Tennessee Titans · Franchise era 2 of 8
From collapse to Bum Phillips: the Tennessee Titans story
Franchise era
1967—1977
From collapse to Bum Phillips
Tennessee Titans
The story in one sentence
The Oilers bottomed out before Phillips and the draft picks who would power one of the city's most beloved teams arrived.
A defense begins to restore Houston pride
Elvin Bethea, Robert Brazile and Dan Pastorini gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for luv ya blue.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 1967
What came before
Houston won the first two AFL championships and reached a third behind Blanda's passing and one of the young league's most explosive attacks.
1967-12-31
Conference Championship: Houston Oilers vs Oakland Raiders
1969-12-21
Divisional Round: Houston Oilers vs Oakland Raiders
After 1977
What came next
Campbell's punishing MVP seasons packed the Astrodome and sent Houston to consecutive conference championship games against Pittsburgh.
The core