The Bills make their first appearance at Adelphia Coliseum as these teams collide for the second time in 3 years.
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| Jevon Kearse and the Titans have made life miserable for opponents at Adelphia Coliseum. |
Including playoffs, Titans own a 22-15 overall edge in the series standings and have prevailed in the last 2 meetings, including a 31-14 triumph in 1997 at the Liberty Bowl in the most recent battle between the franchises.
The Bills own just a 6-11 road record in this series (6-10 at Houston, 0-1 at Tennessee) dating back to 1960.
This marks the third postseason meeting between these clubs, with Buffalo prevailing in both previous encounters (by a combined score of 58-48). The Bills posted a 17-10 victory over the then-Houston Oilers at Ralph Wilson Stadium in the 1988 AFC Divisional Playoffs, as well as a historic 41-38 overtime win over the then-Houston Oilers at Orchard Park in the 1992 AFC Wild Card Game which saw since-departed Bills QB Frank Reich (starting for an injured Jim Kelly) rally the Bills from a 35-3 third-quarter deficit, the biggest comeback (32 points) in NFL regular season or postseason history.
Numbers: The Bills have committed 13 turnovers and allowed 14 sacks in 11 wins while committing 14 turnovers and allowing 15 sacks in five losses in '99. They have allowed 116 points in 11 wins, 113 points in 5 losses in '99. They have rushed for 130 or more yards in 3 straight games. RB Jonathan Linton has scored at least one touchdown in four straight games.
The Titans have totaled 54 sacks in 16 games in '99, this after totaling just 30 sacks in 16 games in '98. After giving up just five touchdown passes in their first seven games, the Titans have allowed 45 TD passes in their last 25 contests dating back to 1998. The Titans have forced three or more turnovers in four straight games. They have scored 30 or more points in three straight games.
The Coaches: Bills head coach Wade Phillips is 0-2 in postseason play (0-1 with Raiders, 0-1 with Bills), while Titans head coach Jeff Fisher is making his first postseason appearance as an NFL head coach.
Postseason History: The Bills are making their 17th overall playoff appearance (13th since merger) and are 14-14 in postseason play (12-12 since merger), while the Titans are making their 16th overall playoff appearance (11th since merger) and are 9-13 in postseason play (7-10 since merger).
Things To Look For: In a somewhat stunning move, Wade Phillips has sat down QB Doug Flutie and opted for Rob Johnson, who comes off an impressive outing in Buffalo's win over the Colts. But if the Bills' inconsistent offensive line can't find a way to block Titans rookie DE Jevon Kearse, who's playing quarterback will quickly become a moot. Jeff Fisher's team is rolling, but don't dismiss the savvy Bills.
Etc.: The Titans are making their first playoff appearance since 1993 and are hosting a postseason game for the first time since the then-Houston Oilers lost to Kansas City, 28-20, at the Astrodome in the '93 AFC Divisional Playoffs. The Bills have won three straight games. The Titans have won four straight games. The Titans have won eight straight home games. The Titans are 16-2 vs. AFC Central rivals, 5-9 vs. the rest of the NFL dating back to '98.
Bills RB Thurman Thomas has scored at least one touchdown in an NFL-record nine straight postseason games (1992-98). Thomas has scored at least one rushing touchdown in an NFL-record tying eight straight postseason games and needs one rushing touchdown to set a new postseason record. Thomas is the NFL's all-time leader in postseason total combined net yards (2,114). Thomas has caught a pass in 18 consecutive postseason games, tied for third-most all-time.
