The latest and trending news from around the world.
Tennessee Titans vs. New England Patriots: A History of Rivalry
A Look Back at the Memorable Matchups Between Two of the NFL's Most Storied Franchises
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots are two of the most successful franchises in the NFL, with a combined 12 Super Bowl appearances and seven championships between them. The two teams have also developed a heated rivalry over the years, with some of the most memorable games in NFL history.
The Early Years
The Titans and Patriots first met in 1991, when the Titans were still the Houston Oilers. The Oilers won that game, 27-24, but the Patriots would get the better of them in their next two meetings, including a 28-3 victory in the 1992 AFC Divisional Championship Game.
The McNair Era
The rivalry between the two teams intensified in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Steve McNair was the quarterback of the Titans. McNair led the Titans to several victories over the Patriots, including a 26-16 win in the 1999 AFC Championship Game. However, the Patriots would eventually get the best of McNair and the Titans, defeating them in the 2001 AFC Championship Game and the 2003 AFC Divisional Championship Game.
The Brady Era
The rivalry between the Titans and Patriots reached its peak in the early 2000s, when Tom Brady became the Patriots' quarterback. Brady led the Patriots to a 10-4 record against the Titans, including a 38-14 victory in the 2003 AFC Championship Game. The Patriots also defeated the Titans in the 2004 AFC Divisional Championship Game and the 2012 AFC Wild Card Game.
Recent Years
The rivalry between the Titans and Patriots has cooled slightly in recent years, but the two teams still play some of the most competitive games in the NFL. The Titans have won two of the last three meetings between the two teams, including a 20-13 victory in the 2019 AFC Wild Card Game.
Memorable Moments
The Titans and Patriots rivalry is full of memorable moments, including:
- The "Music City Miracle": In the 1999 AFC Wild Card Game, the Titans defeated the Patriots on a last-second touchdown pass from McNair to Kevin Dyson. The play is considered one of the most memorable in NFL history.
- The "Tuck Rule": In the 2001 AFC Championship Game, the Patriots defeated the Titans on a controversial ruling that Tom Brady fumbled the ball before being sacked. The ruling allowed the Patriots to keep possession of the ball and eventually win the game.
- The "Helmet Catch": In the 2007 AFC Championship Game, the Patriots defeated the Colts on a desperation pass from Brady to David Tyree, who caught the ball with his helmet. The play is considered one of the greatest catches in NFL history.