Titans History
From Houston Oilers founder Bud Adams in 1959 through the Music City Miracle, Earl Campbell, CJ2K, Derrick Henry, and the new East Bank stadium — six decades of Two-Tone Blue football, year by year.
Founding Era
An AFL franchise is born
On August 3, K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr. announces Houston's entry into the new American Football League. On October 31 he names the team the "Oilers" — for sentimental and social reasons.
First game, first win
Oilers sign LSU Heisman winner Billy Cannon, then beat Oakland 37-22 in the franchise's first regular-season game. Lou Rymkus named AFL's first Coach of the Year.
Back-to-back AFL Champions
Oilers defeat the LA Chargers 24-16 for the first AFL Championship, then repeat the next year. Blanda throws 36 TDs; team becomes first pro team to score 500+ points in a season.
Three-peat division title
Oilers win a third consecutive AFL Eastern Division crown at 11-3, but lose the title game to Dallas in the historic six-quarter classic.
Astrodome Era
First domed home in pro football
Oilers play their first game in the Astrodome — the first pro football team to play home games indoors.
Ken Houston's record day
S Ken Houston sets the all-time pro record by returning two interceptions for TDs in one game (vs. Chargers); finishes the year with four pick-sixes — also an NFL record.
Luv Ya Blue
Bum Phillips takes over
Bum Phillips named head coach. Oilers go 10-4 in his first season — their best record since 1962.
Earl Campbell arrives
Oilers trade up to draft Texas's Heisman winner Earl Campbell. Campbell wins Rookie of the Year, leads the team to the AFC Championship Game.
Tyler Rose dominates
Campbell wins his second straight rushing crown; Oilers return to the AFC title game (lose again to Steelers). Vernon Perry sets an NFL playoff record with 4 INTs vs. San Diego.
Campbell's record season
Earl Campbell rushes for 1,934 yards — second-highest single-season total in NFL history at the time. Four 200-yard rushing games, another NFL record.
Run-and-Shoot
Glanville and the House of Pain
Oilers reach the playoffs for the first time since 1980. Warren Moon throws 21 TDs (most since Blanda in 1963).
Moon shatters records
Warren Moon throws for 527 yards in a single game (2nd-best in NFL history at the time) and becomes the all-time Oilers passing leader, surpassing George Blanda.
First AFC Central title
Oilers win their first-ever undisputed AFC Central championship by beating Pittsburgh 31-6.
11-game win streak
Houston wins 11 in a row to close the regular season — still one of the longest streaks in franchise history.
The Move
NFL approves the relocation
In April, the NFL approves the franchise's relocation from Houston to Nashville. The Oilers play two final seasons in Memphis and Vanderbilt Stadium as the transition completes.
Final Oilers season
Last season under the Oilers name; the team plays at Vanderbilt Stadium awaiting their new Nashville home.
Titans Era
Music City Miracle & Super Bowl run
The rebranded Tennessee Titans go 13-3, beat Buffalo on the Music City Miracle, and reach Super Bowl XXXIV — falling one yard short to the Rams. Eddie George and Steve McNair lead the way.
13-3 again
Titans match their franchise-best 13-3 record, win the AFC Central, but fall in the divisional round.
Co-MVP McNair
Steve McNair shares the NFL MVP award with Peyton Manning; Titans reach the AFC Championship Game.
Fisher & CJ2K
13-3, AFC's #1 seed
Titans go 13-3 and earn the AFC's top seed. Six Pro Bowlers — Mawae, Roos, Chris Johnson, Haynesworth, Hope, Finnegan. Ring of Honor unveiled at LP Field.
Chris Johnson hits 2,000
Chris Johnson rushes for 2,006 yards — joining the 2,000-yard club. He also sets the NFL record for total yards from scrimmage in a season (2,509).
Exotic Smashmouth
First playoff win in 14 years
Titans erase a 21-3 halftime deficit to beat the Chiefs in Kansas City — the second-largest playoff road comeback in NFL history.
AFC Championship run
Derrick Henry runs over the Patriots and Ravens in back-to-back postseason wins (franchise-record 182 and 195 yards). Titans reach the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 2002.
Henry's 2,000-yard season
Derrick Henry rushes for 2,027 yards and wins his second straight NFL rushing title. McNair (#9) and Eddie George (#27) jerseys retired.
Back-to-back AFC South
Titans claim back-to-back AFC South crowns and earn the AFC's #1 seed — first time since 2008. Mike Vrabel wins AP NFL Coach of the Year.
New Era
New stadium approved
Nashville Metro Council approves a new $2.1B enclosed stadium on the East Bank — a 30-year lease anchoring the Titans in Nashville through 2053.
Historical highlights, dates, and franchise milestones on this page are sourced from the official Tennessee Titans historical archive:
tennesseetitans.com/history/historical-highlightsThe Titan Standard is an independent fan publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Tennessee Titans or the NFL.
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