The Tennessee Titans haven’t had a ton of postseason success over the years, but Saturday’s 22-21 comeback win at Kansas City was definitely one of the more memorable victories since the franchise moved to Nashville. It was the Titans’ sixth-ever playoff win, and their first in 14 years. Here is how we would rank the Titans’ six playoff victories…
6. Titans 20, Ravens 17: 2003 Wild Card
In a game where Steve McNair threw three interceptions and Eddie George averaged 3.5 yards per carry, the Titans found a way to go on the road and beat rival Baltimore on Wild Card Weekend. Gary Anderson drilled a 46-yard field goal with 29 seconds remaining in the game to vault the Titans to victory. One memorable highlight of the win was George’s epic stiff-arm on Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.
5. Titans 19, Colts 16: 1999 Divisional
One week after shocking the football world with the “Music City Miracle”, the Titans traveled to the RCA Dome to take on Indianapolis in Peyton Manning’s playoff debut. Eddie George’s 68-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was a game-changer, as he rushed for 162 yards in the game. After taking a 19-9 lead, the Titans held on to advance to the AFC Championship Game.
4. Titans 22, Chiefs 21: 2017 Wild Card
Saturday’s win in Kansas City was the Titans’ largest comeback victory in the postseason. Trailing 21-3 at half, Marcus Mariota shined in the second half with two touchdown passes (one to himself), while Derrick Henry took over on the ground with 156 rushing yards. On a crucial third down in the fourth quarter, Mariota’s key block sprung Henry to a game-clinching first down to give the Titans their first playoff win in 14 years.
3. Titans 34, Steelers 31 (OT): 2002 Divisional
The Titans and Steelers engaged in an intense, back-and-forth game that featured multiple momentum swings and lead changes. Steve McNair threw for 338 yards in a game where he didn’t have Eddie George (concussion) for all but one play of the second half. With the game tied 31-31, Joe Nedney missed a 48-yard field goal on the last play of regulation. He shanked another field goal in overtime, but a running-into-the-kicker penalty by Pittsburgh gave Nedney a second kick that he did not miss.
2. Titans 33, Jaguars 14: 1999 AFC Championship
Jacksonville entered the AFC Championship suffering just two losses all season – both coming against the Titans in the regular season. With the Titans leading 17-14 in the third quarter, Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell was sacked in the end-zone for a safety, which was followed up by a Derrick Mason free-kick return for a touchdown that gave Tennessee a 26-14 lead. The Titans would go on to beat the Jaguars a third time and advance to their first-ever Super Bowl.
1. Titans 22, Bills 16: 1999 Wild Card
The Titans’ first-ever trip to The Big Game would not have happened without the most iconic play in franchise history. Buffalo’s Steve Christie made a field goal with 16 seconds remaining to give the Bills a 16-15 lead that looked insurmountable. Then came the “Music City Miracle”, where Frank Wycheck’s lateral to Kevin Dyson was taken 75 yards to paydirt. It was pandemonium in Adelphia Coliseum, as in an instant the Titans’ franchise was changed forever.