Fisher ranks Titans? greatest comeback among his favorites

Everyone who saw the Tennessee Titans? unlikely, stunning, insert your own adjective here comeback win over the New York Giants is trying to figure out where to rank the game historically.

Coach Jeff Fisher knows where he puts the game. And yes, he excludes playoff games like the Music City Miracle, the 2000 AFC championship game and Super Bowl and a wacky end to the 2003 divisional playoff victory over Pittsburgh.

?This is right up there at the top,? Fisher said Monday of the 24-21 victory. ?I think our inaugural game here at the coliseum against Cincinnati. We were down by nine, four minutes left, came back and won by a point. That prior to yesterday probably was one of the biggest ones.?

The rally Sunday from a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter was the greatest in franchise history, the biggest in the NFL since Indianapolis came back from 21 down in the fourth quarter at Tampa Bay and won 38-25 on Oct. 6, 2003.

Now Fisher has to try and corral his Titans, bring them back to earth a bit with the Indianapolis Colts (10-1) coming in Sunday. He thinks the opponent alone will be enough to do that.

?These guys, they deserve to feel the way they felt in that locker room. As a matter of fact, I kind of stood around and watched them a while before I addressed them. It?s been a while (since) they felt that way,? Fisher said.

?The win last week in Philadelphia was good. It was certainly nothing compared to this.?

He credited the defense with forcing the Giants three-and-out five times and holding them to 118 yards in the second half with no points.

The fans who stuck around made themselves heard as they stood on their feet through the rally, and Fisher said he hopes people will admit they didn?t leave early.

?It?s kind of reminiscent of the Music City Miracle, the Buffalo game. Sixty-six thousand were there, but 100,000 said they saw it in person,? Fisher said.

‘

HIT HIM, DON?T HIT HIM: The advice for the Tennessee Titans when they get their arms around a quarterback is to take him down legally. The New York Giants might need to remind themselves of their own standard.

Frank Walker picked up a penalty and gave the Titans a first down for hitting Vince Young high on the sideline.

?That kind of charged up the offense and charged up the defense,? Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck said.

Then Mathias Kiwanuka didn?t throw Young to the ground despite wrapping his arms around him on fourth-and-10, and Young ran for a first down.

?There are a lot of times when guys will get there and don?t know if the ball?s been thrown or not. They take them down,? Fisher said. ?It?s one of those things on a list of many that went our way.?

And for the Giants?

?They?re going to have to come to terms with that I guess ? quickly,? Fisher said.

‘

HAYNESWORTH UPDATE: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth started in his second game off the longest suspension in NFL history, and he was fifth in tackles. He also picked up one of the Titans? three penalties in the game for tripping.

Fisher isn?t quibbling over that.

?If it?s not called, it?s a tackle. It?s one of those deals he was held. He was held the whole play. He was going down and instinctively tried to trip the ball carrier. It?s a penalty. It was called, should be called. If not called, it gets credit as a tackle,? Fisher said.

‘

INJURY REPORT: For a change, the Titans had no big injuries in the game. Vince Young had the biggest problem, and luckily, the 23-year-old rookie is young enough to recover quickly.

?Vince was a little sore this morning when he came in, which is understandable. But he was in good shape. He did require an I.V. immediately after the game …,? Fisher said.

Young missed the post-game meeting in the locker room because he was in the training room. He still could hear the celebration.

Fisher said defensive end Travis LaBoy (concussion) has a chance to return this week. Defensive end Antwan Odom (right knee) may start work on the practice field but is not close to returning.

‘

(Compiled by Teresa M. Walker, Associated Press sports writer)