Wednesday, December 8 Baxter Bits: Raiders at Titans By Russell S. Baxter Special to ESPN.com |
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Oakland heads to Tennessee as these one-time original AFL rivals renew acquaintances for just the fourth time in the 1990s. Including playoffs, while the Raiders own a 23-14 advantage in the series standings (3-0 in playoffs), the Titans have prevailed in four of the last five meetings, including a 24-21 overtime victory on opening day of 1997 at the Liberty Bowl in the most recent encounter between the franchises. The Raiders have now dropped four straight road tilts in this series (3 at the Astrodome, 1 at the Liberty Bowl) dating back to 1988.
Numbers: After committing just 14 turnovers in their first eight games (6-2) in 1998, the Raiders have committed 52 turnovers in their last 20 contests (8-12). After allowing just 175 points in their first 10 games in 1998 (7-3), the Raiders have allowed 428 points in their last 18 games (7-11). The Raiders have forced two or more turnovers in three straight games. Titans QB Steve McNair has thrown no touchdown passes and six interceptions in his last five games. After giving up just five touchdown passes in their first seven games, the Titans have allowed 40 TD passes in their last 21 contests dating back to 1998. The Titans have played 6-of-12 games in '99 decided by three or fewer points.
Things to look for: Just as it looked like you could count on both teams for different reasons, the Raiders showed they still have some life in handling the Seahawks while the Titans were smacked around in Baltimore. Tennessee's secondary looked overmatched against the less-than-imposing Ravens' passing attack, and could have even bigger problems against Raiders' QB Rich Gannon and WR Tim Brown. Etc.: After opening 7-3 under head coach Jon Gruden, the Raiders are 7-11 in their last 18 games dating back to '98. WR Tim Brown (10,636) needs 80 yards to tie Stanley Morgan (10,716) for 13th place on the NFL's all-time receiving yardage list. Brown has caught at least 1 pass in 104 straight games. The Titans have won five straight home games. They are 14-2 vs. AFC Central rivals, 3-9 vs. the rest of the NFL dating back to '98. PK Al Del Greco (1,431) needs eight points to tie Jim Turner (1,439) for 9th place on the NFL's all-time scoring list. |
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