The last time the Tennessee Titans hosted a home playoff game was in 2008. However, the last time the Titans won a playoff game was all the way back 13 years to the 2003-2004 season.
The city of Nashville hasn’t seen big time success from a professional team in a few years. Now, they are seeing it in the Nashville Predators.
And this Titans team is embracing the moment along with their city.
“I hope our players can watch how these guys are playing and the results that are coming from it. Even with injured players, they are still playing at a high level,” said Head Coach Mike Mularkey. “I really think this is good for our football team to watch what is going on with the Preds and this city.”
A good portion of Mularkey’s team is watching the success unfold right in Bridgestone Arena. The entire Titans offensive line, quarterback Marcus Mariota and running back Demarco Murray have been at many of the games. Left tackle Taylor Lewan and center Ben Jones have been seen on national television, and on top of the “Preds” band stage chugging beers and holding large catfish up in the air for the world to see.
Lewan even participated in a Predators “tradition” of throwing a catfish onto the ice during Tuesday night’s Western Conference Final victory.
“It’s been fun,” said Lewan on their game shenanigans. “You put the cameras on us and the linemen are going to chug a beer. We’ll have one stocked and ready to rock every time. We can’t wait.”
Yeah, the Titans players pump up the crowd in Bridgestone and even thousands outside at the raucous watch parties. But, this team is also taking note of the Predators success.
“Just to see the way these guys have been excelling in the postseason has really set the bar real high. Not only for themselves, but for us,” said Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo. “We look at that as an inspiration that’s why we are all-in.”
The on-going theme from many players in the Titans locker room is the passion the fans have shown this Predators team. They want to experience it in Nissan Stadium.
“We want carry on where they are leaving off right now, so it’s going to move over to our hands in a couple weeks,” said Titans center Ben Jones.
These Titans want to see the Predators take home the Stanley Cup over the next couple of weeks. However, Lewan said, his Titans have a chance to make the buzz in this city even bigger.
“I mean, the electricity around this town is just unbelievable right now. I can’t imagine… I mean this is hockey in the south, it is what it is,” he said. “Imagine football having that kind of success in the south, it’s just this could be the next Titletown.”
If the Predators hoist the Stanley Cup down Broadway (which we hope they do), it only gives more drive for success in the Titans locker room.
“Those guys are doing a phenomenal job just setting the tone,” said Orakpo. “It is definitely huge for this city. Just inspiration it is huge. We are definitely going to use it as motivation when our season comes around.”
