No matter what happens in the remaining games for the Tennessee Titans, one thing is certain, Justin Hunter is emerging as a true star. The rookie wide receiver proved to be every bit worth the second-round draft pick the Titans used on him as he made one critical play after another. After the Titans beat the Raiders in Week 12, Hunter is now a must-start going forward for fantasy owners.
Hunter recorded his first 100-yard game of his career, putting up 109 yards and a touchdown on six catches. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick went 6-for-6 when targeting the rookie as he averaged 18.2 yards per catch. The biggest stat for Hunter is that five of those passes came on third-down plays. He and Fitzpatrick appeared in perfect rhythm with one another as a 54-yard touchdown pass completed the win and kept the Titans in playoff contention.
On the flip side, Kendall Wright has helped create a wide receiving tandem the Titans had been searching for. The second year receiver had 103 yards off six catches while recording the game-winning touchdown for the Titans. Fitzpatrick feasted off both receivers throughout the entire game, putting up 320 total yards passing.
"Kendall's really stepped up all year for us," Fitzpatrick said, via the team website. "He's been a real reliable guy for me - a guy that I really trust. Justin Hunter today, all his catches, he really stepped up and made some plays, and obviously the great run after the catch on the touchdown. He was making tough catches, getting hit, having to go to the ground on third down conversions. So I was really proud of him today putting together the performance that he did."
Hunter has been inconsistent throughout the year, but that is also a result of inconsistent play at the quarterback position. With Jake Locker in and out of the lineup, the rookie has failed to develop chemistry with a quarterback. However, Fitzpatrick is the starter for the remainder of the season which could help the Titans playmaker become a constant threat for the team. Before Sunday, he had a total of 122 yards and two scores. The numbers on Sunday, prove that Hunter is capable of a lot more in remainder of the season.
