Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher smiles on the sidelines in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. The Titans won 30-13 for their first win of the season. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher smiles on the sidelines in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. The Titans won 30-13 for their first win of the season. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Going West isn't something the Tennessee Titans do very well, and now the team that just ended an eight-game skid dating back to last season faces the challenge of snapping a different kind of losing streak: Yes, eight straight losses.

The last time Tennessee won a game in that region was 2001 near the end of a 7-9 season with a win at Oakland.

Since then, the Titans have lost eight straight games, including a wild-card game in January 2008. Three of the losses have been at San Diego, one apiece at Denver and Arizona, three at Oakland and the 1-9 stretch in the last 10 games starts with a 1999 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the team they visit Sunday.

"It's been difficult for us," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "I think the last few years we've gone out we've faced a good Charger team. We faced a good Raider team for a couple years out there. I don't think we were as competitive as we would have liked early when we went to Seattle. Again, this is a new opportunity, new chance to start a streak."

The Titans (1-6) are coming off their first win of the season. Fisher is focusing instead on his team's five straight wins against NFC opponents, a mark that is 10-2 over the past three years.

"Not that I keep those things on the front of my mind," Fisher joked before turning serious.

"One of the things we stress here is familiarity. That's important. We're familiar with the conference opponents, the divisional opponents, you play them twice a year. When you're playing somebody for the first time perhaps under new systems, you have to spend the extra time to get to know them. ... That's kind of been our approach."

Center Kevin Mawae used to play in Seattle and said the time difference can affect teams playing either earlier or later than usual. And he has heard that stat Fisher mentioned probably more than once.

"Since I've been out here, we've only played out there once or twice. I do know we're 10-2 against NFC opponents over the last three years. That's pretty good," he said.

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DIRTIEST PLAYERS? Sports Illustrated released its list of the NFL's top 10 dirtiest players, and two Titans are in there. Center Kevin Mawae is at No. 5 followed by cornerback Cortland Finnegan at No. 6 in the magazine's poll of some players in the league.

Mawae said he didn't get a vote.

"I guess if you're in the top five in the vote of the dirtiest players you wouldn't be asked. Anyway, I'm in good company," Mawae said.

When told Finnegan was at No. 6, Mawae had a quick reason.

"Because he plays harder than most guys on the field, so they take exception to it. Hines Ward, one of my favorite players in the league, is No. 1," Mawae said.

Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said his only surprise was that Finnegan wasn't first. He also told Mawae congratulations and that he was trying to work his way up that list without having to buy his way on through fines.

"It's quite an honor. If you're going to be known for something, I guess it's not the worst thing," he said.

Finnegan's goal is to be No. 1 in what he calls a badge of honor.

"Absolutely I love it for guys who think so highly of you is something I look forward to," Finnegan said.

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STREAKY TITANS? This is the team that started 2008 by winning eight straight, then reeled off eight losses in a row. Now Tennessee (1-6) has won its first game, is this the start of a new streak? The Titans certainly hope so, even if they are taking the old one game at a time approach.

"That feeling felt so good to win and get the monkey off our back," cornerback Cortland Finnegan said. "That's a good sign. Hopefully, it'll just be a snowball effect."

Coach Jeff Fisher is a bit hopeful with his secondary healing up. Finnegan returned in last week's 30-13 win over Jacksonville along with defensive back Vincent Fuller.

"Right now it's important we won our last game, and it's important we win the next one. That's how you get out of these situations," he said.

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NEW RETURNER: Jeff Fisher is trying to settle on players to handle punt and kickoff returns. Who gets the job remains to be seen.

He used Kevin Kaesviharn to essentially catch punts in last week's 30-13 win over Jacksonville, and safety Michael Griffin handled kickoffs though he only got to catch one in that game. But the Titans signed running back Alvin Pearman last week because he could return and brought back receiver Chris Davis earlier this week for the same reason.

Fisher said he is pleased with both Pearman and Davis, but who handles the job will depend on who the coach needs to deactivate Sunday in San Francisco.