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Mike Keith: Needing To Bounce Back
September 13, 2009
It wasn't the most hostile environment ever for the Titans. Obviously, I'm talking about Pittsburgh on September 10.
It's not that the Steelers fans can't get hostile (they can). It's not like they can't get loud (they did). It's not like they can't be a factor (they were). But the expected venom wasn't there in the '09 season opener.
They were having too much fun.
Heinz Field was celebrating a Super Bowl championship more than it was going after Tennessee for its Terrible Towel tromping from last December 21. And when you are celebrating, you generally ain't hostile.
Hard to hate when you are showin' the love.
Plus, Tennessee handled the Steelers well in the first quarter, leaving Pittsburghers sitting on their hands.
If you wanted hostile, you should have witnessed the scene at the 2000 season opener at Buffalo.
Sunday night football on Labor Day weekend (translated: all day to party with NO WORK on Monday).
The first game for Buffalo after the "Music City Miracle". Bills fans REALLY didn't think it was a lateral.
And then: Jeff Fisher chooses to introduce his special teams as his starters.
Bills fans were brutal. Just brutal. All night long.
The irony is that the 2000 season opener was basically same football game that we saw in Pittsburgh. See if this sounds familiar...
Titans had many chances, did many things very well, but failed to cash in fully.
Tennessee attacked the opponent's quarterback with a furious pass rush.
Pass defense slipped late, which allowed a game-winning field goal.
Tennessee was sick afterwards, feeling that they had let one get away.
That one was Buffalo 16 Tennessee 13. The '09 season-opener was Pittsburgh 13 Tennessee 10 (OT).
Almost the exact same game, nine years later.
The 2000 Titans did not stay down long.
The Titans followed up the disappointing loss at Buffalo with an overtime win over Kansas City. After a Week 3 bye, Tennessee would win 7 more in a row. The Titans would finish 2000 with the best record in football at 13-3.
The '00 Titans were a veteran team that took their first loss in stride, forgetting it quickly and going back to work. The '09 Titans are also a veteran team and now we watch to see if they can bounce back, as well.
But whereas second opponent Kansas City was an average team in 2000, Houston is not in 2009. These Texans are talented, explosive offensively and hungry for their time in the spotlight. Tennessee needs to beat them not only to avoid going 0-2, but also to win a home AFC South game AND pin a division loss on the Texans.
Plus, we all know what this series means to the Houston franchise. They would love to pull the scab off of the Titans' open wound and drop Tennessee to 0-2.
The Titans just can't let it happen.
A big game? Already in Week 2?
Affirmative.
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