ATLANTA – The Titans handled the New England Patriots back in November, turning in their most dominating performance of the year in a 34-10 win at Nissan Stadium.
Some observers thought it was perhaps the beginning of the end for the Patriots.
Quarterback Tom Brady looked his age that day, taking sacks and getting rid of the ball in a hurry. He looked slow and awkward as he was unable to haul in a pass on a trick play.
The Titans exposed New England's defense, as quarterback Marcus Mariota passed for 228 yards and two touchdowns, receiver Corey Davis caught seven passes for 125 yards and a touchdown, and running back Derrick Henry ran for two touchdowns as the Titans pulled away.
But a not-so-funny thing happened on the way to New England's demise.
The Patriots got back on track, and earned the AFC's No.2 seed. When the playoffs started, they rolled over the glitzy Los Angeles Chargers, and then upset the high-flying Kansas City Chiefs.
And now, here they are, back in another Super Bowl, ready to claim another championship. They'll have to beat the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in Super Bowl LIII to do it.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel isn't surprised the Patriots made it back.
The same goes for general manager Jon Robinson.
Vrabel and Robinson spent a lot of years with the Patriots, Vrabel as a linebacker who won three Super Bowl rings. Robinson worked his way up in the scouting department with the team, and built a reputation that helped him reach the position he's in today.
How do the Patriots do it?
"I think they treat each week separately, and they don't get caught up in the noise around them," Vrabel said. "They have a great coaching, leadership. They have phenomenal player leadership. And I think Bill (Belichick) does a phenomenal job of improving his football team as the season goes along.
"Bill understands it's a progress league and you have to continue to improve and they have done that better than anybody."
With a New England victory, the Patriots would capture their sixth Super Bowl championship, which would tie the Pittsburgh Steelers (six) for most in NFL history. A win would give the Patriots their 37th postseason win, which would surpass the Steelers for the most all-time.
Belichick would join George Halas and Curly Lambeau as the only coaches ever to win six NFL championships.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft has overseen one of the greatest dynasties in the history of sports.
"It starts at the top with Mr. Kraft, and the continuity that he is able to keep with coach Belichick," Robinson said. "Obviously Tom (Brady), he is a Hall of Fame player, and he does an outstanding job playing the quarterback position. And the coaching staff, they lose some guys occasionally, but the next guy steps up and the message remains the same, the goal remains the same, and the level of preparation remains the same.
"You can never count those guys out, and I think that is something all 31 other teams are trying to emulate, just get to that level where you can have that kind of consistency overall over a countless number of years."
Quarterback Tom Brady has won five Super Bowls, and he'll be making his ninth Super Bowl appearance on Sunday.
Brady is the all-time postseason leader in games played (39), wins (29), completions (954), pass yards (10,917) and touchdown touchdown passes (73). Has 16 playoff games with 300-plus pass yards, the most in NFL history. Brady has two the two highest single-game passing totals in Super Bowl history (505 yards in SB LII and 466 yards in SB LI).
Yes, he's still here.
"He's an unbelievable competitor," Vrabel said of Brady, his former teammate. "I always come to expect it, because I have been in the locker room with him, and he's a friend.
"His competitive level, his preparation, how hard he's worked, it's why he's had so much success."
The Tennessee Titans take on the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photos)
The helmets of the St. Louis Rams, left, and Tennessee Titans flank the Vince Lombardi Trophy, which will be awarded to the winner of Sunday's Super Bowl XXXIV, at a news conference in Atlanta Sunday, Jan. 28, 2000. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) leads the offense against the St. Louis Rams defense during an NFL game in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Rams defeated the Titans 23-16 in Super Bowl XXXIV on January 30, 2000 (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher listens to a reporter's question during the team's media session Thursday morning, Jan. 27, 2000 in Atlanta. Fisher and the Titans face the St. Louis Rams in Sunday's Super Bowl XXXIV. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Night falls over the Georgia Dome and the city of Atlanta on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000. The Georgia Dome is the site of Super Bowl XXXIV which will feature the St. Louis Rams against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
The last-minute preparations for Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory over the Tennessee Titans on January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
The last-minute preparations for Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory over the Tennessee Titans on January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans mascot and cheerleaders seen during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans by the score of 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) takes the field before Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory over on Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
The Tennessee Titans run onto the field during the player introductions before a 23 - 16 loss to the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV on January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Cheerleaders and teammates greet Tennessee Titan running back Eddie George during pre-game introductions at the Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on January 30, 2000. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Celebrated by fireworks and cheerleaders, the Tennessee Titans enter the field in a panoramic view at Super Bowl XXXIV January 30, 2000 in Atlanta. The St. Louis Rams defeated the Titans 23 - 16. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) enters the field amid cheerleaders and fireworks at Super Bowl XXXIV January 30, 2000 in Atlanta. The St. Louis Rams defeated theTitans 23 - 16. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Singer Faith Hill sings the National Anthem before the St. Louis Rams 23 - 16 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV on January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Singer Phil Collins performs at halftime of Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory over the Tennessee Titans on January 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tina Turner performs during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans by the score of 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Lights-out halftime entertainment includes a full orchestra at Super Bowl XXXIV January 30, 2000 in Atlanta. The St. Louis Rams defeated the Tennessee Titans 23 - 16. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Dancers perform in the pregame show before Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory over the Tennessee Titans on January 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Christina Aguilera, left, and Enrique Iglesias perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans by the score of 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
County music singer Travis Tritt performs in the pregame show before Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory over the Tennessee Titans on January 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
St. Louis Rams defenders Jay Williams (96) and Leonard Little (57) stop Tennessee Titans wide receiver Derrick Mason (85) during the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
St. Louis Rams middle linebacker London Fletcher (59) pulls down Tennessee Titans tight end Frank Wycheck in the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000. The Rams beat the Titans, 23-16.(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Derrick Mason (85) runs the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) carries the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) gets set to throw a pass during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher huddles with his defense during an NFL Super Bowl XXXIV game against the St. Louis Rams on Jan. 30, 2000. The Rams defeated the Titans 23-16. (Allen Kee via AP)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner (13) throws a pass over Tennessee Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse (90) during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titan safety Blaine Biship arrives at his designated target, St Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner a split second too late as Warner's pass is away. Action in first quarter of Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 2000. Al Messerschmidt/NFL Photos (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
The Tennessee Titans cheerleaders perform before Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23-16 Titans loss to the St. Louis Rams on January 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
The Tennessee Titans cheerleaders perform before Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23-16 Titans loss to the St. Louis Rams on January 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
The Tennessee Titans cheerleaders perform before Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23-16 Titans loss to the St. Louis Rams on January 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) huddles with head coach Jeff Fisher during an NFL Super Bowl XXXIV game against the St. Louis Rams on Jan. 30, 2000. The Rams defeated the Titans 23-16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) and running back Lorenzo Neal (41) are seen during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23â€"16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) runs the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
The Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams square off in Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 Rams victory on January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans fans show support for running back Eddie George during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 loss to the St. Louis Rams on Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) in action during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans by the score of 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) runs the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans linebackers Joe Bowden (58) and Barron Wortham (52) are seen in action during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans guard Bruce Matthews (74) lines up while quarterback Steve McNair (9) changes the play during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory on Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) looks downfield during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23 - 16 St. Louis Rams victory Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher seen on the sideline during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans by the score of 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair celebrates a touchdown against the St Louis Rams at Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 2000. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George (27) runs the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) avoids a tackle from St. Louis Rams line backer Mike Morton (58) during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tennessee Titan quarterback Steve McNair (9) runs from St Louis Ram linebacker London Fletcher at Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 2000. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair (9) runs the ball during Super Bowl XXXIV Jan. 30, 2000, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Rams defeated the Titans 23–16. (Allen Kee via AP)
Tenessee Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson (87) is tackled just short of the goal by St. Louis Rams' Mike Jones, left, on the last play of Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000. St. Louis defeated Tennessee 23-16. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson (87) of the reaches for the goal line in the final play of the fourth quarter while wrapped up by St. Louis Rams linebacker Mike Jones during Super Bowl XXXIV. The Rams defeated the Titans 23-16 in the Geaogia Dome in Atlanta on January 30, 2000. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson (87) tries but fails to get the ball into the end zone as he is tackled by St. Louis Rams' Mike Jones (52) on the final play of Super Bowl XXXIV on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000, in Atlanta. The Rams won 23-16. (Tony Tomsic via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair talks with the press after Super Bowl XXXIV January 30, 2000 in Atlanta. The St. Louis Rams defeated the Titans 23 - 16. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George talks with the media following the Titans 23 - 16 loss to the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV on January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair meets with the press after Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta. The St. Louis Rams defeated the Titans 23 - 16. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
