Music City Miracle

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Lore & Background

The Titans entered the 1999 season as the franchise's first year using the name Titans, following their history as the Oilers. Steve McNair started at quarterback but was diagnosed with a ruptured disc after Week 1, handing the reins to Neil O'Donnell until McNair returned later in the season. The offense relied heavily on Eddie George, who rushed for 1,304 yards and nine touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection. On defense, rookie Jevon Kearse dominated with 14.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. Despite finishing 13–3, the Titans secured only a Wild Card berth because the Jacksonville Jaguars won the AFC Central with a 14–2 record; notably, both of Jacksonville's losses came against Tennessee. This set the stage for a clash with the Buffalo Bills, who boasted the NFL's best defense in 1999, allowing just 252.8 yards and 14.3 points per game. The stakes were high, as fans believed the winner could contend for the Super Bowl.

In Their Own Story

The game began with Titans safety Jevon Kearse sacking Bills quarterback Rob Johnson in the end zone for a safety, followed by a 42-yard punt return by Derrick Mason and a 1-yard touchdown run by Steve McNair. Titans kicker Al Del Greco added two field goals, one after a defensive holding penalty on the Bills, giving Tennessee a 12–0 halftime lead. The Bills rallied in the second half with Antowain Smith scoring twice on runs of 4 and 1 yards, while Eric Moulds caught a crucial 37-yard pass. With 1:48 left, Del Greco kicked a 36-yard field goal to put the Titans ahead 15–13. Buffalo responded with a drive capped by Steve Christie's 41-yard field goal with 16 seconds remaining, making it 16–15. The Bills planned for a pooch kick to limit returns, but Titans special teams coordinator Alan Lowry had prepared the "Home Run Throwback." With regular returners Derrick Mason and Anthony Dorsett unavailable, Isaac Byrd fielded the kick, lateraled to Frank Wycheck, who threw across the field to Kevin Dyson. Dyson ran 75 yards untouched for the touchdown as time expired, securing a 22–16 victory.

Reader's Guide

The Music City Miracle was built on specific preparation and circumstance. Titans special teams coordinator Alan Lowry developed the play in 1982 while with the Dallas Cowboys, inspired by an SMU execution at Texas Tech. The team practiced it weekly during the regular season, typically featuring Derrick Mason as the returner. However, Mason was injured during this playoff game, and backup Anthony Dorsett had cramps, forcing Isaac Byrd into the role. Kevin Dyson, a leading wide receiver who rarely practiced with special teams, was briefed by head coach Jeff Fisher just before the play. Offensively, coordinator Les Steckel designed an option pass for Frank Wycheck after he threw a 61-yard touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons earlier that season; Lowry assigned Wycheck to throw the lateral on this play. On the other side, the Bills' defense was depleted by injuries, forcing veteran starters inexperienced in special teams to cover the kickoff. Their coordinator, Bruce DeHaven, called for a pooch kick to prevent a long return, but it backfired when Lorenzo Neal fielded it and handed it to Wycheck, who executed the cross-field pass perfectly.

Did You Know?

• The play was named "Home Run Throwback" by the Titans and was practiced once a week during the regular season.
• Frank Wycheck threw a 61-yard option pass touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons earlier in the 1999 season, which led to his assignment on the lateral play.
• The Bills' defense was banged up but not to the extent that they had to ask for volunteers; the coverage unit included several regular starters and experienced special teams players.
• Titans kicker Al Del Greco initially missed a 45-yard field goal attempt, but a defensive holding penalty allowed him to make the second attempt from 40 yards.
• The Bills' quarterback Rob Johnson lost his shoe during a scramble with under a minute left but still completed a pass to get out of bounds.