rivalry

Ravens–Titans rivalry

Baltimore Ravens Tennessee Titans
First meeting	September 15, 1996 Astrodome Oilers 29, Ravens 13
Latest meeting	January 10, 2021 Nissan Stadium Ravens 20, Titans 13
Next meeting	August 11, 2022
Statistics
Meetings total	26 meetings
All-time series	Tied, 13–13
Postseason results	Ravens lead, 3–2 January 7, 2001: Ravens 24, Titans 10 January 3, 2004: Titans 20, Ravens 17 January 10, 2009: Ravens 13, Titans 10 January 11, 2020: Titans 28, Ravens 12 January 10, 2021 : Ravens 20, Titans 13
Current win streak	Ravens, 1 (2020–present)
Championship success
Super Bowl Championships (2) BAL – 2000 (XXXV), 2012 (XLVII) TEN – None Conference Championships (5) BAL – 2000, 2012 TEN – 1960, 1961, 1999 Division Championships (17) BAL (6) – 2003, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2019 TEN (11) – 1960, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1991, 1993, 2000, 2002, 2008, 2020, 2021

The Ravens–Titans rivalry is a professional American football rivalry between the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans in the National Football League’s American Football Conference. Originally divisional rivals in the AFC Central, the Ravens and Titans developed strong enmity between each other before the two teams were moved to separate divisions. The teams have met in the playoffs five times and are both known for their strong defensive play. The rivalry is one of the tightest in the NFL with a 13–13 series record.

History

The rivalry between the Baltimore Ravens and the then-Houston Oilers began with the in 1996 when the Ravens were founded as a result of the Cleveland Browns' relocation to Baltimore and subsequent deactivation. The Ravens assumed Cleveland's place in the AFC Central, in which the Oilers were also a member. As divisional rivals, the Ravens played the Oilers/Titans twice a year from 1996 through 2001, which encompassed the Oilers' 1997 move to Tennessee and 1999 name change from "Oilers" to "Titans." The teams met 13 times during these years, including once in the playoffs: a 24–10 Ravens win in the 2000 Divisional Round.

When the Houston Texans were established in 2002, the now 32-team league realigned into four-team divisions. The Ravens were placed in the AFC North while the Titans were placed in the AFC South. As a result, the two teams would only meet sporadically from this point on. The Ravens and Titans would meet in the regular season at least once every three years when the AFC North plays the AFC South in the schedule rotation. During other seasons, the Ravens and Titans would only play each other if both teams finished in the same spot in their respective divisions the prior season (for example, both teams finished second place in their divisions in 2017, so they played each other in 2018).

Throughout the history of the rivalry, the teams have met in the playoffs five times, with the Ravens leading 3–2. The away team has won every playoff meeting. The Titans were twice upset by the Ravens as the AFC's top seed (in 2000 and 2008), while the Titans upset the top-seeded Ravens in 2019.

Notable moments

• The two teams had their first meeting at the Astrodome on September 15, 1996, during the Ravens' first season and the Oilers' final year in Houston. For a three-year period between 1999 and 2001, the Ravens and the now-Titans escalated their rivalry to new heights, with numerous dirty hits and punches exchanged between players. The two teams met in the playoffs for the first time on January 7, 2001. Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis intercepted a pass bobbled by Titans running back Eddie George for a fourth quarter touchdown, sealing a 24–10 Baltimore win that helped the Ravens advance to winning their first Super Bowl in franchise history.

• On January 4, 2004, during the 2003 Wild Card Round, the Titans got revenge for their last postseason loss. While Titans quarterback Steve McNair and Ravens quarterback Anthony Wright combined for five total interceptions, McNair led his team down the field to set-up their game-winning field goal. This 20–17 win also snapped a five-game losing streak to the Ravens.

• In 2006, the Titans traded Steve McNair to the Ravens after the locking him out of their facility during a contract dispute.

• On January 10, 2009, in the 2008 Divisional Round, the Ravens defeated the top-seeded Titans with a 13–10 victory after the Titans committed four costly turnovers, two by quarterback Kerry Collins. The Ravens won behind rookie quarterback Joe Flacco and former Titans Samari Rolle and Derrick Mason.

• On January 11, 2020, in the 2019 Divisional Round, the 6th-seeded Titans avenged their prior playoff losses to the Ravens as the AFC's 1st seed, upsetting the top-seeded Ravens 28–12 in the divisional round behind strong performances from running back Derrick Henry, quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and the defense, which largely shut down NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.

• On November 22, 2020, Derrick Henry scored a 29-yard rushing touchdown in overtime to give the Titans a 30–24 win. Prior to the game, a confrontation ensued after Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler and his teammates taunted the Ravens by yelling at their sideline from midfield.

• On January 10, 2021, the Ravens beat the Titans in Nissan Stadium in the AFC Wild Card 20–13, ending a 2-game losing streak to the Titans, and continuing the trend of the road playoff team winning in this rivalry. After a game-sealing interception by cornerback Marcus Peters, the Ravens danced on the Titans logo at midfield, in retaliation for the Titans dancing on their logo earlier in the season.

Game results

Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston/ Tennessee Oilers/ Titans Season-by-Season Results
1990s (Titans, 5–3) Season Season series at Baltimore Ravens at Houston/ Tennessee Oilers/ Titans Overall series Notes 1996 Oilers 2–0 Oilers 24–21 Oilers 29–13 Oilers 2–0 Ravens' inaugural season. Rivalry begins as both teams are members of the AFC Central. Only season in the rivalry the Titans franchise was still in Houston. 1997 Ravens 2–0 Ravens 21–19 Ravens 36–10 Tie 2–2 Oilers' first season in Tennessee. 1998 Oilers 2–0 Oilers 12–8 Oilers 16–14 Oilers 4–2 Meeting in Baltimore was the first meeting at M&T Bank Stadium. Last season the Titans franchise was named the Oilers. 1999 Tie 1–1 Ravens 41–14 Titans 14–11 Titans 5–3 Meeting in Tennessee was the first meeting at Nissan Stadium. Titans lose Super Bowl XXXIV.
2000s (Ravens, 7–4) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 2000 Titans 14–6 PSINet Stadium Titans 6–4 Ravens 24–23 Adelphia Coliseum Ravens hand Titans their first loss in Adelphia Coliseum as well as their only regular season home loss. 2000 Playoffs Ravens 24–10 Adelphia Coliseum Titans 6–5 AFC Divisional Round. Both of the Titans' home losses on the season were at the hands of the Ravens. Only postseason meeting as AFC Central rivals. The Ravens broke a 10–10 tie in the fourth quarter on a 90-yard blocked FG return and a 50-yard INT return. Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV. 2001 Ravens 26–7 PSINet Stadium Ravens 7–6 Ravens 16–10 Adelphia Coliseum Last meeting as AFC Central rivals. Ravens take their first lead in the series of the rivalry. 2002 Ravens 13–12 Ravens Stadium Ravens 8–6 Ravens stay in the newly named AFC North, while the Titans are moved into the newly created AFC South. 2003 Playoffs Titans 20–17 M&T Bank Stadium Ravens 8–7 AFC Wild Card Round. Gary Anderson kicks the game-winning field goal with 29 seconds remaining as the Titans advance. 2005 Titans 25–10 The Coliseum Tie 8–8 2006 Ravens 27–26 LP Field Ravens 9–8 Steve McNair’s only game against his former team. 2008 Titans 13–10 M&T Bank Stadium Tie 9–9 2008 Playoffs Ravens 13–10 LP Field Ravens 10–9 AFC Divisional Round. Matt Stover kicks the game-winning field goal with 57 seconds remaining as the Ravens advance. Ravens' QB Joe Flacco becomes first rookie quarterback to win two playoff games. Titans get upset as the #1 seed in the Divisional Round for the second time at the hands of the Ravens.
2010s (Titans, 3–2) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 2011 Titans 26–13 LP Field Tie 10–10 2014 Ravens 21–7 M&T Bank Stadium Ravens 11–10 2017 Titans 23–20 Nissan Stadium Tie 11–11 2018 Ravens 21–0 Nissan Stadium Ravens 12–11 2019 Playoffs Titans 28–12 M&T Bank Stadium Tie 12–12 AFC Divisional Round. Titans avenge previous playoff losses to the Ravens as the #1 seed by dominating the 14–2 Ravens and halting their 12-game winning streak. First time in NFL history that the away team wins the first four meetings in any postseason matchup between two franchises. Also marks the third time that the #1 seed is eliminated in the Divisional Round in the rivalry (2000, 2008, 2019), and the first time following that criterion that the Titans beat the Ravens.
2020s (Tie, 1–1) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 2020 Titans 30–24(OT) M&T Bank Stadium Titans 13–12 Referees had to break up a pregame argument between Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and Titans CB Malcolm Butler. Titans rally from a 21–10 deficit midway through the third quarter. First overtime meeting in the rivalry. 2020 Playoffs Ravens 20–13 Nissan Stadium Tie 13–13 AFC Wild Card Round. Ravens overcome early 10–0 deficit to avenge their playoff loss to the Titans the previous season. Away team has won all five postseason meetings to date.
Summary of Results Season Season series at Baltimore Ravens at Houston/ Tennessee Oilers/ Titans Notes Regular Season Titans 11–10 Tie 5–5 Titans 6–5 Postseason games Ravens 3–2 Titans 2–0 Ravens 3–0 AFC Wild Card playoffs: 2003, 2020. AFC Divisional playoffs: 2000, 2008, 2019. Regular and postseason Tie 13–13 Titans 7–5 Ravens 8–6

See also

• Texans–Titans rivalry
• Ravens–Steelers rivalry
• Steelers–Titans rivalry

External links

• Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans head-to-head results