Titans Franchise vs. Raiders; Sunday Marks Fourth Postseason Meeting
By Bart Barker January, 15 2003

Sunday's AFC Championship between the Titans and the Raiders will be the fourth time in Titans franchise history that the two teams have met in the playoffs.

During the 1967 season, head coach Wally Lemm guided the franchise to a 9-4-1 record. The franchise met the Raiders in Oakland for a New Years Eve showdown to determine the AFL championship. This was the inaugural meeting between the two clubs in the playoffs. The Raiders took the AFL crown winning 40-7.

Despite posting a 6-6-1 regular season record, the 1969 team traveled back to Oakland to meet in an AFL playoff game. The Raiders had full control on the bay once again. As the final seconds expired off the clock, the Raiders advanced by beating the franchise 56-7.

The third playoff matchup wouldn't occur until the 1980 season. Head Coach O.A. 'Bum' Phillips led the franchise to an 11-5 and clinched a wild card matchup with Oakland. For the third time, the franchise took to the road and met the Raiders in Oakland. The Raiders had a better hand in the wild card game winning 27-7.

With Sunday being the fourth postseason meeting between the Titans franchise and the Raiders, it also marks the 14th time that two teams have met in the regular season and eventually matched up in the AFC Championship.