Shock Talk

So, the National Football League, as we know it today, has been built on flash.

The league is big on everything. Big on superstars. Big on fireworks. Big on cheerleaders. Sometimes, especially in the age of ever-popular fantasy football, winning almost seems secondary to the show.

That was the case this past Sunday in London – when the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers played in storied Wembley Stadium. Now, it’s understandable the NFL wants to expand its fan base. But watching this all-important contest between playoff hopefuls made me wonder, “At what expense?”

The two teams crossed the Atlantic Ocean to only compete in jet-lag fashion, in pouring rain on a slippery field, all so the NFL could market to a larger audience.

By Monday night, I was still bothered by the position in which the NFL put the Saints and Chargers. After all, I’ve been a Saints fan since the pro playing days of former Huskers Derek Brown and Tyrone Hughes. So needless to say, I flipped on the Monday Night Football clash between the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans with a critical eye.

Any lost faith in the NFL was immediately restored by the Titans’ humble aura. Sure, Tennessee ran out onto the field in between fireworks and cheerleaders. But that was the last sign of flash before a 31-21 victory that helped Tennessee improve to 7-0 this season.

Seriously, the Titans couldn’t be more boring, and for that, they need to be the new collective face of the NFL. They are no-nonsense in every sense, more so since superstar quarterback Vince Young went down with an injury in week 1.

You don’t see Titans dancing after every touchdown. You don’t see them disrespecting their opponents. And you don’t see them winning any fantasy football titles for owners.

They are about winning – plain and simple. Jeff Fisher is a tough, demanding, old-school coach who has the respect of the entire locker room and knows how to win. He has rebuilt the Tennessee franchise from scratch, nearly being fired before ripping off seven straight to start 2008 as the NFL’s lone remaining undefeated team.

Tennessee now holds a four-game leads in the AFC South, and the Titans are showing no signs of slowing because of their dedication to boredom. Fisher employs a fundamentally sound game plan built around high-percentage passing, power running and dominant defense.

There isn’t much exciting about watching 35-year-old quarterback Kerry Collins completing six-yard passes. There aren’t many thrills seeing bruising running back LenDale White pound repeatedly off left and right tackle. Yes, there may be the occasional moment of brilliance when rookie running back Chris Johnson breaks free.

But other than Johnson’s speed, the Titans don’t possess game-breaking ability. Honestly, though, Fisher’s bunch doesn’t need to. This is the blueprint aging quarterback Trent Dilfer and the Baltimore Ravens employed to storm to the 2000 Super Bowl championship.

Mistake-free football isn’t flashy. Mistake-free football isn’t going to end up on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays with high frequency. Mistake-free football isn’t what NFL marketing gurus dream of pitching to their potential clients.

In the end, however, mistake-free football – boring as it may be – results in more wins than losses. So while the NFL may not love the precedent the Titans are setting, their competitors better take notice.