The Music City Miracle

Lore & Background

The kickoff-return play was named Home Run Throwback by the Titans and was developed by special teams coordinator Alan Lowry. He had learned the play in 1982 as a member of the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff, watching SMU execute a similar kickoff return to score the winning touchdown in the final seconds of its game at Texas Tech. The Titans had practiced the play once per week during the regular season. The practices usually involved starting kick returner Derrick Mason; however, he had suffered an injury earlier in the playoff game and was unavailable for the final seconds. The second option for the play, Anthony Dorsett, was suffering from cramps and was also unavailable for the play. As a result, the Titans designated Isaac Byrd as their main option to retrieve the lateral pass, with Kevin Dyson trailing behind him. As one of the team's leading wide receivers, Dyson rarely practiced with the special-teams unit and was unfamiliar with the layout of the play. Head coach Jeff Fisher briefed Dyson just before the play. After observing Frank Wycheck playing a throwing game during downtime at practice, Titans offensive coordinator Les Steckel had designed an option pass play with Wycheck in mind. The Titans ran that play against the Atlanta Falcons during the 1999 regular season, and Wycheck threw a 61-yard touchdown pass. After the success of this play, Lowry assigned Wycheck to throw the lateral on Home Run Throwback.

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed over Nissan Stadium as the clock ticked down to zero. Marcus Mariota's pass was never completed; instead, a chaotic tumble ensued on the turf. The ball skittered across the grass like a loose coin, rolling toward the sideline where Jabrill Peppers dove, snatching fate by the throat. He didn't run for glory but passed it back, a desperate lateral to Corey Coleman who, in turn, sent it spiraling to Baker Mayfield. With seconds vanishing into thin air, Mayfield slid on his knee, freezing time itself before Dustin Hopkins stepped onto the field to etch history with a single kick.

Reader's Guide

The Music City Miracle is a famous play from the 1999–2000 NFL playoffs. It occurred in the AFC Wild Card game between the Tennessee Titans and the Buffalo Bills. The play was a kickoff return lateral from Frank Wycheck to Kevin Dyson, resulting in a game-winning touchdown. The Titans won 22–16.

Did You Know?

• The play occurred on January 8, 2000.
• The Titans were playing in their first season under the name 'Titans', having previously been the Houston Oilers.
• The Titans had the best record of any team in NFL history to not win its division, finishing 13–3.
• The Bills had mounted a comeback in the second half, taking a 16–15 lead with 16 seconds remaining before the Music City Miracle.
• The play was called 'Home Run Throwback' and was designed by special teams coordinator Alan Lowry.