Titans Team Report
INSIDE SLANT
Who would have thought it, but suddenly the Titans could be on the cusp of the AFC wild-card chase.
The Titans won their fourth consecutive game after an 0-6 start, and now at 4-6 they find themselves just two games behind the current wild-card leaders Pittsburgh and Jacksonville.
There are still six games to play, and numerous tiebreaker scenarios (many of which would go against Tennessee) exist, but any thought of the postseason seemed completely lost in the wake of the worst start in the Jeff Fisher era and a 59-0 blasting at New England.
Since that time the Titans have found the right formula, utilizing Chris Johnson, who leads the NFL in rushing with 1,242 yards after a 151-yard effort Monday night against Houston. Johnson is on pace for 1,987 yards, and he went over 100 yards rushing for the fifth consecutive game.
The other part of the equation is the rebirth of Vince Young(notes), who is 4-0 as a starter (22-11 in his career) and is playing the best football of his four-year NFL career in terms of playmaking and decision-making. Young was 12 of 22 for 116 yards against the Texans, and he added 73 yards on the ground.
Will it be enough to propel the Titans back into contention? That remains to be seen, especially with back-to-back games against offensive juggernauts Arizona and Indianapolis upcoming, but after the way the Titans have turned the corner, nothing appears impossible anymore.
NOTES, QUOTES
—Linebacker Keith Bulluck(notes) talked some trash about the Texans before the Monday night game, saying the Houston team talked too much about each game being the biggest in franchise history, and acting like each division win was a playoff game.
Bulluck didn’t back off that after Tennessee’s 20-17 victory at Reliant Stadium.
“I definitely got under their skin, because they didn’t say anything back,” Bulluck said of his comments. “I wasn’t trash-talking, I was just stating facts. If you look and read what I said, I really was just stating facts.”
• Safety Kevin Kaesviharn(notes) had a trying week. First, his wife gave birth to the couple’s third child, but the infant girl was premature, forcing Kaesviharn to leave the team and miss practice all week.
He returned and not only played in the game Monday night but also wound up fielding punts, as Alvin Pearman(notes) was declared inactive. Kaesviharn fair-caught four punts, and another went for a touchback.
He was scheduled to head back home Tuesday to visit his wife and new baby girl.
“She’s doing better,” Kaesviharn said of the infant. “My wife got to hold her (Monday) for the first time. She’s doing great. I’m going to go home (Tuesday) morning and check in on her and get back to work on Wednesday.”
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Player Notes
• RB Chris Johnson had a career-high 29 carries for 151 yards. Johnson is on pace for 1,987 yards and has a goal of reaching 2,000 yards, something only five other running backs in NFL history have done.
• QB Vince Young looked poised and collected in leading the Titans downfield on their game-winning drive. Young finished 12 of 22 for 116 yards and one touchdown pass. He also ran for 73 yards.
• CB Nick Harper(notes) returned from missing four games with a broken forearm, and he gave up a 12-yard touchdown to Andre Johnson(notes) in the first half but played well in the second half.
• WR Kenny Britt(notes) caught a 13-yard touchdown pass, the first of his NFL career.
• K Rob Bironas(notes) nailed a game-winning 53-yard field goal not long after missing a 49-yard kick early in the fourth quarter.
Report Card Vs . TEXANS
Passing Offense: B-plus—Vince Young was strong again. His numbers could have been better than 12 of 22 for 116 yards had Nate Washington(notes) held onto a deep ball that fell off his fingertips.
Rushing Offense: A—The yards were harder to come by for Chris Johnson, and he ran a lot between the tackles. Still, he has become a workhorse, and he gained 151 yards Monday night.
Pass Defense: C-plus—Matt Schaub(notes) had his second 300-yard passing game vs. Tennessee this season, but the Titans held the Texans to just three second-half points. The Titans had four sacks and nine pressures.
Rush Defense: A—The Texans gained just 57 yards on 17 rushing attempts Monday night, as the Titans kept Chris Brown and Steve Slaton(notes) bottled up.
Special Teams: B—The return game was its usual mundane self, but it’s hard to ignore the clutch kicking of Rob Bironas, whose 53-yard kick after a 49-yard miss was the difference.
Coaching: A—The Titans had a good game plan offensively, riding Johnson and complementing his work with timely runs and throws by Young. Defensively, Tennessee tightened up in the second half to slow the Houston passing attack.

Music City Miracles
49 Comments
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With the loss of Haynesworth, now teams can run the ball on us and rest their Defense. That is why our line isn't as good this year.
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In the NFL, QB's have usually proven themselves time and time again before getting the starts, and Collins deserved as much time as possible to prove to be a winner. Now the Titans are Young's team to lead and with Fisher's help they will end up with a winning record. Who knows, 9-7 is not impossible with the mindset of this team right now.
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jon gruden is at the top of the list
bill cowher
mike holmgren
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Fisher deserves better than this. Perhaps he gets lucky to be fired and gets hired somewhere else. I guaranty that there are several teams that would grab him if available. The Titans will have a hard time replacing Jeff Fisher.
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Dude are seriously an idiot or just a jackass. Fisher is never underated you @#$% boy. You need to fire your dad for raising a @#$%ot like you. Fisher keeps the Titans in the playoffs and forces them to compete at a high level. That's why he's the longest tenured queer boy.
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Also, we actually have a decent deep threat now in Kenny Britt! Washington will be a solid additon as well. We have 3 solid receivers to put on the field in passing situations who can make a play: Washington, Gage, and Britt.
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I think Collins will do a great job. He is the starter for a reason. I do like VY too, but think he is not quite ready to start, despite the die-hard loyalty from his fans. He will have to mature some before I will reevaluate my opinion on him. Bulluck should definitely get an extension, he is my favorite left on the team. Don't want to be losing him!
I also want to say that I will be sad to see the day Jeff Fisher leaves. As my dad once put he, he is about the most perfect coach you can get for our city. He fits in really well with the entire attitude of Nashville in general.
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Actually the Titans DID win their division last year even after they slowed following their 10-0 start. Best record in the NFL last year I do believe... at least in the AFC and probably in the whole league. I hope everyone underestimates the TITANS again because their gonna romp!!!!
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Why would Texan fans be reading this? Because we know that the NFL doesn't revolve around our trophy-less team. Take a cue.
BTW your Titans didn't win the division, or a Lombardi Trophy last year. Maybe you were too busy patting yourself on the back -for the Titans hot start- to realize that?
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p.s. - VY will not be traded. he wont start unless something happens to Collins. He is maturing in the league. he will most likely come in on blowout games. give him a lil time and he will shine. after all he did go 10-6 his rookie yr and got named rookie of the yr. obviously he's got something good. at least its not Matt Shuab i guess.
GO TITANS
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiH4-h4o6Us
BESFs!
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