EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Christmas night, 2000.
Yeah, it was a long time ago.
And until Sunday, the Titans' 31-0 win over the Dallas Cowboys on December 25, 2000, had been the last time the franchise recorded a shutout on defense.
But that all changed here against the Giants in a 17-0 win.
"It's been a long time coming," Titans safety Kevin Byard said with a smile .
The Titans defenders found out about the possibility when they took the field on the last drive, and head coach Mike Vrabel hammered the point home in his postgame speech, when defensive coordinator Dean Pees was awarded a game ball.
As players boarded the team plane to head back to Nashville roughly two hours later, players were razzing Pees about it.
"I told the team, it's the first shutout since I was riding the bench in Pittsburgh," said Vrabel, referring back to his NFL playing days. "So that's a long time ago. Dean Pees does a great job. It's not easy being a defensive coordinator for me, but Dean does a heck of a job, and his players play hard for him.
"Dean is a very good football coach, and we are lucky to have him."
The Giants made it to the Tennessee four-yard line late, but couldn't get in.
"I was in kindergarten in 2000," Titans linebacker Jayon Brown said. "A donut is huge for the defense."
Defensively, the Titans held the Giants in check all game.
Giants running back Saquon Barkley managed just 31 yards on 14 carries. Quarterback Eli Manning was just 21-of-44 for 229 yards with a 54.1 rating, and he was sacked three times.
Titans cornerback Logan Ryan and Byard each recorded sacks of Manning in the first half, giving the team's defensive backs the record for sacks in a season.
Early in the second half, Byard also stepped up and made a big interception for the Titans, stopping a Giants drive deep in Tennessee territory.
The defense got an even bigger play later, when linebacker Kamalei Correa sacked Manning, forcing a fumble that was recovered by defensive lineman Jurrell Casey at the Giants 14.
The Titans turned it into a Derrick Henry touchdown.
It was a big day for the defense, which came just one week after the Giants scored 40 points in a win over the Redskins.
"It's a blessing," linebacker Derrick Morgan said. "As a defender, a shutout is something you always work for, and hope for. We were aware of it at the very end, and we did a good job of stepping up and getting it. We didn't want to let them in, and fortunately, we were able to keep them from getting in."
The Tennessee Titans take on the New York Giants in Week 15 of the 2018 season on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018 at MetLife Stadium. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota looks to pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning throws a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis, right, runs with the ball as New York Giants outside linebacker Alec Ogletree moves in for the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota looks to pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) looks on after missing a field goal against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) watches with holder Brett Kern, right, after missing a field goal against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) attempts a field goal with Brett Kern holding during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. Succop missed the kick. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Russell Shepard (81) catches a pass as Tennessee Titans strong safety Kendrick Lewis (28) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry (58) applies a hit on New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) after releasing a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, left, runs with the ball as New York Giants cornerback B.W. Webb prepares to make the hit during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) leaves behind New York Giants defensive end Dalvin Tomlinson (94) on his way to score a touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) reacts after scoring a touchdown run against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans strong safety Kendrick Lewis, center, reacts with teammates after making a tackle of New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, top right, is stuffed while trying to score on a quarterback sneak against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (24) reacts after a play against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans strong safety Kenny Vaccaro, center left without helmet, talks to teammates after making a play against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota looks to pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, left, runs with the ball as New York Giants cornerback B.W. Webb prepares to make the hit during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota looks to pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) looks to pass as offensive tackle Chad Wheeler, right, blocks Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, top, is sacked by Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) avoids a tackle from Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry (58) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants center Spencer Pulley, left, prepares for the snap against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, top, is sacked by Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard celebrates after a play against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram, center, applies a stiff arm on Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, top right, is sacked by New York Giants defensive back Michael Thomas (31) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants cornerback B.W. Webb (23) tackled Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs with the ball as New York Giants defenders, from left, B.W. Webb, Curtis Riley and Kareem Martin try to stop him during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) is tackled by a host of New York Giants defenders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, top, is sacked by Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Russell Shepard (81) catches a pass as Tennessee Titans strong safety Kendrick Lewis (28) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31), strong safety Kendrick Lewis (28) and cornerback Logan Ryan (26) celebrate after a play against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard, right, celebrates after intercepting a pass from New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, not pictured, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop, right, gestures after kicking a field goal against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) runs with the ball after intercepting a pass from New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, not pictured, as tight end Rhett Ellison (85) tries to tackle him during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, center back, fumbles the ball as Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Kamalei Correa (44) applies pressure during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) intercepts a pass from New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, not pictured, as cornerback Logan Ryan (26) looks on during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard in action against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) tosses the ball to an official after scoring a touchdown run against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, fumbles the ball as Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Kamalei Correa applies pressure during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Titans recovered the fumble on the play. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive end Josh Mauro (97) grabs at Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) while making a sack during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass as Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Jayon Brown (55) rushes in during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard, left, dives to tackle New York Giants tight end Evan Engram during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis, right, grabs the facemaske of New York Giants outside linebacker Alec Ogletree during a scuffle in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants outside linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) and Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) scuffle during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel looks on during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Jawill Davis, center, is tackled by Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Will Compton, left, and free safety Kevin Byard during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard, left, intercepts a pass from New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, not pictured, intended for wide receiver Russell Shepard, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard, left, celebrates after free safety Kevin Byard, center, intercepted a pass from New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, not pictured, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. Titans cornerback Logan Ryan (26) looks on during the celebration. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard celebrates after a play against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop, right, gestures after kicking a field goal against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (24) reacts after a play against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31), strong safety Kendrick Lewis (28) and cornerback Logan Ryan (26) celebrate after a play against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) looks on after missing a field goal against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, left, talks to Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Titans won 17-0. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) talks to New York Giants quarterback Alex Tanney (3) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Titans won 17-0. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants center Spencer Pulley, left, prepares for the snap against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard in action against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Titans won 17-0. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to reporters after an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Titans won 17-0. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) leaves behind New York Giants defensive end Dalvin Tomlinson (94) on his way to score a touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry steps down after speaking to reporters after an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Titans won 17-0. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, left, and Tennessee Titans defensive end DaQuan Jones pose for photographers after exchanging jerseys after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Titans won 17-0. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans defenders react after they forced the New York Giants to turn the ball over on downs in late in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Titans won 17-0. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota speaks to reporters after an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Titans won 17-0. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
A pass from New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, not pictured, hits Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard, right, in the back on an attempt to tight end Evan Engram during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Titans won 17-0. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, left, talks to Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Titans won 17-0. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Jawill Davis, center, is tackled by Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Will Compton, left, and free safety Kevin Byard during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota speaks to reporters after an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Titans won 17-0. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive end Josh Mauro (97) grabs at Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) while making a sack during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry speaks to reporters after an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Titans won 17-0. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
