Monday, October 19, 2009

Most remarkable turnaround in 2009 is one titanic meltdown

Forget the New Orleans Saints and their potent offense. Forget the Denver Broncos and their newfound defensive prowess under a 33-year-old head coach. Nothing has been more shocking in 2009 than the demise of the Tennessee Titans.

Once thought to be a Super Bowl contender after going an NFL-best 13-3 in 2008, Jeff Fisher's squad has plummeted to depths almost unheard of by NFL standards. The lasting memories of this miserable 0-6 beginning to the year will be the Titans laying down in the snow in a 59-0 demolishing at the hands of the New England Patriots. But just as troubling was their 20-point loss in Jacksonville two weeks ago, or being held out of the end zone last Sunday night by the Indianapolis Colts.

The Titans have been outscored by 114 points thus far, and even more shocking is the lack of effort they have showed the last few weeks. This from a team that took the Super Bowl champion Steelers to overtime in Week 1 and only lost its next two games by a combined 10 points.

Winnable games lie ahead, as the Titans will face the Jaguars, Bills, Texans, and Rams later on, but that will only allow them the opportunity to avoid being remembered as one of the all-time bad teams. Based on yesterday's no-show against New England, however, a date with any of those teams is no guarantee.

Stunning.