2006 Tennessee Titans season
2006 Tennessee Titans season | |
---|---|
Owner | LP Field |
Results | |
Record | 8–8 |
Division place | 2nd AFC South |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | QB Vince Young |
AP All-Pros | none |
The 2006 Tennessee Titans season was the franchise's 47th season overall, 37th with the National Football League (NFL), and tenth in Tennessee. The season began with the Titans trying to improve on the 4–12 record from their 2005 season. The team improved to 8–8, but missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
The Titans signed Pittsburgh Steelers safety Chris Hope, Indianapolis Colts linebacker David Thornton, New England Patriots wide receiver David Givens, New York Jets center Kevin Mawae, Oakland Raiders quarterback Kerry Collins, and brought back defensive lineman Robaire Smith after he was released by the Houston Texans.
The Titans, with the third 2006 overall pick, chose Vince Young, star quarterback out of the University of Texas, and with their second round pick, picked USC running back LenDale White. Then, they used the rest of their picks on Penn St. Safety Calvin Lowry, North Carolina St. LB Stephen Tulloch, Miami University (OH) LB Terna Nande, Tennessee DT Jesse Mahelona, Wisconsin WR Jonathan Orr, Samford DB Cortland Finnegan, Utah LB Spencer Toone, and Utah RB Quinton Ganther.
However, the Titans were winless for five consecutive games before winning their first game against the Redskins in week 6.[1]
This was also the final season where Floyd Reese was general manager for the Titans as he resigned following the season.
Roster
Schedule
Preseason
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | August 12 | New Orleans Saints | L 16–19 | 0–1 |
2 | August 19 | at Denver Broncos | L 10–35 | 0–2 |
3 | August 26 | Atlanta Falcons | L 6–20 | 0–3 |
4 | September 1 | at Green Bay Packers | W 35–21 | 1–3 |
Regular season
Apart from their regular games with AFC South division rivals, the Titans played against the AFC East and NFC East according to the NFL's schedule rotation, and also played against the Ravens and the Chargers, who in 2005 had like the Titans each finished third in their division.
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 10 | New York Jets | L 16–23 | 0–1 | 69,143 |
2 | September 17 | at San Diego Chargers | L 7–40 | 0–2 | 64,344 |
3 | September 24 | at Miami Dolphins | L 10–13 | 0–3 | 72,733 |
4 | October 1 | Dallas Cowboys | L 14–45 | 0–4 | 69,143 |
5 | October 8 | at Indianapolis Colts | L 13–14 | 0–5 | 57,021 |
6 | October 15 | at Washington Redskins | W 25–22 | 1–5 | 88,550 |
7 | Bye | ||||
8 | October 29 | Houston Texans | W 28–22 | 2–5 | 69,143 |
9 | November 5 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | L 7–37 | 2–6 | 66,524 |
10 | November 12 | Baltimore Ravens | L 26–27 | 2–7 | 69,143 |
11 | November 19 | at Philadelphia Eagles | W 31–13 | 3–7 | 69,232 |
12 | November 26 | New York Giants | W 24–21 | 4–7 | 69,143 |
13 | December 3 | Indianapolis Colts | W 20–17 | 5–7 | 69,143 |
14 | December 10 | at Houston Texans | W 26–20 (OT) | 6–7 | 70,760 |
15 | December 17 | Jacksonville Jaguars | W 24–17 | 7–7 | 69,143 |
16 | December 24 | at Buffalo Bills | W 30–29 | 8–7 | 54,765 |
17 | December 31 | New England Patriots | L 23–40 | 8–8 | 69,143 |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
AFC South | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
(3) Indianapolis Colts | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 3–3 | 9–3 | 427 | 360 | W1 |
Tennessee Titans | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 4–2 | 5–7 | 324 | 400 | L1 |
Jacksonville Jaguars | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 5–7 | 371 | 274 | L3 |
Houston Texans | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 3–3 | 6–6 | 267 | 366 | W2 |
Regular season
Week 1: vs. New York Jets
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jets | 0 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 23 |
Titans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 16 |
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The Titans opened the regular season at home against the New York Jets on September 10. After a scoreless first quarter, the Titans started to seriously trail as opposing RB Kevan Barlow scored on a one-yard TD run (extra point attempt was good) and an 8-yard TD pass to opposing WR Jerricho Cotchery (extra point attempt failed). In the third quarter, things didn't get any better, as opposing kicker Mike Nugent kicked an 18-yard field goal to make Tennessee trail 16–0. In the fourth quarter, the Titans made a valiant attempt to come back, as RB Travis Henry got a 3-yard and a 1-yard TD run, which were both followed by successful two-point conversions. However, the Jets were just too much as opposing TE Chris Baker caught a 12-yard TD to put the game away. With the loss, the Titans began their season 0–1.
Week 2: at San Diego Chargers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
Chargers | 3 | 17 | 6 | 14 | 40 |
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In Week 2, the Titans played their first road game of the year against the San Diego Chargers. From the get-go, the Titans trailed as opposing kicker Nate Kaeding kicked a 28-yard field goal in the first quarter. Things only got worse in the second quarter, as San Diego unleashed their ultimate weapon, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, as he got a 4-yard and an 8-yard TD run and Kaeding got a 31-yard field goal to give Tennessee a 20–0 halftime deficit. Things weren't any better in the third quarter, as Kaeding got a 35 and a 44-yard field goal for San Diego. In the fourth quarter, the game was put well out of reach as opposing QB Philip Rivers completed a 12-yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson. By this time, QB Kerry Collins was taken out and rookie QB Vince Young came in to complete an 18-yard pass to WR Drew Bennett. However, the Chargers delivered one more blow as opposing QB Charlie Whitehurst ran 14 yards for the game's final TD. With the loss, the Titans fell to 0–2.
Week 3: at Miami Dolphins
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titans | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
Dolphins | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 13 |
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Staying on the road, the Titans traveled to
Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cowboys | 7 | 7 | 14 | 17 | 45 |
Titans | 3 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 14 |
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Back at home, the Dallas Cowboys traveled to Nashville to face off against the Titans. The Titans started their rookie quarterback Vince Young after veteran Kerry Collins produced dismal results after the first 3 games of the season. The Titans were able to score with a field goal on their opening drive making it the first time this season that they were able to score in the first quarter. The Titans were held to two field goals in the first half while the Cowboys had a lead at halftime with two 13-yard TD passes from Drew Bledsoe to WR Terry Glenn to put them up 14–6.
The Cowboys continued to drive up the score during the 3rd quarter with a 5-yard touchdown run by RB Julius Jones. During this play Titans' DT Albert Haynesworth stepped on the face of Cowboys center Andre Gurode. Haynesworth was flagged for Unsportsmanlike Conduct and ejected from the game. He protested his ejection by taking off his helmet and throwing it on the ground. He was then flagged again with another Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty. Gurode left the field with an ice pack to his face and required stitched above his left eye. He did not return to the field. Head Coach Jeff Fisher as well as Haynesworth later apologized for his actions. Vince Young connected for his second touchdown of the year to TE Ben Troupe. During the 4th quarter, the Cowboys scored on a field goal by
Week 5: at Indianapolis Colts
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titans | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
Colts | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
at the
Hoping to get their first win of the year, the Titans traveled to the RCA Dome for Week 5, as they played an AFC South match-up with the Indianapolis Colts. The Titans got off to a surprising start, as QB Vince Young ran 19 yards for a touchdown. Tennessee followed it up in the second quarter, as kicker Rob Bironas kicked a 22-yard field goal to give the Titans a 10–0 halftime lead. In the third quarter, Tennessee got an unpleasant wake-up call, as Colts QB Peyton Manning completed a 13-yard TD pass to WR Marvin Harrison. The Titans got another field goal, as Bironas kicked a 47-yarder. Tennessee remained winless on the year, as Manning completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Wayne in the fourth quarter. With their loss, the Titans continued to stay at the bottom of the AFC South at 0–5.
Week 6: at Washington Redskins
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titans | 3 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 25 |
Redskins | 7 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 22 |
at
The Titans won their first game of the year, and
The Titans got on the board first as K
Week 8: vs. Houston Texans
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texans | 0 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 22 |
Titans | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
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Coming off their Bye Week, the Titans went home for an AFC South battle with
Week 9: at Jacksonville Jaguars
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
Jaguars | 14 | 6 | 17 | 0 | 37 |
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Hoping to build on their recent victory over the Texans, the Titans flew to Alltel Stadium for an AFC South fight with the Jacksonville Jaguars. From the get-go, the Titans fell behind, as Jags QB David Garrard completed an 11-yard TD pass to WR Ernest Wilford and a 14-yard TD pass to TE George Wrighster in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee kicked a 47-yard and a 21-yard field goal in the second quarter, giving Jacksonville a 20–0 lead over Tennessee at halftime. In the third quarter, the Titans woes continued as Garrard hooked up with Wilford again on a 22-yard TD strike. Then, DB Scott Starks returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown. Finally, Scobee kicked a 39-yard field goal, putting the game out of reach. In the fourth quarter, Tennessee got their only score of the game, as QB Vince Young completed a 32-yard TD pass to WR Drew Bennett. With the loss, the Titans fell to 2–6.
Week 10: vs. Baltimore Ravens
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ravens | 7 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 27 |
Titans | 12 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
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Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Jaguars, the Titans went home for a Week 10 fight, as QB
Week 11: at Philadelphia Eagles
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titans | 7 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 31 |
Eagles | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
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Hoping to end their two-game skid, the Titans flew to
Week 12: vs New York Giants
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Giants | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Titans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 24 |
at
Trying to build on their road win over the Eagles, the Titans went home for a Week 12 fight with
Week 13: vs Indianapolis Colts
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
Titans | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
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After scratching off one Manning in one thriller, the Titans stayed at home for an AFC South rematch with their archrival Indianapolis Colts. In the first quarter, the Colts struck first with QB Peyton Manning completing a 68-yard TD pass to WR Marvin Harrison for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, Indianapolis increased its lead with RB Dominic Rhodes getting a 2-yard TD run. The Titans started to creep back into the game, with kicker Rob Bironas getting a 25-yard field goal, while QB Vince Young completed a 20-yard TD pass to WR Drew Bennett. After a scoreless third quarter, Tennessee took the lead with Young completing a 9-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Jones. The Colts tied the game with kicker Adam Vinatieri completing a 20-yard field goal. The Titans got the win on Bironas' 60-yard field goal, sealing the victory after lasting out the clock. The win boosted the Titans to an improbable possible playoff berth and ended Indianapolis' winning streak against the Titans at 7 games spanning 4 years. With wins over both Manning brothers, Tennessee improved to 5–7.
Week 14: at Houston Texans
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titans | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 26 |
Texans | 0 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 20 |
at
In Week 14, the Titans traveled to
Week 15: vs Jacksonville Jaguars
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jaguars | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
Titans | 7 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 24 |
at
Titans got their fifth straight win as they play at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In the first quarter,
In the second quarter, Jaguars kicker
In the third quarter, the Titans managed to score 17 points and keep the Jaguars scoreless for that quarter. Kicker Rob Bironas made a field goal from 27 yards out. Later, Cortland Finnegan returned a loose ball 92 yards for a touchdown. Later, Chris Hope intercepted the ball and returned it 61 yards for another touchdown. At the end of the third quarter, the Titans were up by 14 points.
In the fourth quarter, WR Matt Jones caught a 3-yard pass from Jaguars quarterback David Garrard. The final score was 24–17, Titans. With the win, the Titans improved to 7–7.
Week 16: at Buffalo Bills
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titans | 7 | 13 | 0 | 10 | 30 |
Bills | 10 | 9 | 10 | 0 | 29 |
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The Titans (7–7) faced
Week 17: vs. New England Patriots
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patriots | 9 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 40 |
Titans | 3 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 23 |
at
Needing one more win to get into the playoffs, the Titans (8–7) wrapped up the regular season at home against