Receiver Kevin Dyson kept the season alive

Dyson Works Playoff Miracle: Tennessee 22, Buffalo 16

Thanks to the late-game heroics of wide receiver Kevin Dyson, the word destiny will now be associated with the Tennessee Titans for the remainder of their playoff run.

The Titans earned the 'team of destiny' moniker following Dyson's seemingly impossible 75-yard kickoff return for a game-winning touchdown in Tennessee's 22-16 playoff victory over the Buffalo Bills.

With only 16 seconds remaining in the game and trailing the Bills 16-15, kicker Steve Christie lofted a short kickoff, which eventually fell into the waiting arms of Lorenzo Neal.

Neal handed the ball to tight end Frank Wycheck. Wycheck then sent his second pass of the season towards the west sideline in the direction of Dyson.

Dyson scooped up the lateral and cruised towards the endzone for what may be considered one of the greatest plays in NFL history. Ironically, Dyson was not head coach Jeff Fisher's first choice for this job.

According to Dyson, fellow wideout Isaac Byrd was still explaining the play to him as he ran onto the field. Dyson quickly became a member of the return unit due to injuries sustained by Derrick Mason and Anthony Dorsett.

'Unfortunately, it's unlikely that the play is going to work again,' joked head coach Jeff Fisher, referring to the play called 'home run throwback'.

The Bills (11-6) stood in disbelief after watching Dyson secure the Titans' (14-3) ninth consecutive victory at Adelphia Coliseum. It appeared that the game was sealed follwing Christie's 41-yard field goal with only seconds remaining, however, Fisher had other ideas.

'Our team found a way to win even when things looked gloomy,' Fisher said. 'It's a play that's going to be remembered for a long, long time.'

The Titans got off to a solid start in a first half marked by excellent defensive efforts on both sides. Tennessee, though, established a 12-0 lead behind Jevon Kearse's sack for a safety.

Quarterback Steve McNair (13-of-24 for 76 yds.) then engineered a drive that he capped off with a one-yard TD run. Kicker Al Del Greco added a 40-yard field goal to end the half.

The record crowd of 66,782 sensed a momentum change as Buffalo back Antowain Smith ran for a four-yard touchdown on the Bills' first possession of the second half.

Defense was the story for the remainder of the third quarter, until early in the fourth when Bill's quarterback Rob Johnson (10-of-22 for 131 yds.) connected with wideout Eric Moulds for a 37-yard gain. The pass set up another Smith touchdown.

With 6:15 remaining, the Titans ochestrated another drive behind several rushes from running back Eddie George (29 carries, 106 yds.). Del Greco finished the drive with a 36-yard field goal.

The games' epic finale was saved for Dyson, though.

'Maybe I'll get an ESPY,' said Dyson regarding his heroics.

The Titans now have their eyes on only one award, the Vince Lombardi Trophy, which is presented to the Super Bowl champions.

The Titans have a long road ahead of them, but the Georgia Dome is now one game closer. After all, this is a team of destiny.