Playoffs Not Enough for Titans

Maybe it was the new uniforms or the new nickname.

Either way, the Tennessee Titans are in the NFL playoffs for the first time since 1993, when they were the Houston Oilers.

Steve McNair threw for one touchdown and ran for a second, and Al Del Greco kicked three field goals as the Titans beat the Atlanta Falcons, 30-17, clinching a playoff berth in their first season since changing nicknames.

The Titans (11-3) came back onto the field and celebrated by slapping high-fives with fans ringed around the edge of the stands. McNair, Eddie George and Frank Wycheck then met on the field and hugged for a minute.

“We’re happy we won. We’re in it. Now it’s time to take it to that next level,” George said.

The Titans still have a shot at their first AFC Central title since 1991. They remain two games behind Jacksonville with two games left, and play host to the Jaguars next week.

But Tennessee didn’t look like a team ready for the playoffs against the Falcons (3-11). The Titans forced a season-high six turnovers and wound up settling for only two field goals. They jumped offside repeatedly, and even McNair got into the act with a false start.

The Falcons seemed to relish the spoiler role until quarterback Danny Kanell, starting in place of injured Chris Chandler, suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Tony Graziani immediately was sacked by Titan end Jevon Kearse. It was Kearse’s second sack of the game, giving him 13 1/2, the NFL rookie record.

Leading, 20-17, McNair finally gave the Titans some breathing room by driving them 75 yards. He kept the possession alive by running 38 yards on fourth and one, and he ran for a three-yard touchdown on the next play for a 27-17 lead with 14:19 to go.