The Titans' defensive line is formidable, with Kevin Carter (93) rushing off one edge and Jevon Kearse off the other

The Tennessee Titans are 0-3 but have reason to still harbor Super Bowl hopes after their outstanding records of the past two seasons. Prior to the Titans' 26-6 run in 1999 and 2000, Tampa Bay and Tennessee last met in 1998, and the Titans became the first visiting team ever to win at Raymond James Stadium, taking a 31-22 decision.

Thus, despite an unusual rash of injuries, the Titans still have significant reasons for confidence this weekend. The following excerpts from the materials provided for the Titans' media give a closer look at those reasons.

No Place Like Home

Despite losing their season opener (9/9) to the Miami Dolphins, 31-23, the Tennessee Titans have the best home record in the National Football League since the start of the 1999 season. The Titans, who tied a NFL record with 12 consecutive wins to open a new stadium, are 15-1 during that time span as they enter Week 5 of the regular season.

The Titans are currently one game in front of the St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts, each of whom have gone 14-3 in their last 17 home games.

Here is a look at the top five teams with the best home record during the last three seasons.

Just Win Baby

The Tennessee Titans are tied with the St. Louis rams for having the best record in the National Football League since the start of the 1999 season, posting a 26-9 record in their last 35 games.

The Titans are one of three teams in the AFC who rank in the Top six on the list, with the Indianapolis Colts of the AFC East and the Titans AFC Central division rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars also on the prestigious list.

Despite losing their first three games of the 2001 regular season, the Tennessee Titans still hold the fifth best record in the National Football League since the start of the 1997 season, going 42-25 in their last 67 games.

The Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos rank first in the National Football League over the last four years (46-22) and are ahead of the Titans by three-and-a-half games entering Week 5 of the regular season.

Mr. October

In his only game against Tampa Bay, Titans running back Eddie George rushed for 134 yards on 27 carries and one touchdown to help the then-Tennessee Oilers to a 31-22 victory over the Buccaneers during the 1998 season.

The four-time Pro Bowler from Ohio State looks to record his 30th 100-yard rushing game of his career and first of the 2001 regular season when the Buccaneers travel to Nashville this week to face the Titans at Adelphia Coliseum.

Although the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State has not recorded one 100-yard game this season, fans should remember that George did not rush for 100-yards last season until the fourth game of the year when he rushed for 125 yards on 25 carries in the Titans 28-14 win over the NFC Champion New York Giants (10/1). George followed that performance by collecting 181 yards and one touchdown on a career-high 36 carries in the Titans 23-14 win at Cincinnati (10/8) and then proceeded to rush for 167 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries against Jacksonville on Monday Night Football (10/16).

For his career, George has a history of reaching the 100-yard barrier in the month of October. In fact, he has hit the century mark 12-times in 19 career games during the month of October.

Since winning the Heisman Trophy award as a senior at Ohio State University, George has played in 25 games and has reached the century mark in 16 of those contests.

George averaged 115.5 in his senior season as a collegian and is currently averaging 103.1 yards per game during his NFL career during the month of October.

Freak Show

DE Jevon Kearse looks to wreak more havoc against opposing offensive lineman and quarterbacks in his third second season with the Titans. The 1999 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year was chosen to his second consecutive Pro Bowl and became only the fourth player in league history to collect double-digit sacks in each of his first two seasons in the league.

Superman

(Kevin Carter,) the former All-American from the University of Florida was chosen with the sixth overall pick in the 1995 draft, three selections behind Titans current starting quarterback, Steve McNair.

The 1999 NFL Defensive Player of the Year joins fellow University of Florida defensive end Jevon Kearse to form one of the most prolific pass-rushing duos in the league. Carter and Kearse rank first in the NFL among defensive-tandem teammates as they enter Week 5 of the regular season.

A Titans Victory Would…