It was an exciting game for Titans fans today, Dec. 20, as Tennessee hung on in overtime to defeat the Miami Dolphins 27-24 in a cold day in Nashville.
The Titans blew an 18-point lead in regulation, possibly forgetting the Dolphins were fighting to keep their season alive as well, but a Michael Griffin interception in overtime gave the Titans great field position and a Rob Bironas field goal kept Tennessee’s season alive.
The win brings the Titans to 7-7, and the for the first time this 2009 NFL season, the Titans do not have a losing record (since being 0-0) and, dare we say it, still have a legitimate chance to make the AFC playoffs if they can pull of two late season victories against the Chargers and Seahawks.
After a disastrous 0-6 beginning to the season, Vince Young has looked like a real professional quarterback. Veteran Kerry Collins started the first six games this season, but was benched after possibly the lowest point in franchise history, a 59-0 defeat in the New England snow. Since that game, Young has gone 7-1, losing only to the still undefeated Indianapolis Colts, in a competitive game.
A big reason for the winless beginning was poor play by young receivers and defensive secondary. However, all of the Titans have stepped it up for a late season run.
Against the Dolphins, the secondary looked pretty good as Nick Harper made an interception late in the second quarter against Chad Henne, and late in the third quarter Chris Hope took another pick in the end zone. Add to that a Michael Griffin fumble recovery, and his overtime pick, and that’s a big part of the Titan victory.
Also in the game, Young hit a personal milestone, passing for three touchdowns for the first time in his career, two to Justin Gage and one to Nate Washington.
Though the game was not without flaws for the Titans. In just the second play of the game, Young threw an interception deep in Titans’ territory. Young did personally put his body on the line to make the tackle, possibly saving a touchdown, and his defense came up big and held the Dolphins to three points. The defensive unit came up with another big stop late in the third quarter after Chris Johnson put a rare ball on the ground for a lost fumble in Titans’ territory. And Young bounced back quickly, and threw an on-target TD pass to Gage.
The Titans led the game at one point 24-6, but the Dolphins battled back to make it an interesting ending.
The Dolphins are now also 7-7, but with the head-to-head victory the Titans will own the tiebreaker should the two teams finish the season with the same record.
The Titans will return to LP Field on Christmas Day after a short week to take on the San Diego Chargers.
A question mark for Tennessee is defensive leader Keith Bullock, who left the Dolphins game in the third quarter with a knee injury.
