An article highlighting the top moments from the Tennessee Titans last decade is a tricky task. The first half of the 2010s were a dark age for Nashville’s NFL franchise.
From 2010-2015 there was only one season where they finished above .500 with a grand total of four different head coaches over that span. It’s safe to say there won’t be many moments from the early part of the decade on this list.
However, the backend of this decade has seen some exciting developments that offer hope for the team moving forward. Without further ado, here are the Top 10 Tennessee Titans Moments of the Decade (some of which include video).
#10
DeMarco Murray gets traded from Philadelphia to Nashville
Let’s take a look back at the Titans’ running backs in 2015. The leading rusher was Antonio Andrews who averaged an incredibly meager 3.6 yards per carry. The backs behind Andrews were Dexter McCluster and Bishop Sankey. If you added up all of their rushing yards from that season the sum wouldn’t break 1,000 yards gained. I’m not sure it could get worse than that core of rushers.
It’s safe to say the Titans needed a new face in their backfield. Insert a former rushing champion and All-Pro selection in DeMarco Murray. The trade to get him was unfairly weighted toward the Titans, as well. For the small price of swapping fourth-round draft picks with the Eagles the Titans got a bell-cow back whom they could rely on.
This trade led to a new contract for Murray who was a vital part of the Titans’ offense in 2016.
Inked.#WelcomeDeMarco pic.twitter.com/ClIUBX2TzR
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) March 9, 2016
#9
Kevin Byard signs a record-setting contract
The Mayor of Murfreesboro has become somewhat of a Hometown Hero to Titans fans after being drafted in the third round out of MTSU. in 2017 and 2018 Byard totaled 12 interceptions and solidified himself as one of the premier free safeties in the NFL.
On July 24, Kevin Byard became the NFL’s highest-paid safety in the league’s history. By all accounts, Byard was due for a substantial payday. Titans fans ought to be grateful the money is going to a person as deserving as Byard.
#8
Randy Moss gets claimed off the waiver wire
Although it was a very short and unsuccessful stint with the organization, Randy Moss coming to Nashville was a headline story in November of 2010. Historically the Titans haven’t been blessed with wide receiver talent consistently, aside from Derrick Mason.
Moss is a Hall of Fame NFL player. Anytime a player of that caliber joins your favorite franchise it makes for a memorable moment. The results from claiming Moss were disappointing, to say the least. Over eight games in the Two-Tone Blue, he caught just six passes. It may be alluded to in a joking manner today, but Randy Moss playing for the Titans won’t be forgotten any time soon.
#7
Eddie George and Steve McNair’s jersey numbers are retired
Two of the most iconic players to strap on the pads for the Titans received the highest honor a franchise can give. Number 9 and 27 won’t be worn again by a Titans player thanks to the accomplishments of Eddie George and Steve McNair.
The Titans started their 2019 season’s home opener the right way by immortalizing the legendary quarterback-running back duo together.
#6
Marcus Mariota viciously stiff arms Barry Church
This single moment is the most violent and aggressive play we saw from Marcus Mariota in Nashville. It went viral on Twitter and united Titans fans around their quarterback back on New Year’s Eve in 2017. The run also resulted in a first down to help the Titans seal their first playoff berth in nine seasons.
Although the Mariota era is coming to an end in Music City, he gave Titans fans plenty of comedic material to hold over the heads of Jacksonville Jaguars fans. Just relive the moment with the link below.
#5
Marcus Mariota catches his own pass
This was a once in a lifetime play. Marcus Mariota’s tenure in Nashville featured the highest peaks and low valleys (see Denver Broncos week six of 2019), this play was the highest high.
Marcus Mariota tosses a pass, it deflects off a Kansas City Chief then Mariota makes a miraculous instinctive play to score a crucial touchdown. This exemplifies the potential number eight had in the two-tone blue.
#4
Vince Young tosses his shoulder pads into the stands
Frustration. Disappointment. Unfulfilled potential.
Each of those describes the start of this decade with Vince Young at the helm. It wasn’t all his fault, but VY was the main cog in the Titans issues at the time. It eventually culminated in this iconic moment where Young hurled his pads into the unsuspecting crowd. Thus, continuing a tumultuous era for the Titans.
My how far the Titans have come. It’s astonishing that back in 2010 there was no public video of the event (that I could find).
#3
Ryan Tannehill turns the 2019 season around
On Sunday, Oct. 13, the Titans organization saw the final game of the Marcus Mariota era. It was a dismal 16-0 loss at Denver, arguably Mariota’s worst performance in a Titans uniform.
Insert offseason acquisition Ryan Tannehill, who miraculously turned one of the league’s worst offenses into the best offense the team had this decade. Tannehill was the key change when he took over a 2-4 team that went 7-3 in their final ten games, ultimately earning a playoff berth with Sunday’s win against the Texans.
Tannehill led the NFL in quarterback rating (116.5) for the season, finishing with 20 touchdowns, six interceptions and a completion percentage north of 70%. Many fans hope the organization has found its new franchise quarterback of the future (not just the present).
#2
The Titans beat the Chiefs in the playoffs
The only playoff win of the 2010s for the Titans came on Saturday, Jan. 6 at Kansas City. Derrick Henry totaled 156 rushing yards on just 23 attempts. Marcus Mariota came up big in the clutch moments.
The Titans trailed for the entire game, however, until just 6:06 was left on the clock when Mariota tossed a 22-yard touchdown to Eric Decker. The defense closed out Alex Smith and the Chiefs offense to overcome a 21-3 halftime deficit.
After a brutal decade to that point with no playoff appearances to speak of, Jon Robinson’s regime gets validation for their turnaround of the front office.
#1
Derrick Henry becomes a cheat code
On a cold Thursday night in 2018, this play took over the NFL and put Derrick Henry on the map as one of the best runners in the league.
From the one-yard line, Henry takes on the entire Jaguars defense and makes NFL history by tying the longest rush ever record: 99 yards.
Just admire the effort, speed and power of this run from No. 22.
