TITANS AVENGE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME LOSS TO RAIDERS, 25-20

The Tennessee Titans opened the 2003 NFL season by exacting revenge on the team that kept them from the Super Bowl last season.  Behind 269 yards passing and two touchdowns from QB STEVE MC NAIR, the Titans defeated the Oakland Raiders in Tennessee on Sunday night, 25-20.

In a rematch of the 2002 AFC Championship Game, McNair and Raiders QB RICH GANNON, who threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns, battled each other tit for tat.  McNair connected with WRs TYRONE CALICO and DERRICK MASON for scores while Gannon threw touchdown strikes to RB CHARLIE GARNER and WR TIM BROWN.

The difference in the game may have been the foot of Titans P CRAIG HENTRICH.  When Tennessee’s K JOE NEDNEY went down with a knee injury in the second quarter, Hentrich took over the kicking duties as well.  The former Notre Dame kicker connected on three field goals of 49, 34 and 33 yards to help seal the Titans’ victory.