Running back Eddie George

Titans Reach Final Four: Tennesseee 19, Indianapolis 16

On Sunday afternoon, the Tennessee Titans claimed the last spot in the NFL’s final four.

Indianapolis’ RCA Dome is accustomed to hosting the NCAA Men’s Final Four every few years, however, Tennessee’s 19-16 win over the Colts in the AFC divisional playoff propelled the Titans to another destination, the AFC Championship game.

The Titans (15-3) successfully overcame a hostile crowd and a three-point halftime deficit to earn the franchise’s first trip to the conference championship game since 1979. It wasn’t an outstanding offensive effort that launched Tennessee to victory, but a stingy defense.

Tennessee held Indianapolis (13-4) to 305 total yards of offense, which included a mere 78 rushing yards. In addition, the normally explosive Colts were allowed only three field goals by the Titans in a conservative first half.

Both teams had problems converting third down opportunities in the first 30 minutes. As a result, Indianapolis kicker Mike Vanderjagt connected on three field goals of 40, 40 and 34-yards respectively.

Titans’ kicker Al Del Greco answered Vanderjagt’s perfect half with two three-pointers of his own, a 49 and 37-yarder.

Both quarterbacks looked unsteady throughout most of the half. Titans’ signal caller Steve McNair connected on 6-of-13 pass attempts for only 47 yards. McNair finished the game with13-of-24 completions for 162 yards.

Following the lackluster first half, Titans head coach Jeff Fisher indicated that a message would be sent early in the second half. Running back Eddie George brought that message across loud and clear with a 68-yard touchdown run on the Titans’ third play from scrimmage. George’s sprint was the longest in Oilers/Titans playoff history.

George’s run and 162 yards on the ground set the tone for the remainder of the second half as the Titans’ defense locked down and tried to maintain the 13-9 lead.

The Colts, led by second-year quarterback Peyton Manning, squandered two possessions in the third quarter and were dominated on the offensive side of the ball by Tennessee. Manning, though, did connect on 19-of-43 pass attempts for 227 yards.

The Titans stretched their lead to 16-9 thanks to a clock-eating drive that saw the end of the third quarter and over two minutes of the fourth used in a possession that was capped off by a 25-yard Del Greco chip shot with 12:51 left to play in the game.

The Colts had a chance to get back into the game after a Craig Hentrich punt was returned 86-yards by Terrence Wilkins. The return, though, was called back to Indianapolis’ 33-yard line after it was determined that Wilkins stepped out of bounds. The 63-yard difference proved to be a huge obstacle to the Colts’ comeback bid.

Another 43-yard field goal by Del Greco apparently secured the victory with 4:13 remaining, but Indianapolis recovered a George fumble just over one minute later. Manning then engineered a desperation touchdown drive that he finished with a 15-yard touchdown run.

Tennessee recovered Indianapolis’ on-sides kick and guaranteed themselves a trip to Jacksonville for next Sunday’s AFC title showdown with the Jags.

The Titans have convincingly beaten Jacksonville twice this season and look to make the third time a charm next weekend. The Jaguars are an impressive 16-2 at home over the past two seasons. The two losses, however, have come courtesy of the Titans.

The road to Atlanta and Super Bowl XXXIV goes through Jacksonville.