Why the Tennessee Titans Will Go to Super Bowl 43

When the 2008 and 2009 NFL season started this year, no one would've predicted that the last undefeated team would be the Tennessee Titans. And yet here they stand and still there are doubters. So how does Tennessee come this far?

Besides Mike Shanahan, the Titans coach Jeff Fisher is the longest tenured head coach in the league. This is for a reason. These teams are typically in the max, and are known for overachieving however this year has a slightly different feel. The defense has been lights out, and the stats back it up. You have probably heard that defenses win championships, and this year's Titans team is going to be no different. Currently, the Tennessee Titans are fourth in the league in overall defense. They are giving up roughly 275 yards per game on average. Seems like a lot, yes? Well the true proof is in the pudding, which in this case is red zone defense. The Titans are so good inside the red zone that opponents typically put up three points instead of seven. This is crucial in close games when your offense is typically managing the game instead of trying to win it for you.

When this team opened the season beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-10, people immediately took notice, for the Jaguars are the ones known for their defense. That said, this team had not officially arrived until wiping out the Indianapolis Colts 31 -- 21 on a Monday night football game. Anyone else remember the 2000 Baltimore Ravens team? The Tennessee Titans have that feel. They are relentless on both sides of the ball, and their run game with Lendale White pounds defenses late into the fourth quarter.

So how can a team that's 28th in the league in passing hoist the Lombardi trophy in 2009? Simple, running the football and defense. Running back Chris Johnson is likely to be the rookie of the year, if the title does not go to the Atlanta Falcons golden boy quarterback Matt Ryan.

Often what kills teams in the postseason is turnovers, however quarterback Kerry Collins has had a steady passer rating of over 75 per game and is not making bad decisions with the football. This is all they will need to be put over the top and make it to February football. Collins also averages 6.2 yards per pass attempt, which speaks volumes about how carefully the Titans plan against their opponents. They do not beat you with the long ball, but rather with patience and smash mouth football. Defense tackle Albert Haynesworth has been a force every time he steps onto the field. Behind Haynesworth, the Titans simply wait for you to make a mistake.

Because there are skeptics abound, think about the teams with great defenses that did not wow you and where they ended up. The 2006 Chicago Bears, aforementioned 2000 Ravens team made Super Bowl appearances in their respective years.

The Tennessee Titans will be playing in the Super Bowl XLIII, February 2009.