2016 Playoff Win
A tied series between Houston's new franchise and the successor to its former team.
The Texans–Titans rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans. The overall series is tied, 24–24. The two teams have not met in the playoffs.
Quick Facts
- Season record
- 9-7
- Playoff result
- Won Wild Card, Lost Divisional Round
- Key victory
- 26-24 vs. Indianapolis Colts (OT)
- Head coach
- Bill O'Brien
- Quarterback
- Deshaun Watson (Rookie)
- Mvp candidate
- Jadeveon Clowney (Defensive Standout)
- Division finish
- AFC South Champions
Lore & Background
The Titans franchise began as the Houston Oilers before relocating to Tennessee in the 1997 season. The team was renamed the Tennessee Titans in 1999. In 2002, the NFL awarded Houston an expansion team, the Houston Texans, and established the AFC South division. Both teams were placed in the new division, resulting in two annual meetings. During the 2000s, the Titans held the early advantage. In subsequent years, the Texans became more competitive, leading to a more balanced rivalry.
Reader's Guide
The rivalry has featured notable incidents, including a fight on November 28, 2010, when Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson and Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan exchanged blows and were ejected. In 2011, both teams were in the hunt for the division title. In 2018, the Texans won the AFC South at 11–5 and split with Tennessee. In 2019, the Texans beat the Titans 24–21 in Week 15, and the Titans clinched the sixth seed in the playoffs with a 35–14 win in Week 17. The most competitive games came in 2020, with the Titans winning both meetings in overtime and by a field goal, respectively, setting rivalry scoring records of 78 and 79 points. The Titans wore Oilers throwback uniforms in their home games against the Texans for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, with the Texans winning both games.
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