TheRavens–Titans rivalry is a professionalAmerican footballrivalry between theBaltimore Ravens and theTennessee Titans in theNational Football League’sAmerican Football Conference. Originally divisional rivals in theAFC Central, the Ravens and Titans eventually moved into theAFC North andAFC South, respectively. The teams have met in the playoffs five times (the visiting team has won all five games) and are both known for their strong defensive play. The rivalry is one of the tightest in the NFL with the Ravens leading 14–13; (the Ravens presently lead in overall points scored 506–451), and the road team has won sixteen of the first twenty-seven meetings through 2023.[2] In 2020, CBS ranked it as the No. 7 NFL rivalry of the 2000s.[3]
Furthermore, both teams do not play every year as they play in different divisions; instead, they play once every three years and once every six seasons at each team's home stadium due to the NFL's rotating division schedules during which their respective divisions are paired up, if they meet in the playoffs, or if the two teams finish in the same place in their respective divisions, they would play each other the following season.[4][5][6]
History
The rivalry between the Baltimore Ravens and the then-Houston Oilers began in1996 when the Ravens were founded as a result of theCleveland Browns' relocation to Baltimore and subsequent deactivation. The Ravens assumed Cleveland's place in theAFC Central, in which the Oilers were also a member. As divisional rivals, the Ravens played the Oilers/Titans twice a year from 1996 through2001, which encompassed the Oilers'1997move to Tennessee and1999 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 the2000 Divisional Round.
When theHouston Texans were established in2002, the now 32-team league realigned into four-team divisions. The Ravens were placed in theAFC North while the Titans were placed in theAFC South. As a result, the two teams would only meet sporadically from this point on. However, despite moving into separate divisions, the strong enmity that the two teams had for each other during the 2000s.[7][8][9][10][11][excessive citations] 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 in2017, so they played each other in2018).
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 (in2000 and2008), while the Titans upset the top-seeded Ravens in2019.[12]
Notable moments
The two teams had their first meeting at theAstrodome on September 15,1996, during the Ravens' first season and the Oilers' final year in Houston. For three years between1999 and2001, the Ravens and the now-Titans escalated their rivalry to new heights, with numerous dirty hits and punches exchanged between players.[13]
The two teams met in the playoffs for the first time on January 7, 2001. Ravens linebackerRay Lewis intercepted a pass bobbled by Titans running backEddie George for a fourth-quarter touchdown, sealing a 24–10 Baltimore win that helped the Ravens advance to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history.[12]
On January 4, 2004, during the2003 Wild Card Round, the Titans got revenge for their last postseason loss. While Titans quarterbackSteve McNair and Ravens quarterbackAnthony Wright combined for two touchdowns (49 yards toJustin McCareins and 35 yards toTodd Heap) and five interceptions, McNair led Tennessee down the field following Wright’s score to Heap, setting up their game-winning field goal. This 20–17 win also snapped a five-game losing streak to the Ravens.[12]
In 2006, the Titans traded Steve McNair to the Ravens after locking him out of their facility during a contract dispute.[14][15]
On January 10, 2009, in the2008 Divisional Round, the 6th-seeded Ravens defeated the top-seeded Titans with a 13–10 victory after the Titans committed three costly turnovers, two by quarterbackKerry Collins. The Ravens won behind rookie quarterbackJoe Flacco and former TitansSamari Rolle andDerrick Mason.[12]
On January 11, 2020, in the2019 Divisional Round, the 6th-seeded Titans avenged their prior playoff losses to the Ravens as the AFC's #1 seed, upsetting the top-seeded Ravens 28–12 in the divisional round behind strong performances from running backDerrick Henry, quarterbackRyan Tannehill, and the defense, which largely shut downNFL MVPLamar Jackson.[16][17]
On November 22, 2020, Derrick Henry scored a 29-yard rushing touchdown in overtime to give the Titans a 30–24 win. Before the game, a confrontation ensued after Titans cornerbackMalcolm Butler and his teammates taunted the Ravens by yelling at their sideline from midfield.[18]
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.[19] After a game-sealing interception by cornerbackMarcus Peters, the Ravens danced on the Titans logo at midfield, in retaliation for the Titans dancing on their logo earlier in the season.
Season–by–season results
Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston/ Tennessee Oilers/ Titans Season-by-Season Results
Ravens' inaugural season. The rivalry begins as both teams are members of the AFC Central. The only season in the rivalry, the Titans franchise was still in Houston.
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 field goal return and a 50-yard interception return. Ravens winSuper Bowl XXXV.
AFC Divisional Round.Matt Stover kicks the game-winning field goal with 57 seconds remaining as the Ravens advance. Ravens' QBJoe Flacco becomes the first rookie quarterback to win two playoff games. The Titans get upset as the #1 seed in the divisional round for the second time at the hands of the Ravens.[20][21]
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 has been eliminated in the divisional round in the rivalry (2000, 2008, 2019),[30] and the first time following that criterion that the Titans beat the Ravens. Titans' win snapped the Ravens 12-game winning streak.
Referees had to break up a pregame argument between Ravens head coachJohn Harbaugh and Titans CBMalcolm Butler. Titans rally from a 21–10 deficit midway through the third quarter. First overtime meeting in the rivalry.
AFC Wild Card Round. Ravens overcome early 10–0 deficit to avenge their playoff loss to the Titans the previous season. The away team has won all five postseason meetings to date.
^M&T Bank Stadium was known as “Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards from 1998 to 1999, then it was renamed PSINet Stadium from 1999 to 2002, and Ravens Stadium from 2002 to 2003.
^Nissan Stadium was originally namedAdelphia Coliseum from 1999 to 2002, The Coliseum from 2002 to 2006, and LP Field from 2006 to 2015.
^Wilner, Barry (January 11, 2009). “Tennessee turnovers set up Stover’s game-winning field goal”.Bowling Green Daily News (viaAssociated Press), January 11, 2009, pages 1B and 10B.
^Baumgardner, Nick (January 11, 2009). “Questions will haunt gaffe-prone Tennessee”.Bowling Green Daily News, January 11, 2009, pages 1B and 10B.
^Walker, Teresa M. (September 19, 2011). “Tennessee forces three turnovers in win over Baltimore”.Bowling Green Daily News (viaAssociated Press), September 19, 2011, pages 3B and 5B.
^Compton, Michael (September 19, 2011). “Britt delivers after Ravens contain Johnson”.Bowling Green Daily News, September 19, 2011, pages 3B and 5B.
^Walker, Teresa M. (September 20, 2011). “Titans’ offense held the ball for almost 36 minutes against Ravens”.Bowling Green Daily News (viaAssociated Press), September 20, 2011, pages 3B and 5B.
^Compton, Michael (October 15, 2018). “Jackson continues to learn in Baltimore”.Bowling Green Daily News. October 15, 2018, pages 1C and 5C.
^Walker, Teresa M. (October 15, 2018). “Ravens pile up team-record 11 sacks, shut out Titans 21-0”.Bowling Green Daily News (viaAssociated Press), October 15, 2018, pages 1B and 5B.
^Wilner, Barry (January 12, 2020). “Tennessee reaches AFC title game with 28-12 victory”.Bowling Green Daily News (viaAssociated Press), January 12, 2020, pages 1B and 5B.
