Tennessee's first game of the 2005 calendar year came as a victory thanks to a relentless Titans defense that gave 100% with nothing to lose.

Already well out of the playoff picture and with the season ending regardless of Sunday's outcome, the Titans defensive unit found enough motivation to stop the Detroit Lions in what would prove to be the game winning defensive play.

''I just knew it was the last little drive,'' Titans linebacker and defensive leader Keith Bulluck said. ''If we stopped them, we were scott free.''

With 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Titans led by five but faced a determined Detroit offense.

Lions quarterback Joey Harrington led Detroit down the field, but was stopped on fourth down and three from the Titans 16 yard line. Safety Donnie Nickey broke up a pass play to silence the Lions drive and seal a Tennessee win.

Though the win improved the Titans to a meager 5-11 record for the season, Bulluck said this win meant a little bit more.

''It's real important to give these young guys something to believe in,'' Bulluck said. ''So when we come back full strength next year, it's going to be a different story.''

Bulluck, named a reserve for this season's Pro Bowl, provided a huge momentum swing early on with a 39 yard touchdown run after stripping Harrington of the ball. The score was the first of the game and gave the Titans an early 7-0 lead.

''I just came in; got the sack and the strip,'' Bulluck said. ''I looked for the ball, and once I had it in my hands, the fullback was still trying to block me, and I was trying to score.''

Later in the game, Bulluck left the field and retreated to the lockerroom to receive fluids. Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher said Bulluck, along with defensive teammate Kevin Carter, was suffering from flu-like symptoms before the game.

Regardless of his health, Bulluck finished the game with 13 tackles and a sack along with the fumble recovery for a touchdown.

''It's been a long season,'' Bulluck said after the game. ''I'm just glad for my teammates, my coaching staff, and the community of Nashville that the first game played in 2005 is a victory.''