Nashville, TN – In 11 all-time meetings between the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Titans have won nine of the games in the series, which dates back to Tampa Bay’s expansion season of 1976. The Titans won five consecutive meetings from 1989 through 2003.
The first game between the two franchises was a historic occasion. On September 12th, 1976, the Buccaneers, led by head coach John McKay and quarterback Steve Spurrier, played the inaugural game in team history against the Oilers at the Astrodome. The Oilers, coached by Bum Phillips and quarterbacked by Dan Pastorini, won the game by a final score of 20-0.
The Titans have hosted seven of the 11 meetings in the series. They have traveled to Tampa Bay for a regular season game on four occasions and just three times in Raymond James Stadium, which opened in 1998.
The Titans and Buccaneers most recently met in the 2015 season opener (September 13th) at Raymond James Stadium. The matchup featured the top two picks in the 2015 NFL Draft and the two most recent Heisman Trophy winners at the time, Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (first overall) and the Titans’ Marcus Mariota. Mariota passed for four touchdowns and a 158.3 passer rating, helping the Titans prevail 42-14.
In the previous meeting in Tampa Bay in 2007, the Buccaneers wrestled away a 13-10 victory over the Titans. They used a 43-yard field goal by Matt Bryant with 11 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to capture the win.
Earlier in the game, Titans quarterback Vince Young suffered a leg injury, bringing on then-back-up Kerry Collins. Collins engineered an 86-yard, game-tying drive just prior to Tampa Bay’s clinching drive.
The last time the Titans and Buccaneers faced each other at Nissan Stadium was on November 27th, 2011. With three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck found wide receiver Damian Williams in the back of the end zone for the go-ahead score in an eventual 23-17 win.
Running back Chris Johnson produced one of the best games of his career, gaining 190 yards on 23 carries (8.3 avg.). It was the third highest rushing yardage total in his four-year career, and the 13th-highest rushing number in franchise history.
Defensively, the Titans forced five turnovers in the cold, rainy conditions, including an interception by then rookie middle linebacker Colin McCarthy and four fumble recoveries.
Most Recent Matchups
2003 Week 17 • Dec. 28, 2003 • Buccaneers 13 at TITANS 33
Quarterback Neil O’Donnell records his final career start due to recent injuries to Steve McNair (ankle and calf) and Billy Volek (spleen). O’Donnell passes for 232 yards with two touchdown passes to Derrick Mason. Safety Tank Williams notches two interceptions off Brad Johnson, and defensive end Jevon Kearse adds another. Gary Anderson kicks four field goals. The Titans earn their 12th victory of the season en route to the playoffs.
2007 Week 6 • Oct. 14, 2007 • Titans 10 at BUCCANEERS 13
Kerry Collins passes for 125 yards after filling in for an injured Vince Young (quadriceps) in the third quarter, but the Buccaneers use a 43-yard, last second field goal by Matt Bryant to win 13-10. LenDale White’s two-yard touchdown run ties the game at 10-10 before Jeff Garcia’s game-winning, 55-yard drive. Earlier in the second half, Garcia connects with Joey Galloway for a 69-yard touchdown pass.
2011 Week 12 • Nov. 27, 2011 • Buccaneers 17 at TITANS 23
In rainy conditions, Matt Hasselbeck completes the go-ahead touchdown pass to Damian Williams on fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line with three minutes remaining. Chris Johnson rushes for 190 yards on 23 carries. Tommie Campbell scores the Titans’ first touchdown on a reverse on a kickoff return. The teams combine for nine turnovers—five by the Buccaneers and four by the Titans.
2015 Week 1 • Sept. 13, 2015 • TITANS 42 at Buccaneers 14
In his first NFL game, Marcus Mariota passes for four touchdowns and a 158.3 passer rating, outdueling Tampa Bay’s Jameis Winston. Coty Sensabaugh returns an interception 26 yards for a touchdown on Winston’s first pass. The Titans total four sacks and two interceptions. Kendall Wright catches four passes for 101 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown. Bishop Sankey scores a rushing and receiving touchdown.
