The Tennessee Titans have made remarkable strides this year. Sitting at 7-6 with playoff destiny firmly in their own hands, this team has way outperformed any reasonable expectations a fan or analyst could have had at the beginning of the season.

How you ask? Is it new general manager Jon Robinson's masterful manipulation of the roster and the draft? Is it Marcus Mariota's ascension in greatness? Russ Grimm's work with the offensive line? Dick LeBeau's rolodex of blitzes?

The answer to all of these is yes, at least in part, but the real answer you seek is in love. That's right, all you need is love.

Take a quick second and watch this video here after the game on Sunday.

(Sorry I couldn't figure out how to just get that video on the article and had to link it. Amateur.)

The post game speech was one thing, but what stood out to me the most was the opening scene in the tunnel. Mularkey wasn't getting high fives, he was getting big manly bear hugs from the likes of Brian Orakpo, Ben Jones, and Talyor Lewan. These men don't just respect their coach. They love him.

Before the Denver game I made a comment that I felt like the biggest thing being overlooked about this Titans team is their resiliency. How close-knit they feel. Win or lose, they have been in every game at the end. That is huge. This is the first team in nearly a decade that refuses to quit. Refuses to implode. Refuses to mail it in until next week.

Mike Mularkey cares deeply about these players and this team. Heck, he even cares about the fans. He has repeatedly talked in public and behind closed doors about the need to win home games. The need to give the fans something to root for. That true and heartfelt emotion has infused itself throughout this team.

Make no mistake about it. Mularkey is strict. He rules with a firm hand and puts up with zero nonsense. Just ask Dorial Green-Beckham and Kendall Wright. This puff piece isn't about Mularkey being soft, but about how he has instilled a true sense of family and brotherhood in this team. And most importantly, how that has translated to the field.

For the first time in a long time, Titans fans can be freed of that nauseous feeling on Sunday when you begin to wonder (or realize) that maybe, just maybe, you care more than the players and the coach of the team you root for. Win or lose, this team cares about the outcome and each other. They don't quit. And it's all because of Mularkey... and his hugs.