Titans 'Running' Into Oakland At Opportune Time
By David Doan December 19, 2001

With three games remaining, Tennessee goes to Oakland, Saturday, to face the AFC West Champion Raiders and try to get to .500 for the first time.

The Titans need to keep winning and receive a lot of Christmas gifts from other teams to make the playoffs.

Oakland Raiders Coach John Gruden believes even though the Titans record is 6-7, they are still very dangerous.

'Tennessee is Tennessee,' Gruden said. 'I don't care what their record is, they have won 26 games the last two seasons and just turning on the Green Bay tape will get your attention.'

The Titans meet the Raiders for the first time since the 1999 season, a game the Titans won 24-21. Overall the Titans have taken five of the last six games with Oakland and may be running into Oakland at the perfect time.

The Raiders are ranked 26th in the NFL against the run, but over the last six games the Raiders have given up an average of 173.5 rushing yards per contest. Last week the Titans rolled up 167 yards on the ground against Green Bay, so the Titans ground game may see big opportunities Saturday.

On the other side the Raiders' have a receiving core of Jerry Rice and Tim Brown, who have scorched defenses in 2001. For the season, Rice and Brown have a combined 167 receptions, just under 1900 yards, and 18 touchdowns.

Couple these future hall-of-famers with a solid quarterback in Rich Gannon and the 30th ranked Titan pass defense has a solid task ahead of them on Saturday.