Eddie George has topped the 100-yard mark in both the Titans' playoff wins.

One of only four NFL running backs ever to rush for at least 1,200 yards in each of his first four seasons, George feels he didn't get much attention playing on a team struggling to break even.

"I was doing my thing, but no one really cared," the Tennessee Titans star said of seasons that earned him the 1996 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and put him into the elite company of Barry Sanders, Earl Campbell and Eric Dickerson.

"At the time, Terrell Davis had a big year, and Barry Sanders had 2,000. My 1,300 every year didn't compare."

But with the Titans (15-3) enjoying their best season and preparing to play the Jacksonville Jaguars (15-2) Sunday in the AFC Championship Game, times have changed.

George is more popular than ever with fans after doing something not even Campbell did for the franchise formerly known as the Oilers -- top 100 yards in back-to-back playoff games.

George ran for 106 yards in the Titans' "Music City Miracle" wild-card win over the Buffalo Bills, and he provided most of the offense in their 19-16 divisional victory over the Indianapolis Colts by picking up a franchise-record 162 yards on 26 carries.

The previous high had been Campbell's 118 yards against New England in 1978.

Coach Jeff Fisher has turned to George even more in the playoffs, and he said the running back is handling the increased role.

"He believes he can carry this team. He showed that he's got every reason to believe that," Fisher said.

George was criticized before this season for tailing off after rushing for 1,368 yards in his rookie season. His average per carry dropped each year with a low of 3.7 yards in 1998.

He also heard about how he wore down in the second half of each season when his 100-yard games nearly disappeared. He didn't top 100 yards in any of the final seven games of 1998.

That changed this season. George averaged 4.1 yards a carry and rushed for 1,304 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns. He also had a career-best 47 receptions for 458 yards, second only to Indianapolis' Edgerrin James in combined yardage, for a third consecutive Pro Bowl berth.

But George said he never wore down and that people unfairly picked on him on a team struggling to finish 8-8 in 1997 and 1998.

"This year we've had more success. I've had more chances to carry the ball late in games," he said.

How many times George carries the ball is the key for the Titans. They are 15-0 when he has at least 27 carries.

With the Titans shooting for their first Super Bowl appearance, George doesn't want to talk numbers anymore.