Tennessee Titans
Nashville, TN – The Houston Oilers and Boston Patriots were charter members of the American Football League in 1960. In the league’s inaugural season, the Oilers swept both games, winning 24-10 in New England and 37-21 in Houston.
The teams met 20 times as part of the AFL (1960-69), with the Patriots earning a 10-9-1 advantage.
Upon the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, the Oilers moved to the AFC Central Division, and the Patriots began play in the AFC East. They officially became the New England Patriots in 1971.
Since 1989, the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans have met 11 times, and all but three of those games were played in New England.
This week marks the third all-time postseason meeting between the organizations and the first since a 2003 AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium. In what was then the coldest game in Oilers/Titans history (4 degrees at kickoff), the Titans fell to the Patriots by a final score of 17-14.
The game was tied at 14 going into the fourth quarter, but Adam Vinatieri booted a 46-yard field goal with four minutes to play that would prove to be the game-winner.
Tennessee had a shot at the end as Drew Bennett caught two passes from Steve McNair in the final two minutes, but a third pass to Bennett fell incomplete on fourth-and-12, ending the drive. New England advanced to the AFC Championship and ultimately won Super Bowl XXVIII.
In a 1978 Divisional Playoff contest, the Oilers traveled to Schaefer Stadium and advanced to the AFC Championship with a 31-14 win, courtesy of three touchdown passes by Dan Pastorini and 118 rushing yards by Earl Campbell.
The last time the Titans traveled to New England in the regular season was December 20th, 2015. Marcus Mariota’s rookie season came to an end with an injury during the game, and the Patriots used three turnovers and five sacks to prevail 33-16. Tom Brady passed for 267 yards and two touchdowns in the New England victory.
The last Titans-Patriots contest at Nissan Stadium was to open the 2012 campaign (September 9th), with the Patriots prevailing 34-13. Titans quarterback Jake Locker made his first career start and completed 23 of 32 passes for 229 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to Nate Washington.
However, Locker and Washington were both forced out of the game due to injury on the same play early in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was 23-of-31 for 236 yards and two touchdowns. The win gave the Patriots a 23-16-1 overall advantage in the series.
Prior to 2012, the most recent Titans home game versus the Patriots was the 2006 regular-season finale, with the Titans needing a victory to clinch a playoff berth. However, a 40-23 loss dropped their record to 8-8 and ended their Wild Card hopes.
Most Recent Matchups
2009 Week 6 • Oct. 18, 2009 • Titans 0 at PATRIOTS 59
The Titans fall to 0-6 on the season before beginning a five-game winning streak two weeks later after the bye. Unexpected snow blankets the Gillette Stadium field during pregame. Tom Brady passes for 380 yards and six touchdowns, including five in the second quarter and three to Randy Moss. Chris Johnson rushes for 128 yards on 17 carries for the Titans. The Patriots defense holds the Titans to minus-seven net passing yards.
2012 Week 1 • Sept. 9, 2012 • PATRIOTS 34 at Titans 13
Jake Locker records his first NFL start and completes 23 of 32 passes for 229 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Patriots get 236 passing yards and two touchdown passes from Tom Brady and add 125 rushing yards from Stevan Ridley. Patriots tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez combine for 12 receptions for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Locker leaves the game in the fourth quarter with a left shoulder injury. Chris Johnson limited to four yards on 11 carries.
2015 Week 15 • Dec. 20, 2015 • Titans 16 at PATRIOTS 33
Marcus Mariota is knocked out of the game in the second quarter with a knee injury, and Zach Mettenberger comes on to complete 20 of 28 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Delanie Walker scores two touchdowns. Tom Brady leads the Patriots with 267 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. The Patriots produce five sacks and force three turnovers, including a fumble recovery for a touchdown, helping them build a 24-3 lead in the first half.
