Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles on Sunday during Tennessee’s 15-10 win at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

NASHVILLE – It was an interception nine years in the making for the Tennessee Titans.

When safety Kevin Byard intercepted Blake Bortles for the second time in the final seconds of Tennessee’s 15-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Nissan Stadium, it not only secured Tennessee a second straight 9-7 season, it also gave the Titans a playoff berth that had eluded the franchise since 2008.

Nearly a decade of futility turned to jubilation for a franchise that won a combined five games in 2014 and 2015.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Tennessee outside linebacker Derrick Morgan said. “There’s been a lot of 2-14 seasons, 3-13, 6-10, so to finally have a meaningful game week 17 and to actually get (to the playoffs), it feels great.”

For Morgan, who was drafted by the Titans in 2010, it will be his first postseason appearance. He’s not the only longtime Titan who finally gets to experience the postseason with the Titans opening at Kansas City on Saturday.

Punter Brett Kern, claimed off waivers by the Titans in 2009, and Jurrell Casey, drafted by the Titans in 2011, all are also getting a chance to play in the postseason.

“To see the joy and the happiness for guys like Jurrell, D-Morg and Brett (Kern), I think that’s what makes it satisfying for all of us,” Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota said. “This isn’t the end. This is just another step in our chapter. We’re looking forward to the challenge. We can’t wait to get this thing going, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

Tight end Delanie Walker, in his fifth season with the Titans, also took time to reflect on Tennessee finally getting back to the playoffs.

“It means a lot to me,” Walker said. “It feels good to finally get that done for this organization, for this state. We are in it. We said win and we’re in and we got the job done.”

Byard, the Middle Tennessee product in his second year in the NFL, said he thought about all the veterans who finally got a chance to celebrate after Sunday’s win.

“It’s magical,” Byard said. “You look at guys that have been here their entire careers and haven’t been to the playoffs. I’m a young guy here, so I feel better knowing the older guys have been working so hard trying to get it. It’s a celebration tonight, but we will get right back to work tomorrow.”

Linebacker Wesley Woodyard, a 10-year veteran in his fourth year with the Titans, said Sunday’s victory and celebration is what it is all about – but it is also just the beginning.

“You see those guys come in and in the offseason work as hard as they do and train and some of our leaders on the team to finally be rewarded with the playoffs is huge for them,” Woodyard said. “Knowing them and knowing myself, that’s just a starting point. That’s not what we’re really excited about but we got a chance and we got ourselves a ticket (to the playoffs).”{&end}