Randy Moss is in town and all of a sudden the Tennessee Titans have Super Bowl aspirations.
Moss will make his debut with his third team of the season when the Titans visit the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Averaging 31.5 points over its last four games, Tennessee (5-3) did not have a glaring need for more offense, though they lacked an obvious deep threat needed to open up the running game for Chris Johnson and give Vince Young a chance to improvise more in the passing game.
Enter Moss, who had worn out his welcome with both the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings already this season and was on waivers for the taking. The Titans were the only team to put in a claim on the mercurial future Hall of Famer, gaining his services without having to give up anything but money.
There is no receiver in the NFL who gives defenses as much trouble down the field as a properly motivated Moss, which hasn’t been the case this season.
The West Virginia native made only nine catches in three games with the Patriots - though three were for touchdowns - and had 12 receptions - two touchdowns - in four games with the Vikings before being shown the door by head coach Brad Childress.
Reportedly, Moss embarrassed Vikings teammates and management when he criticized a post-practice food spread from a local restaurant and then further alienated the organization when he used a postgame press conference after a loss at New England on Halloween to praise the Patriots organization.
But Titans coach Jeff Fisher felt the risk was worth the possible reward concerning Moss and has seen the buzz surrounding the team increase to a fever pitch through the bye week.
Moss has had plenty of success in 10 career games against the Dolphins with 45 catches and 10 touchdowns. He scored nine touchdowns in six games in his first three seasons with New England.
Miami (4-4) made an acquisition of its own this week, signing veteran cornerback Al Harris to a one-year deal. Harris, who was cut by the Packers recently after beginning the season on the physically unable to perform list, says he is in shape now and could be called upon to try to stop Moss.
The Dolphins will take any help they can get as they try to keep pace with the Patriots and New York Jets in the East.
Miami is 0-3 at home this season and is coming off a 26-10 loss at Baltimore last week in which Chad Henne threw three interceptions and the Dolphins were held scoreless in the second half while the defense allowed 402 total yards.
That led to the benching of Henne in place of veteran Chad Pennington, who last started in Week 3 of 2009 when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
More controversy came out of last week’s loss when Miami linebacker Channing Crowder accused Baltimore running back Le’Ron McCLain of spitting in his face. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano planned to submit video of the incident to the league.
The Titans got the better of Miami last Dec. 20, earning a 27-24 victory in overtime behind three touchdown passes from Young.