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Kerry Collins, who took to the Giants to the Super Bowl after the 2000 season and started this year as a backup in Tennessee, entered the game looking to become the first quarterback to lead three franchises to postseason victories.

In his way stood the Ravens’ defense, which had intercepted Miami quarterback Chad Pennington four times in Baltimore’s wild-card victory last weekend.

Collins became the Tennessee starter early in the season, after the implosion of Vince Young. On Saturday, he led the Titans (13-4) down the field on their second drive of the game against the defense that was supposed to beat and batter him.

He found running back Chris Johnson on a swing pass, and Johnson juked and shifted up field for 28 yards. He found receiver Justin Gage on a comeback route for another 20-yard gain. Johnson capped the drive with an 8-yard touchdown dash, stretching the ball across the goal line for a 7-0 lead with 4 minutes 45 seconds left in the first period.

The Ravens (12-5) struck back immediately. Quarterback Joe Flacco, a rookie who has not played like one, launched a deep ball down the right sideline on third down. The home crowd held its breath while the ball seemed to hang in the air, and gasped when Derrick Mason settled underneath for a 48-yard score that tied the game.

History loomed between the teams, as always.