The Music City Miracle And The 1999 Tennessee Titans - A Team Three Years In The Making Who Fell One Yard Shy.
The Tennessee Titans didn’t lose a single game all season in 1999 at their new home Aldelphia Coliseum, and if ever a team appreciated a home field, it was the Tennessee Titans, who after packing their bags and leaving town following the 1996 campaign as the Houston Oilers, spent 1997 and 1998 “roaming” the NFL.
Jeff Fisher had been put in charge of the (then) Houston Oilers late in the 1994 campaign as Jack Pardee essentially lost the team before the season’s end. Fisher, who was a young and rising defensive co-ordinator had played with the Bears from 1981-1985 and then served under defensive guru, Buddy Ryan. Although Fisher’s personality was different Ryan, his philosophy and connection to his players wasn’t.
Jeff Fisher had been put in charge of the (then) Houston Oilers late in the 1994 campaign as Jack Pardee essentially lost the team before the season’s end. Fisher, who was a young and rising defensive co-ordinator had played with the Bears from 1981-1985 and then served under defensive guru, Buddy Ryan. Although Fisher’s personality was different Ryan, his philosophy and connection to his players wasn’t.
Fisher moulded a team that had a tough no –nonsense approach, but every now and then he would pull a play out of the hat that left you stunned. The 1999 AFC wild card game featured one of those plays and moments. A moment that will be talked about and debated for years to come.
At quarterback they had Steve McNair, who proved himself to be one of the toughest quarterbacks to ever play the game. McNair had a great arm but could also beat you with his legs – and he was deceptively large to tackle. Eddie George was a true definition of the term “work horse” from the running back position. To the eye George appeared as if chiselled from stone – the feeling for would be tacklers must have been much the same. While they had very good receivers in Yancey Thigpen and Derrick Mason, it was tight end Frank Wychek who was McNair’s “go to” guy.
Check out the videos below - the first is a short look at the history of the Astrodome, the stadium the Oilers left behind, and the second is footage from 2011 which shows the shell it became.
At quarterback they had Steve McNair, who proved himself to be one of the toughest quarterbacks to ever play the game. McNair had a great arm but could also beat you with his legs – and he was deceptively large to tackle. Eddie George was a true definition of the term “work horse” from the running back position. To the eye George appeared as if chiselled from stone – the feeling for would be tacklers must have been much the same. While they had very good receivers in Yancey Thigpen and Derrick Mason, it was tight end Frank Wychek who was McNair’s “go to” guy.
Check out the videos below - the first is a short look at the history of the Astrodome, the stadium the Oilers left behind, and the second is footage from 2011 which shows the shell it became.
A Team Three Years On The Road
In 1997 they played their “home” games in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, while in 1998 they played in Vanderbuilt Stadium in Nashville – each year as the Tennessee Oilers.
One thing that was the same over the 1997 and 1998 season was the Oilers’ 8-8 record. In fact they had finished 8-8 for the last three seasons – a record good enough to keep you around another year, but bad enough to have people asking when the team was going to deliver. The fact that the team had basically been nomads the past couple of seasons arguably both made the job harder for Fisher and bought him that crucial fifth season.
As the last NFL season of the millennium began, the Oilers began life in Adelphia Coliseum and changed their last name officially to the Tennessee Titans.
George rushed for over 1,000 yards for the fourth straight season in 1999 and was selected to the Pro Bowl. McNair, although hurt for five of the Titans 16 games, threw for 2,179 yards and twelve touchdowns. When McNair was hurt, ex-Pittsburgh Steelers and one time New York Jets signal caller, Neil O Donnell was more than capable of running the Titans offense. Jevon Kearse notched 14.5 quarterback sacks as well as over fifty tackles in his rookie season, was widely regarded as the Defensive rookie of the year and was voted to the Pro Bowl. He was nicknamed “The Freak” in part due to his “freakish” wingspan and lightning speed that didn’t allow for many ball carriers or quarterbacks getting around him. Like their coach, they were mentally strong, solid and tough.
The video below looks at what is like covering the Oilers when they first moved to Nashville through the eyes of Larry McCormack and George Walker.
One thing that was the same over the 1997 and 1998 season was the Oilers’ 8-8 record. In fact they had finished 8-8 for the last three seasons – a record good enough to keep you around another year, but bad enough to have people asking when the team was going to deliver. The fact that the team had basically been nomads the past couple of seasons arguably both made the job harder for Fisher and bought him that crucial fifth season.
As the last NFL season of the millennium began, the Oilers began life in Adelphia Coliseum and changed their last name officially to the Tennessee Titans.
George rushed for over 1,000 yards for the fourth straight season in 1999 and was selected to the Pro Bowl. McNair, although hurt for five of the Titans 16 games, threw for 2,179 yards and twelve touchdowns. When McNair was hurt, ex-Pittsburgh Steelers and one time New York Jets signal caller, Neil O Donnell was more than capable of running the Titans offense. Jevon Kearse notched 14.5 quarterback sacks as well as over fifty tackles in his rookie season, was widely regarded as the Defensive rookie of the year and was voted to the Pro Bowl. He was nicknamed “The Freak” in part due to his “freakish” wingspan and lightning speed that didn’t allow for many ball carriers or quarterbacks getting around him. Like their coach, they were mentally strong, solid and tough.
The video below looks at what is like covering the Oilers when they first moved to Nashville through the eyes of Larry McCormack and George Walker.
They welcomed the Cincinnati Bengals to their new home in the season’s opening game. In a wild shootout that saw the Bengals fight back from 26-7 down, the Titans held off the visitors, escaping with a 36-35 victory.
By the midway point of the year they stood at 6-2.
They would only lose once in the second half of the season and would score over thirty points in four of those games. In week eight, on Halloween no less, the Titans had even managed to hand their eventual Super Bowl opponents St. Louis Rams, 24-21, who were having their own fairy tale season.
The Titans ended the season with a 13-3 record but had to settle for a wild card berth due to the Jacksonville Jaguars record of 14-2. What was particularly frustrating for the Titans was that the two losses the Jaguars had suffered were both to the Titans, including a 41-14 hammering in the second to last game of the regular season.
So as the Jaguars licked the regular season wounds and enjoyed a week off, the Titans got ready to welcome the Buffalo Bills to the first ever playoff game at Adelphia Coliseum for the 1999 AFC Wild Card game.
By the midway point of the year they stood at 6-2.
They would only lose once in the second half of the season and would score over thirty points in four of those games. In week eight, on Halloween no less, the Titans had even managed to hand their eventual Super Bowl opponents St. Louis Rams, 24-21, who were having their own fairy tale season.
The Titans ended the season with a 13-3 record but had to settle for a wild card berth due to the Jacksonville Jaguars record of 14-2. What was particularly frustrating for the Titans was that the two losses the Jaguars had suffered were both to the Titans, including a 41-14 hammering in the second to last game of the regular season.
So as the Jaguars licked the regular season wounds and enjoyed a week off, the Titans got ready to welcome the Buffalo Bills to the first ever playoff game at Adelphia Coliseum for the 1999 AFC Wild Card game.
Playoffs In The Music City
It was a perfect day for football. No sun beat down on Adelphia coliseum, but no rain or wind took it’s place either. The field glowed a perfect green, and the ‘Music City’ was indeed rocking as Tennessee prepared for it’s first playoff game since moving from Houston.
Steve McNair brought the Tennessee offense onto the field first, giving them the chance to draw first blood. However, it was defense that first made it’s mark on the contest. On the second play of the game, Buffalo’s veteran defensive end Bruce Smith burst through the line almost untouched. He managed to slow up the agile McNair just enough before team-mate Phil Hanson came in to record the sack. An incomplete pass followed, and as the crowd’s initial enthusiasm dulled somewhat, Tennessee punted the ball away.
The visitors, however, had similar luck on their opening drive. On the Bills first offensive play of the game, Tennessee defensive lineman, Josh Evans exploded into the backfield and sacked quarterback Rob Johnson, injecting life and cheer immediately back into the crowd. The Bills punted the ball away following two more redundant plays, and the stalemate-like tone was set for the rest of the first quarter, which ended with the two teams locked in a scoreless tie.
The stalemate was broken almost as soon as the second period began.
Steve McNair brought the Tennessee offense onto the field first, giving them the chance to draw first blood. However, it was defense that first made it’s mark on the contest. On the second play of the game, Buffalo’s veteran defensive end Bruce Smith burst through the line almost untouched. He managed to slow up the agile McNair just enough before team-mate Phil Hanson came in to record the sack. An incomplete pass followed, and as the crowd’s initial enthusiasm dulled somewhat, Tennessee punted the ball away.
The visitors, however, had similar luck on their opening drive. On the Bills first offensive play of the game, Tennessee defensive lineman, Josh Evans exploded into the backfield and sacked quarterback Rob Johnson, injecting life and cheer immediately back into the crowd. The Bills punted the ball away following two more redundant plays, and the stalemate-like tone was set for the rest of the first quarter, which ended with the two teams locked in a scoreless tie.
The stalemate was broken almost as soon as the second period began.
Following a Tennessee punt, the Bills began from their own 3-yard line. Rob Johnson came back out to lead the offense, and even at this early stage in the game he already appeared battered and bruised. The Tennessee defense could smell their chance to break the deadlock. On second-and-6, rookie defensive end, Jevon Kearse, forced his way into the backfield. He pounded Johnson into the ground, who in turn lost control of the ball, his second fumble of the game. The pigskin rolled helplessly out of the end zone for a safety, and a 2-0 Tennessee lead.
The foundations of the new stadium shook.
The home side got the ball back on the kick-off following the sacrificed two points by the Bills, and began to immediately drive up the field on the league’s number-one defense. Buffalo penalties assisted them in their march towards the end zone, as the Titans looked to increase their sudden advantage.
Facing second-and-goal at the Buffalo 1-yard line, McNair suddenly appeared to see a weak spot in the Bills defense. He hurried the Titans to the line of scrimmage, and taking the snap, he ploughed over the goal-line for the game's first touchdown. Del Greco booted through the extra point, and the Titans had a 9-0 lead.
The contest then reverted back into a series of punts, with each defensive unit cancelling out the other’s offense.
However, with just over two minutes remaining in the first half, with Tennessee driving with the ball, running back Eddie George fumbled. Buffalo recovered just shy of midfield giving them the break they needed. Their offense could do nothing with the turnover, and with 1:46 left in the first half, the Titans got the ball back with an exceptional chance to add to their lead.
They steadily drove down the field, breaking into Buffalo territory as the clock ticked under thirty seconds. Two quarterback-draw plays later, Tennessee stopped the clock with four seconds remaining in the first-half.
Al Del Greco came onto the field, this time to attempt a 44-yard field goal. He missed the kick (his second miss of the game), but a penalty against the Bills moved the ball 5 yards closer, and gave him a chance for redemption. This time the attempt was good, and the half-time score was 12-0 in the Titans favour.
After the half-time break though, Buffalo seemed to have found new life.
The foundations of the new stadium shook.
The home side got the ball back on the kick-off following the sacrificed two points by the Bills, and began to immediately drive up the field on the league’s number-one defense. Buffalo penalties assisted them in their march towards the end zone, as the Titans looked to increase their sudden advantage.
Facing second-and-goal at the Buffalo 1-yard line, McNair suddenly appeared to see a weak spot in the Bills defense. He hurried the Titans to the line of scrimmage, and taking the snap, he ploughed over the goal-line for the game's first touchdown. Del Greco booted through the extra point, and the Titans had a 9-0 lead.
The contest then reverted back into a series of punts, with each defensive unit cancelling out the other’s offense.
However, with just over two minutes remaining in the first half, with Tennessee driving with the ball, running back Eddie George fumbled. Buffalo recovered just shy of midfield giving them the break they needed. Their offense could do nothing with the turnover, and with 1:46 left in the first half, the Titans got the ball back with an exceptional chance to add to their lead.
They steadily drove down the field, breaking into Buffalo territory as the clock ticked under thirty seconds. Two quarterback-draw plays later, Tennessee stopped the clock with four seconds remaining in the first-half.
Al Del Greco came onto the field, this time to attempt a 44-yard field goal. He missed the kick (his second miss of the game), but a penalty against the Bills moved the ball 5 yards closer, and gave him a chance for redemption. This time the attempt was good, and the half-time score was 12-0 in the Titans favour.
After the half-time break though, Buffalo seemed to have found new life.
RB Eddie George appeared as though he was "chiseled from stone!"
A Bruising Back And Forth
They got the ball first in the second half, and when Antowain Smith burned the Titans for 44-yards on the ground, they were deep in the Titans territory. With only ninety seconds gone in the third period, Buffalo had a first-and-goal at the Tennessee 6-yard line. They were doing something they had simply not done in the first half, they were running the football. On second-and-goal, Antowain Smith burst into the end zone and cut the Titans’ lead to five points, 12-7.
It wasn’t long before momentum swung even further in the visitors direction, when McNair unleashed a pass downfield, Buffalo's Kurt Schultz tipped the ball up into the air. Antonia Winfield picked off the deflected pass and returned it to the Bills’ 46-yard line. However the Titans defense rose to the occasion and shut down the Buffalo offense.
The Bills however, were driving as the fourth period began.
A 37-yard pass from Johnson to wide receiver Eric Moulds set the Bills up with a first down at the Tennessee 17-yard line. Again Buffalo were threatening to take the lead.
On third down, Johnson's pass sailed out of the end zone, and it looked as though the Bills would have to settle for a field goal. However, Tennessee were called for roughing the passer, and the drive was kept alive. On first-and-goal, running back Antowain Smith took the ball to 1-yard line. The visitors again called Smith's number on second-and-goal, but he was swallowed by the Tennessee defense.
The crowd roared.
Third-and-goal.
The Bills gave the ball to Smith once again. This time, behind a crushing block from full back Sam Gash, he went into the end zone virtually untouched for a Bills touchdown. An attempt for two points followed the score, but failed. Buffalo though had taken the lead 13-12.
It wasn’t long before momentum swung even further in the visitors direction, when McNair unleashed a pass downfield, Buffalo's Kurt Schultz tipped the ball up into the air. Antonia Winfield picked off the deflected pass and returned it to the Bills’ 46-yard line. However the Titans defense rose to the occasion and shut down the Buffalo offense.
The Bills however, were driving as the fourth period began.
A 37-yard pass from Johnson to wide receiver Eric Moulds set the Bills up with a first down at the Tennessee 17-yard line. Again Buffalo were threatening to take the lead.
On third down, Johnson's pass sailed out of the end zone, and it looked as though the Bills would have to settle for a field goal. However, Tennessee were called for roughing the passer, and the drive was kept alive. On first-and-goal, running back Antowain Smith took the ball to 1-yard line. The visitors again called Smith's number on second-and-goal, but he was swallowed by the Tennessee defense.
The crowd roared.
Third-and-goal.
The Bills gave the ball to Smith once again. This time, behind a crushing block from full back Sam Gash, he went into the end zone virtually untouched for a Bills touchdown. An attempt for two points followed the score, but failed. Buffalo though had taken the lead 13-12.
An exchange of punts ensued before Tennessee got the ball back at their own 44-yard line with only 6:15 showing on the clock. They began to plough Eddie George repeatedly into the line of scrimmage, as Tennessee arrived, if somewhat bruised from their advance, in field goal range.
The clock showed 2:47 and ticking as the Titans broke inside the Bills 20-yard line. Finally with 1:53 remaining in the game, Al Del Greco came out to attempt a 35-yard field goal. The kick was good, and with 1:48 left on the clock, Tennessee had retaken the lead, 15-13.
The Bills got a good return on the following kick-off, as they began what would surely be the final assault of the contest from their own 39-yard line. After picking up a first down on the drive's first play, Johnson again tried to find his new big-play threat, wide receiver Eric Moulds again deep downfield, but the pass fell incomplete.
With the clock ticking, and Johnson scrambling to avoid the intense Tennessee pass rush, he fired the pigskin to wide receiver Pierless Price, who struggled, yet succeeded in getting out of bounds and stopping the clock and giving Steve Christie a chance to give the lead back to the Bills with a 41-yard field goal.
The kick was good.
The scoreboard read Buffalo 16, Tennessee 15.
There was barely sixteen seconds remaining in the game and the crowd was quiet.
The NBC commentator said it best about the Titans when he stated, "They still have a prayer, but not much more!"
The clock showed 2:47 and ticking as the Titans broke inside the Bills 20-yard line. Finally with 1:53 remaining in the game, Al Del Greco came out to attempt a 35-yard field goal. The kick was good, and with 1:48 left on the clock, Tennessee had retaken the lead, 15-13.
The Bills got a good return on the following kick-off, as they began what would surely be the final assault of the contest from their own 39-yard line. After picking up a first down on the drive's first play, Johnson again tried to find his new big-play threat, wide receiver Eric Moulds again deep downfield, but the pass fell incomplete.
With the clock ticking, and Johnson scrambling to avoid the intense Tennessee pass rush, he fired the pigskin to wide receiver Pierless Price, who struggled, yet succeeded in getting out of bounds and stopping the clock and giving Steve Christie a chance to give the lead back to the Bills with a 41-yard field goal.
The kick was good.
The scoreboard read Buffalo 16, Tennessee 15.
There was barely sixteen seconds remaining in the game and the crowd was quiet.
The NBC commentator said it best about the Titans when he stated, "They still have a prayer, but not much more!"
The Music City Miracle
What happened next, was one of those rare moments in any sport that really does have to be seen to be believed, and one of those moments that Fisher seems to keep in his back pocket.
Christie kicked off as normal to the Titans following the field goal. As the ball came down, the Tennessee special-teams unit formed a wedge around the receiver would make the catch. Full back, Lorenzo Neal ended up with the prize, and he proceeded to give it to tight-end Frank Wycheck, who rolled out to his left (behind the wedge). However, instead of continuing, and trying to find a gap, he stopped dead and threw the ball across the field to receiver, Kevin Dyson.
Dyson took immediate advantage of the Bills coverage being mostly on the left side of the field (focusing on Wycheck), and ran untouched down the side-line into the end zone for an unbelievable touchdown.
The crowd went bezerk; commentators spilled such cliche words as "It is a miracle victory! It’s a miracle!”
No flags had landed on the field of play, and a touchdown had been ruled. As with any play that holds so much in the balance the officials decided to check the instant replay and make sure the pass from Wycheck to Dyson had not been a forward pass. The officials looked at the replay carefully. After what seemed an eternity, the call stood. Touchdown, Tennessee. Del Greco kicked the extra point the score was 22-16 to the Titans, with 3 seconds remaining.
The Bills could not believe it. They had had victory snatched away from them so cruelly.
Tennessee did have to kick-off once more to the Bills, but the return broke down, and Tennessee had won probably the most controversial playoff game since The Immaculate Reception. The following week they travelled to the Hoosierdome to do battle with the Indianapolic Colts and their young quarterback Peyton Manning. They handed the Colts a 19-16 defeat and went on to face the Jaguars for a third time in the 1999 season in the AFC Championship game at Alltell Stadium where they were victorious for a third time, this time, 33-14. Their next game would be Super Bowl XXXIV.
Despite the Rams piling up the yards against the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV, they “only” had a 9-0 advantage going into the locker room at half-time. The Rams had been seemingly scoring at will all season and now couldn’t find the end-zone. Another St. Louis score made it 16-0 midway through the third period before the Titans charged back, eventually tying the score late in the final period on some determined running by George.
Now tied at 16-16, the Rams came on to the field and found some of the magic that had powered them through the 1999 campaign. Kurt Warner fired a pass to Issac Bruce from his own 20-yard line. Bruce, who made the adjustment on the ball, snared the pass and rolled to the end-zone for an 80-yard score and a 23-16 lead.
The Titans got the ball with 1:48 on the clock and behind a heroic drive led by McNair, who at one stage dragged himself of Rams’ defenders, using his free hand as balance to avoid a sack and loss of yardage. They reached the Rams 10-yard line with six seconds left on the clock. They needed a touchdown to tie the game and send it into overtime for the first time ever in Super Bowl history.
McNair fired the pass. Kevin Dyson caught the ball. Mike Jones wrapped him up. His momentum though was going forward. He was going to break the goal-line! Jones pulled. Dyson fell. One yard short. The game was over, the Titans had lost the game – they were one yard short! From where they had come from though, the Titans 1999 season was one they could be proud of, as can each and every player who suited up for the infamous Music City Miracle game.
The two videos below are news features that look at the Music City Miracle, and whether or not it was a lateral or a forward pass.
[Marcus Lowth September 2016]
Christie kicked off as normal to the Titans following the field goal. As the ball came down, the Tennessee special-teams unit formed a wedge around the receiver would make the catch. Full back, Lorenzo Neal ended up with the prize, and he proceeded to give it to tight-end Frank Wycheck, who rolled out to his left (behind the wedge). However, instead of continuing, and trying to find a gap, he stopped dead and threw the ball across the field to receiver, Kevin Dyson.
Dyson took immediate advantage of the Bills coverage being mostly on the left side of the field (focusing on Wycheck), and ran untouched down the side-line into the end zone for an unbelievable touchdown.
The crowd went bezerk; commentators spilled such cliche words as "It is a miracle victory! It’s a miracle!”
No flags had landed on the field of play, and a touchdown had been ruled. As with any play that holds so much in the balance the officials decided to check the instant replay and make sure the pass from Wycheck to Dyson had not been a forward pass. The officials looked at the replay carefully. After what seemed an eternity, the call stood. Touchdown, Tennessee. Del Greco kicked the extra point the score was 22-16 to the Titans, with 3 seconds remaining.
The Bills could not believe it. They had had victory snatched away from them so cruelly.
Tennessee did have to kick-off once more to the Bills, but the return broke down, and Tennessee had won probably the most controversial playoff game since The Immaculate Reception. The following week they travelled to the Hoosierdome to do battle with the Indianapolic Colts and their young quarterback Peyton Manning. They handed the Colts a 19-16 defeat and went on to face the Jaguars for a third time in the 1999 season in the AFC Championship game at Alltell Stadium where they were victorious for a third time, this time, 33-14. Their next game would be Super Bowl XXXIV.
Despite the Rams piling up the yards against the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV, they “only” had a 9-0 advantage going into the locker room at half-time. The Rams had been seemingly scoring at will all season and now couldn’t find the end-zone. Another St. Louis score made it 16-0 midway through the third period before the Titans charged back, eventually tying the score late in the final period on some determined running by George.
Now tied at 16-16, the Rams came on to the field and found some of the magic that had powered them through the 1999 campaign. Kurt Warner fired a pass to Issac Bruce from his own 20-yard line. Bruce, who made the adjustment on the ball, snared the pass and rolled to the end-zone for an 80-yard score and a 23-16 lead.
The Titans got the ball with 1:48 on the clock and behind a heroic drive led by McNair, who at one stage dragged himself of Rams’ defenders, using his free hand as balance to avoid a sack and loss of yardage. They reached the Rams 10-yard line with six seconds left on the clock. They needed a touchdown to tie the game and send it into overtime for the first time ever in Super Bowl history.
McNair fired the pass. Kevin Dyson caught the ball. Mike Jones wrapped him up. His momentum though was going forward. He was going to break the goal-line! Jones pulled. Dyson fell. One yard short. The game was over, the Titans had lost the game – they were one yard short! From where they had come from though, the Titans 1999 season was one they could be proud of, as can each and every player who suited up for the infamous Music City Miracle game.
The two videos below are news features that look at the Music City Miracle, and whether or not it was a lateral or a forward pass.
[Marcus Lowth September 2016]
The Music City Miracle will be talked about and debated for years to come.
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From the UK point of view the contest literally went on all night
CLICK HERE
From the UK point of view the contest literally went on all night
CLICK HERE
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