Big Plays

Titans in Unfamiliar Territory

With Sunday's 41-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Tennessee Titans propelled themselves to a record of 12-3 this season. That stands as the first time in the 40 year history of the franchise to be at that mark.

'Everybody was very excited after the ball game against the best team in the league. It was rewarding for us to play the way we did and to win as convincingly as we did,' said Titans head coach Jeff Fisher at his weekly press conference.

The Titans remain in contension for the AFC Central throne and home field advantage throughout the playoffs with some help from Cincinnati.

'Our next step is to beat Pittsburgh. We feel the potential to win the division is there. The chance that Cincinnati to go down and beat Jacksonville is good, but we've got to take care of our part of the deal,' said Fisher. A lot of criticism by fans and media of Steve McNair led up to Sunday's battle with the Jaguars. McNair dispelled his doubters by throwing five touchdown passes with no interceptions.

'I think he proved himself about the types of things he can do against a top defense in the league, but Steve knows you are only as good as your next game,' said Fisher.

Wide Reciever Yancey Thigpen returned to the lineup on Sunday after missing several games with an ankle sprain. Fisher believes his presence helped McNair.

'It helped. Yancey had two big plays. The third down conversion and obviously the touchdown. I think it picked up the play of the receivers. Kevin (Dyson) was as productive as he has been in a number of weeks,' Fisher said.

Tennessee's offensive line played huge keeping the Jaguar's pass rush away from the backfield.

'We played very physical up front. They protected very well. They caught us on a couple of stunts and got a free rusher, but Steve made them miss,' said Fisher. 'This was probably the most physical game we've played.'

The defensive line played hard as well.

'I thought we cut off the ball up front in the first couple of series as good as we have. Josh Evans was dominating up front, inside. He was making a lot of plays by himself,' Fisher said.

Sunday's outcome reinforced a belief of the Titans.

'Our guys believe they can play with anybody and expect to win against anybody. We have yet to put together a game like we did yesterday,' Fisher said.