The 2013 season was the Tennessee Titans' 44th in the National Football League (NFL), their 54th overall, their 17th in the state of Tennessee, and their third and final season under head coach Mike Munchak. It was also their final season under the ownership of founder Bud Adams, who died on October 21. The Titans slightly improved on their 6âÂÂ10 record from 2012 but missed the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season.
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Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
The Titans traveled to Pittsburgh for their season opener against the rival Steelers. The first play of their season was a mental error by kick returner Darius Reynaud, who tried to kneel down for a touchback, but fielded the ball just outside the end zone, which resulted in a safety for Pittsburgh. Notwithstanding, Tennessee got off to a strong start, scoring a touchdown and 3 field goals for a 16-2 lead. In the fourth quarter, the Steelers cut the Titans' lead to 16-9 after they scored a touchdown. However, Tennessee ran out the clock, ensuring themselves a victory. With the convincing win, the Titans started the season at 1-0, but since the Colts beat the Raiders, 21-17, and the Texans later defeated the Chargers, 31-28, Tennessee tied for 1st place in the AFC South, since the Jacksonville Jaguars were humiliated, 28-2, at home by the Kansas City Chiefs.
For the first time since 1992 the Titans franchise defeated the Chargers, winning on a 34-yard touchdown throw from Jake Locker to Justin Hunter with 15 seconds to go. Locker finished with 367 all-purpose yards â 299 passing yards, 68 rushing yards. Chris Johnson finished with 90 rushing yards.
The Titans forced four Jets turnovers; Jake Locker threw three touchdowns off turnovers as the Titans led 24âÂÂ6 at the half. Locker was knocked out of the game in the third quarter following hits from Muhammad Wilkerson and Quinton Coples, suffering a right hip injury; a subsequent MRI showed no major damage to Locker's hip and he was sidelined for the next two games. Ryan Fitzpatrick finished the game, throwing a 77-yard score to Nate Washington. Geno Smith of the Jets was intercepted twice, but the most-popularized play came when he fumbled behind his back at the Titans goalline and Karl Klug fell on the touchdown. Tennessee won 38âÂÂ13.
The game was the first meeting between the Titans and their former coach, Jeff Fisher, and the first game for the club since the passing of its founder, Bud Adams. For the first time in 7 years, it was also quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's first return to St. Louis since he was traded from the Rams following the 2006 season. Fitzpatrick played his first 2 seasons in and was drafted 250th overall by St. Louis in 2005. The game lead tied or changed on every score as the Titans erupted to 198 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Chris Johnson scored twice amid 170 all-purpose yards (150 on the ground) while Jake Locker overcame two interceptions to throw for 185 yards and run in a six-yard score.
With the loss, coupled with the Miami Dolphins' win, the Titans were officially eliminated from playoff contention.