Former Titans see game against Ravens as chance to avenge playoff losses

In this Jan. 10, 2009, file photo, Baltimore Ravens' Matt Stover (3) celebrates as Tennessee Titans linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) walks away after Stover kicked a 43-yard field goal with 53 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give the Ravens a 13-10 win in an NFL football divisional playoff game in Nashville, Tenn. At left is Ravens tight end Daniel Wilcox (83) and at right is center Chris Chester. The Titans playing the Ravens in the divisional round on Saturday night, Jan. 11, has revived strong memories of a very intense and bitter playoff rivalry along with the agony of possible Super Bowl titles lost. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File) In this Jan. 10, 2009, file photo, Baltimore Ravens' Matt Stover (3) celebrates as Tennessee Titans linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) walks away after Stover kicked a 43-yard field goal with 53 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give the Ravens a 13-10 win in an NFL football divisional playoff game in Nashville, Tenn. At left is Ravens tight end Daniel Wilcox (83) and at right is center Chris Chester. The Titans playing the Ravens in the divisional round on Saturday night, Jan. 11, has revived strong memories of a very intense and bitter playoff rivalry along with the agony of possible Super Bowl titles lost. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)

By TERESA M. WALKER / AP Pro Football Writer January 10, 2020 4 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Chris Johnson’s rookie season ended at Baltimore with his ankle injured so much he missed the Pro Bowl.

To Eddie George, a divisional round loss to the Ravens after the 2000 season ranks as possibly his most painful.

The Titans playing the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round on Saturday night has revived strong memories of an intense and bitter rivalry along with the agony of possible Super Bowl titles lost.

“Only thing I can say, this could be a revenge game for us,” Johnson said.

In both 2000 and 2008, Tennessee had both the NFL’s best record and the AFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the playoffs with Baltimore the wild-card team. This time around, the roles have reversed with Baltimore (14-2) the AFC’s top seed and the favorite to reach the Super Bowl and the Titans (10-7) coming in off a big wild-card victory.