August 4, 2026
August 4, 2026
2002 Tennessee Titans: Emphatic Rebound
A few seasons removed from their memorable run to Super Bowl XXXIV, the Tennessee Titans remained a team in the championship hunt for the next few seasons. The 2002 Tennessee Titans authored another successful season, even though early signs wouldn’t have suggested as much. Most of the team that went to Super Bowl XXXIV remained intact for this deep playoff run, and statistically speaking, the Titans were still one of the more productive teams in the NFL.
In the 2002 NFL season, the 2002 Tennessee Titans went 11-5, winning the AFC South Division by just 1 game over the Indianapolis Colts. The Titans were amazing in divisional play, going a perfect 6-0, while going 9-3 in conference play.
Quarterback Steve McNair completed 301 of 492 pass attempts for 3,387 yards and 22 touchdowns, while throwing 15 interceptions. McNair was also known for his ability to scramble and make plays on the fly, as he had 82 rushing attempts for 440 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Eddie George had 343 rushing attempts for 1,165 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also adding 36 receptions for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Robert Holcombe had 47 rushing attempts for 242 yards. Running back John Simon was primarily a receiving option, with 16 receptions for 167 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Leading the charge in the receiving game was wide receiver Derrick Mason, who had 125 receptions for 1,012 yards and 5 touchdowns. Wide receiver Drew Bennett had 33 receptions for 478 yards and 2 touchdowns. Wide receiver Kevin Dyson had 41 receptions for 460 yards and 4 touchdowns. Tight end Frank Wycheck had 40 receptions for 346 yards and 2 touchdowns. Wide receiver Justin McCareins had 19 receptions for 301 yards and 2 touchdowns.
On special teams, John Simon had 20 kick returns for 371 yards and 13 punt returns for 113 yards. Justin McCareins had 13 kick returns for 300 yards. Wide receiver Eddie Berlin had 13 kick returns for 260 yards.
Tennessee’s defense was very productive when the time called for them to step up. Linebacker Keith Bullock had 99 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries for 61 yards and 1 touchdown. Linebacker Peter Sirmon had 72 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 interceptions for 88 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensive end Kevin Carter had 10 sacks and 1 fumble recovery. Defensive end Carlos Hall had 8 sacks and 1 forced fumble. Defensive tackle Henry Ford had 3.5 sacks, and defensive tackle Robaire Smith had 2.5 sacks. Defensive end Jevon Kearse and defensive tackle John Thornton each had 2 sacks. Three players had 1 sack apiece: middle linebacker Randall Godfrey, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, and defensive end Juqua Parker.
Free safety Lance Schulters had 73 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 interceptions for 56 yards, and 1 fumble recovery. Left cornerback Andre Dyson had 54 tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions for 27 yards and 1 touchdown, and 2 forced fumbles. Strong safety Clevan “Tank” Williams had 46 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. Cornerback Donald Mitchell had 41 tackles, 1 interception, and 3 fumble recoveries. Right cornerback Samari Rolle had 2 interceptions. Defensive back and linebacker Rich Coady had 1 interception for 24 yards and 1 touchdown.
The start of the regular season was rough for the 2002 Tennessee Titans, who dropped four straight games to fall to 1-4. The Titans could not afford to keep losing, and what followed was an emphatic rebound that thrust the team back into the championship hunt. The Titans finished strong with a 10-1 record the rest of the way, reeling off two separate 5-game winning streaks with just 1 loss in between.
The first 5-game winning streak began in Week 6 on October 13 with a 23-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it ended in Week 11 on November 17 with a 31-23 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The second 5-game winning streak began in Week 13 on December 1 with a tight 32-29 overtime victory over the New York Giants, and it ended in Week 17 on December 29 with a 13-3 win over the expansion Houston Texans.
In the Divisional Round on January 11, the Titans hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers at The Coliseum, and it took overtime to determine a winner. Steve McNair performed valiantly for Tennessee, completing 27 of 44 passes for 338 yards and 2 touchdowns while throwing 2 interceptions. Quarterback Tommy Maddox, who wasn’t far removed from reviving his career in the defunct XFL with the Los Angeles Xtreme, started for Pittsburgh and completed 21 of 41 passes for 266 yards and 2 touchdowns while throwing 1 interception.
In the 1st quarter, McNair had an 8-yard touchdown run with 11:01 remaining. With just 0:17 remaining, Eddie George punched in a 1-yard touchdown run. With 9:29 remaining in the 2nd quarter, wide receiver Hines Ward had an 8-yard touchdown reception for the Steelers. Kicker Jeff Reed then inched Pittsburgh closer by nailing field goals from 30 and 39 yards out with 6:49 remaining and then as time expired.
To start the 3rd quarter, running back Amos Zereoue had a 31-yard touchdown run with 14:37 remaining. With 9:37 remaining, Tennessee responded with a 7-yard touchdown reception by Frank Wycheck. With 4:38 remaining, tight end Erron Kinney had a 2-yard touchdown reception. In the 4th quarter, Pittsburgh tied the game at 28-28 with a 21-yard touchdown reception by Ward, and then Ward threw a 2-yard pass to wide receiver Plaxico Burress for the 2-point conversion. Reed then kicked a 40-yard field goal with 8:30 remaining to give Pittsburgh a 31-28 lead.
However, Tennessee rebounded again as kicker Joe Nedney booted a 42-yard field goal with 5:40 remaining. It only took a few minutes in the overtime period to determine a winner, as Nedney got into position and kicked the game-winning 26-yard field goal with 12:45 remaining to move the Titans forward.
The emphatic rebound that saved the Titans’ season didn’t carry into the next round, as the Titans fell to the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game on January 19 at the Network Associates Coliseum by the score of 41-21. The Tennessee Titans would give it another go in 2003, making the playoffs again, but after that season they would have to wait a few seasons before becoming playoff contenders once more.
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