Ravens–Titans rivalry

Ravens–Titans rivalry
Baltimore Ravens
Tennessee Titans
First meetingSeptember 15, 1996
Astrodome
Oilers 29, Ravens 13
Latest meetingOctober 15, 2023
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Ravens 24, Titans 16
Next meeting2026 (tentative)
Statistics
Meetings total27 meetings[1]
All-time seriesRavens, 14–13
Postseason resultsRavens lead, 3–2
Current win streakRavens, 2 (2021–present)
Post–season history

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 eventually moved into the AFC North and AFC South respectively. However, despite moving into separate divisions, this didn't stop the strong enmity that the two teams had for each other during the 2000s.[2][3][4][5][6] 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.[7] In 2020, CBS ranked it as the No. 7 NFL rivalry of the 2000s.[8]

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.[9][10][11]

History

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The rivalry between the Baltimore Ravens and the then-Houston Oilers began 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.[12]

Notable moments

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  • 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 three years 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.[13] 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 towing their first Super Bowl in franchise history.[12]
  • 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 two touchdowns (49 yards to Justin McCareins and 35 yards to Todd 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 2005, the Ravens signed Derrick Mason and Samari Rolle after they were cut by the Titans.
  • 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 the 2008 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 quarterback Kerry Collins. The Ravens won behind rookie quarterback Joe Flacco and former Titans Samari Rolle and Derrick Mason.[12]
  • 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 #1 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.[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 cornerback Malcolm 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 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.

Season–by–season results

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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. 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.
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.[a] 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.[b] 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 The 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 		The 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 becomesthe 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]
2010s (Titans, 3–2)
Season Results Location Overall series Notes
2011 Titans
26–13 		LP Field Tie
10–10 		[22][23][24]
2014 Ravens
21–7 		M&T Bank Stadium Ravens
11–10 		[25]
2017 Titans
23–20 		Nissan Stadium Tie
11–11 		[26][27]
2018 Ravens
21–0 		Nissan Stadium Ravens
12–11 		[28][29]
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 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.
2020s (Ravens, 2–1)
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.The awayy team has won all five postseason meetings to date.
2023 Ravens
24–16 		Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Ravens
14–13 		Game played as part of the NFL International Series, officially a Titans home game
Summary of Results
Season Season series at Baltimore Ravens at Houston/ Tennessee Oilers/ Titans Notes
Regular Season Tie 11–11 Tie 5–5 Tie 6–6
Postseason games Ravens 3–2 Titans 2–0 Ravens 3–0 AFC Wild Card: 2003, 2020
AFC Divisional: 2000, 2008, 2019
Regular and postseason Ravens 14–13 Titans 7–5 Ravens 9–6

Notes

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Nissan Stadium was originally named Adelphia Coliseum from 1999 to 2002, The Coliseum from 2002 to 2006, and LP Field from 2006 to 2015.

Connections between the teams

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ “Game History between Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens”. ClarksvilleOnline.com. January 9, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  2. ^ Allen, Kyle (January 7, 2009). "A Rivalry Reborn: Five Reasons Titans' Fans Despise the Ravens". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  3. ^ "'Here we go again': Titans, Ravens renew rivalry". www.tennesseetitans.com. October 3, 2008. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  4. ^ Schrager, Peter (2009-01-08). "The Bitter NFL Rivalry That No One's Talking About". Esquire. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  5. ^ Kasinitz, Aaron (2020-01-06). "Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans in NFL playoffs: Recalling the first 3 postseason meetings". pennlive. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  6. ^ HOGAN, MICHAEL (January 7, 2021). "A Review of Titans-Ravens Playoff Rivalry | Sports Illustrated Tennessee Titans News, Analysis and More". www.si.com. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  7. ^ Titans-Ravens record from The Football Database
  8. ^ "Ranking NFL's top rivalries of the 2000s: Epic QB clash tops list of historic matchups". CBSSports.com. 3 July 2020. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  9. ^ Davis, Scott. "The NFL schedule is created with the help of a simple formula". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  10. ^ "NFL gives East teams a break traveling West". ESPN.com. 2009-03-23. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  11. ^ Trapasso, Chris. "How Is the NFL Schedule Created?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  12. ^ a b c d Gray, Nick (2020-01-10). "Titans-Ravens playoff history filled with road upsets, one-and-done No. 1 seeds". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
  13. ^ Hensley, Jamison (October 12, 2018). A punch to the guy: Why Ravens-Titans feud was once NFL’s best rivalry. ESPN. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  14. ^ "McNair visits Titans, doesn't have animosity over parting – National Football League". ESPN. 20 August 2008. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  15. ^ Walker, Teresa M. McNair introduced as Ravens' new starting QB. USA Today, June 8, 2006. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
  16. ^ Schad, Tom (2020-01-11). "Titans stun top-seeded Ravens, seal spot in AFC Championship Game". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
  17. ^ Maske, Mark (January 12, 2020). "Underdog Titans stun top-seeded Ravens, 28-12, advance to AFC title game". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  18. ^ Pennington, Bill (2020-11-22). "The Ravens Looked to Bounce Back. Then Derrick Henry Showed Up". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  19. ^ Gillis, Andrew (2021-01-10). "Ravens get revenge, stomp on Titans' logo in Wild Card win". RSN. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  20. ^ Wilner, Barry (January 11, 2009). “Tennessee turnovers set up Stover’s game-winning field goal”. Bowling Green Daily News (via Associated Press), January 11, 2009, pages 1B and 10B.
  21. ^ Baumgardner, Nick (January 11, 2009). “Questions will haunt gaffe-prone Tennessee”. Bowling Green Daily News, January 11, 2009, pages 1B and 10B.
  22. ^ Walker, Teresa M. (September 19, 2011). “Tennessee forces three turnovers in win over Baltimore”. Bowling Green Daily News (via Associated Press), September 19, 2011, pages 3B and 5B.
  23. ^ Compton, Michael (September 19, 2011). “Britt delivers after Ravens contain Johnson”. Bowling Green Daily News, September 19, 2011, pages 3B and 5B.
  24. ^ Walker, Teresa M. (September 20, 2011). “Titans’ offense held the ball for almost 36 minutes against Ravens”. Bowling Green Daily News (via Associated Press), September 20, 2011, pages 3B and 5B.
  25. ^ Orr, Conor (November 9, 2014). "Ravens help sort out AFC North with win over Titans". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  26. ^ Compton, Michael (November 6, 2017). “Former WKU standout relishing return with Ravens”. Bowling Green Daily News, November 6, 2017, pages 1B and 3B.
  27. ^ Walker, Teresa M. (November 6, 2017). “Byard boosts Titans to win”. Bowling Green Daily News] (via Associated Press), November 6, 2017, pages 1B and 3B.
  28. ^ Compton, Michael (October 15, 2018). “Jackson continues to learn in Baltimore”. Bowling Green Daily News. October 15, 2018, pages 1C and 5C.
  29. ^ Walker, Teresa M. (October 15, 2018). “Ravens pile up team-record 11 sacks, shut out Titans 21-0”. Bowling Green Daily News (via Associated Press), October 15, 2018, pages 1B and 5B.
  30. ^ Wilner, Barry (January 12, 2020). “Tennessee reaches AFC title game with 28-12 victory”. Bowling Green Daily News (via Associated Press), January 12, 2020, pages 1B and 5B.
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