Who saw it coming?

This time last year the talk around the NFL was all about those revamped New England Patriots: Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker and company.

But after finishing the regular season 16-0, and going into the Super Bowl XLII 12-point favorites over the New York Giants: the perfect team’s perfect season came to an end. New York’s defense made one last stand and managed a 17-14 upset victory.

As the season began, the embers of hope burned anew. With a few off-season trades and the draft, the Patriots were back. With the leagues reigning Most Valuable Player Tom Brady guiding hand and steady leadership, the Patriots again was the team to beat. The first quarter of the season opener, a game with the Kansas City Chiefs everything changed when Brady went down with a season ending knee injury.

 The door was open for a team on a quest for a championship, and the Tennessee Titans came marching in. Week after week Tennessee found new ways to win. Benching third year quarterback Vince Young, building plays around the talents of QB Kerry Collins, managing the clock, picking up first downs, and keeping the defense well rested.

Headed into week 11 the Titans are 10-0 and fans everywhere have become believers, especially in the Memphis area.

“Jeff Fisher has been building this team for years,” said Karen Camper, State Representative 87th District, who has been a Titans follower for more than 10 years. “Now he has all the pieces to the puzzle and it is showing.”

With speedster Chris Johnson selected in the draft to compliment Lendale White in the backfield, and Javon Kearse to help anchor the front four on the defensive line, the Titans are formidable. They are a real force wearing down opposing defenses with smash mouth run game, and dominating the oppositions’ offense with one of the league stingiest defenses.

“I love this team,” said Tennessee House Representative of District 91, Lois Deberry, who has been a fan since a child. “I’m a die hard Titans fan. Church gets out at 12 noon, then I’m in front of the television. Many of the fans were mad after the 1999 Super Bowl lost to the St. Louis Rams, especially after we started to go down hill, but now we are the only undefeated team in the NFL.”

With a half dozen games remaining in the regular season,  Tennessee still has difficult terrain to cover  with the visiting New York Jets making the trip to Nashville this week. Brett Favre and the Jets are fresh off their 34-31 victory over the Patriots. Then at Detroit, Cleveland, at Houston, the Steelers, and ending with the division rival Colts Dec.28.

“It would be good to see the Titans go all the way,” said Memphis native and Taco Bell General Manager, Anthony Dedrick, and long time Washington Redskin fan. “There’s a good positive buzz in the city and you can’t help but to hope the Titans continue to do well.”

Memphians aren’t the only supporters though. “I’m a fan of the Titans,” Mercury Morris said on ESPN First Take on Monday. “If the Titans show up in the Super Bowl with a perfect record, they would be exactly like we were.”