NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Theories abound about why the Tennessee Titans suddenly have one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. To coach Jeff Fisher, only one really matters.
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| Jevon Kearse and the Titans have made life miserable for opponents at Adelphia Coliseum. |
"The new facility, the coliseum, the name change -- all those things are contributing factors. But as far as quantifying one or comparing one to another, the wins are the biggest," Fisher said.
For a team that spent the past few seasons playing in front of more empty seats than fans, the Titans (13-3) have done their part to attract a crowd. They went 8-0 during the regular season to christen Adelphia Coliseum. Only the Dallas Cowboys, who won their first nine at Texas Stadium in 1971, have done better in their first year in a new home.
That is why the Titans are happy to be playing host to the Buffalo Bills (11-5) on Saturday in an AFC wild-card game. The
Titans' last playoff game came in 1993 in Houston.
"We're fired up to be here," tight end Jackie Harris said.
Adelphia is a state-of-the-art facility with its 67,000 seats, each with a chair back and cup holder. But there's nothing special
that other new NFL stadiums don't also feature.
The field looks a bit off. The grass between the hash marks was resodded last month after being worn down from games by the Titans
and Tennessee State.
Lineman Bruce Matthews said Adelphia offers the former Oilers the one thing they lacked in their final two seasons in Houston and lame duck years in Memphis and Nashville's Vanderbilt Stadium -- a home.
"We didn't have what most teams enjoy every home game for a good 4½ years. When we finally did get it, we made the most of it, and the fans have sensed that as well," Matthews said.
"We're excited to come and play there, but we're comfortable there, too."
Combined with the new nickname and new logo, fans responded by filling the seats at Adelphia. They set a franchise attendance mark
with 528,890, an average of 66,111 a game, after ignoring Tennessee the past two years.
Those fans also have turned Adelphia into one of the NFL's loudest stadiums.
In their final five games, opponents were flagged for 18 false-start penalties, including eight by St. Louis. Oakland's Tim Brown, who visited Mile High Stadium, Lambeau Field, the Metrodome, the Kingdome and Ralph Wilson Stadium, called Adelphia the most
difficult for an opponent.
"I actually thought this would be the easiest one to play in because it is so open, but it was very, very loud. This had to be
the loudest place we've been in," he said.
Titans linebacker Barron Wortham said the crowd has become a
12th man for Tennessee.
"Everyone gets so excited, and the stadium gets so loud. ... It's great to be at home and have a playoff game at home. The crowd
should be extra pumped," he said.
When tickets went on sale for Saturday's game, fans camped out overnight. Within five hours, every seat was sold.
"It's going to be a party," said safety Blaine Bishop, one of eight players remaining from the last playoff team. "I'm excited.
I'm sure everyone on the team's excited. It's something we've been waiting for, at least I have, for a long time."