The Tennessee Titans sports franchise is a professional American Football team (gridiron) that plays in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans are a part of the AFC South division, along with the Indianapolis Colts, the Houston Texans, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Titans are in the American Football Conference (AFC) of the National Football League (NFL) and they currently play their home games at the Nissan Stadium.
The late Bud Adams originally founded the franchise back in 1959. At that time and many seasons afterward, they were known as the Houston Oilers and they were based in Texas. This was well before Houston had their current franchise, the Houston Texans. Adams remained club owner for an exceptionally long tenure until he passed away in 2013.
The Titans’ first professional season was in 1960 as a founding member of the American Football League (AFL). The team started off successfully, with four division titles and two AFL championships. In the 1970 merger, they then became a part of the NFL and carried on their AFL success, appearing in consecutive playoffs between 1978 until 1980 and again from 1987 until 1993. Earl Campbell and Warren Moon, two players that would make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, were central to the success of the Oilers during this time period.
However, the Oilers were at the butt end of a memorable playoff game during this period. In the 1992/93 NFL playoffs, the Buffalo Bills overcame a 35-3 deficit to defeat Houston 41-38. This game remains the largest playoff deficit ever overcome in NFL history. It was the largest deficit outright until the 2022/23 season, when the Minnesota Vikings staged a larger comeback.
The team relocated to Nashville, Tennessee in 1997 and became known as the Tennessee Oilers. However, when they moved to the Adelphia Coliseum (now known as the Nissan Stadium) in 1999, they changed their name again to the Titans.
Throughout their time in the league, they have only reached the Super Bowl once – Super Bowl XXXIV, where they lost to the St. Louis Rams. Some say they lost the game by seven points while others say that they lost the game by one yard. The Titans had gained almost the entire field on their last possession but the clock expired with the ball at the one-yard line. Despite the disappointment of losing in the Super Bowl, the postseason did include an amazing comeback of their own.
On Wild Card weekend, the Tennessee Titans executed a kickoff play with little time remaining against the Buffalo Bills. This play involved a lateral that required close examination to see whether or not the ball traveled forwards or backward. In a famous play in the history of the NFL, the ball appeared to travel backward but only by a fraction of a yard — still making it a legal play. A touchdown resulted and the play has been called “The Music City Miracle.”
Despite enjoying plenty of playoff appearances up until 2003, they have generally struggled in recent times. Their standout season came in 2021/22 when they earned the top seed in the AFC. However, the team would fall early in the playoffs. They missed the playoffs entirely in 2022/23.
All About the Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans have played professional football since 1960. The team has had three names – Houston Oilers, Tennessee Oilers, and Tennessee Titans and plays in their famous Titans uniform of Navy, Titans blue, red, silver, and white.
The Tennessee Titans Player Personnel
- Owner: Amy Adams Strunk
- Chairman: Susie Adams Smith and Amy Adams Strunk
- CEO: Burke Nihill
- President: Burke Nihill
- Head Coach: Mike Vrabel
- General Manager: Ron Carthon
Titans fans will be spoiled for choice when it comes to top players, with names such as Eddie George, Keith Bullock and Bruce Matthews being bandied around. But arguably, the top spot goes to Steve McNair – the only real franchise quarterback in the history of the franchise. He played on the Titans’ roster between 1995 and 2005.
McNair helped the Titans reach the playoffs four times and shared an MVP award with another legendary player, Peyton Manning. Air McNair was also selected to three Pro Bowls and in 1993 was given a Walter Payton award. In his 10-year career with the Titans, he threw 156 touchdowns and rushed for 36 more.
In tragic circumstances in 2009, Steve McNair died in a murder-suicide and the Titans wore a number 9 sticker on their helmets the next season to honor him.
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The Tennessee Titans’ Main Rivalries
Throughout their time in the AFL and NFL, the Titans have garnered several league rivalries:
The Jacksonville Jaguars
These two division rivals first met in September 1995, where they played at the Jaguars home stadium – and it was the Jaguars first ever game in the league. The Titans, then known as the Oilers, had the edge and defeated the home team 10-4. This rivalry grew in the divisional round of the 1999-2000 playoffs, which saw the Jaguars take on the Titans again, this time in the postseason. Again, the Titans, who were enjoying their first season with their new name, came from behind to win on their home turf yet again.
Heading into the 2023/23 NFL season, the Tennessee Titans lead the series 34-23-0. These two teams will meet on November 19th, 2023, and then to conclude the season on January 7th, 2024.
The Houston Texans
As divisional rivals, the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans meet twice every regular season. This one is a particularly intense rivalry that first came about after the 2002 expansion and realignment. Since the Tennessee Titans used to be the Houston Oilers, it’s natural that there should be some extra sauce in their games.
Up until the end of the 2022/23 season, the two teams have faced one another forty-two times in total. The Titans lead the series by 23 wins to 19. However, they have yet to meet in the postseason. The two franchises will meet twice in December: on the 17th and the 31st.
The Buffalo Bills
This is no divisional rivalry, but it is an old one, dating back to 1960 when the two teams were original members of the American Football League – with the Titans known as the Houston Oilers at the time. They were, at that time, divisional opponents up until the AFL-NFL merger. They were then moved into different divisions. However, they have enjoyed some memorable matchups since – including two very memorable moments… The Comeback and the Music City Miracle. Up to the end of 2021, they have met 49 times. The Titans lead the series with 30 wins to the Bills 19 wins.
Other rivals include Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts.
Tennessee Titans Facts
Everything you need to know about the Tennessee Titans…
Championships Wins:
In NFL history, the Tennessee Titans have won two League Championships pre-merger:
- 1960
- 1961
But they have never won a Super Bowl title.
NFL/NFC Conference Championships
In the Tennessee Titans’ history, they have won the AFC conference championship once.
- 1999
Division Championships
The Tennessee Titans NFL team has won 11 Division championships 4 as part of the AFL Eastern division:
- 1960
- 1961
- 1962
- 1967
Three times as part of the AFC Central Division
- 1991
- 1993
- 2000
and four as part of the AFC South Division:
- 2002
- 2008
- 2020
- 2021
Playoff Berth Appearances
The Tennessee Titans have made divisional playoff appearances 25 times. Five times as part of the AFL:
1960, 1961, 1962, 1967 and 1969
And twenty times as a part of the NFL division post merger:
1978, 1979, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Tennessee Titans Home Fields
Since they were first created, the Tennessee Titans have had six home fields:
- The Jeppesen Stadium between 1960 and 1964
- The Rice Stadium between 1965 and 1967
- The Houston Astrodome between 1968 and 1996
- The Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in 1997
- The Vanderbilt Stadium in 1998
- The Nissan Stadium from 1999 until present
Tennessee Titans Pro Football Hall of Famers
Here are the Tennessee Titans players that have been enshrined in the pro-Football Hall of Fame to date
Players
- No. Player Position Dates Induction
- 65 Elvin Bethea DE 1968–83 2003
- 16 George Blanda QB/K 1960–66 1981
- 52 Robert Brazile LB 1975-84 2018
- 34 Earl Campbell RB 1978–84 1991
- 87 Dave Casper TE 1980–83 2002
- 78 Curley Culp DT 1974–80 2013
- 29 Ken Houston S 1967–72 1986
- 73 Steve Hutchinson OG 2012 2020
- 35 John Henry Johnson FB 1966 1987
- 18/40 Charlie Joiner WR 1969–72 1996
- 74 Bruce Matthews OT 1983–2001 2007
- 68 Kevin Mawae C 2006–09 2019
- 1 Warren Moon QB 1984–93 2006
- 84 Randy Moss WR 2010 2018
- 63 Mike Munchak OG 1982–93 2001
- 12 Ken Stabler QB 1980–81 2016
Contributors
- Name Position Seasons Inducted
- Sammy Baugh Coach 1964 1963
- Sid Gillman Coach 1973–74 1983
- Dick LeBeau Ass. Coach 2015-17 2010
Tennessee Titans FAQs
Have the Titans Won the National Football League?
No, they have never officially won the NFL – however, they won the American Football League title before the 1970 merger. They have made it to the Super Bowl but lost to the St Louis Rams. So, if you want to bet on them reaching… or winning the next Super Bowl, you will probably get very decent odds – simply head over to a licensed bookmaker, click on the Super Bowl menu, teams and see what odds you can get!
What Other Bets Can I Make on the Titans?
If you think wagering on them to win the Super Bowl is a stretch too far, there are other bets to make. Betting game to game can often provide good value. Read Instagram, Twitter, Facebook pages to see what’s happening in the team, read up on form via different sources such as gamepass games insights and location network news, pause and choose what type of bet you should make. You can then choose to bet on the team performance or single-player playlist playoffs performances – how players will perform individually, irrespective of the team’s result.
What Titans Players Should Be In My Draft Fantasy Menu Games Team?
If you’re after creating your own NFL fantasy team, then head over to a fantasy site, download draft fantasy filter and look through top Titans players such as Ryan Tannehill, Tory Carter and AJ Brown. There are more NFL sites offering fantasy football than ever, so make sure you choose a good site that is regulated, offers features such as an audio gallery, promo offers and everything to make your fantasy football experience the best
