Like most of the teams in the AFC, the Tennessee Titans haven't looked like contenders through seven games. But somehow, like most teams in the AFC, the Titans are still right in the playoff hunt.
The Titans used a strong running game and some late fourth quarter magic from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to help beat the Bills 35-34 in Buffalo.
Starting in the place of injured second-year quarterback Jake Locker, Hasselbeck completed a do-or-die fourth down pass to wide receiver Nate Washington for the go-ahead touchdown with just over a minute left in the game.
"It's a great feeling," Hasselbeck said to the Associated Press. "To pull through once again in a close game for our third win in a game that came down basically to the last play was a great feeling."
HERE IS A LINK to Chris Johnson's 83-Yard Touchdown Run
Last week the team had a similar finish, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 26-23 on Thursday night.
With a 3-4 record the team is still alive for a wild card spot, considering that the only teams above .500 in the conference are the New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans, who lead the Titans' AFC South division.
Running back Chris Johnson broke out of a season-long slump, rushing for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged over 10 yards per carry and also scored on an electrifying 83-yard touchdown run. Johnson came into the game with just 301 rushing yards on the season. In the first half against the Bills he rushed for over 100 yards and scored two first quarter touchdowns.
"I don't think I've ever had a bad game against them," Johnson said. "Yeah, I've been waiting for it for a while. I don't think I went 80 yards in like two years, so it feels good."
According to the Associated Press, "In three games, Johnson upped his career total against the Bills to 480 yards and six touchdowns."
HERE IS A LINK to Brad Smith's 89-Yard Kick Return For a Touchdown
Buffalo lost the turnover battle on Sunday, giving away an interception and a fumble while the Titans protected the ball. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had another shaky game, throwing for 225 yards and three touchdowns, and was also responsible for both Bills turnovers.
"I got greedy in a situation where I didn't have any business being greedy in," Fitzpatrick said, referring to his attempt to force a pass to Donald Jones at the right sideline. "It was a dumb throw and dumb decision by me. Third down, and game on the line, (coach) Chan (Gailey) put the ball in my hands, and I throw an interception. That one hurts."
The Bills did a good job matching points with the titans throughout the game, but were shut out in the fourth quarter.
"He had a bad throw at the end. Other than that, he played really, really well," head coach Chan Gailey said. "If you get rid of all the quarterbacks for one bad throw, you're not going to have any quarterbacks left."
The game was high scoring and featured numerous big plays. The wildest moments came in the latter part of the first quarter, when the teams scored three touchdowns within 30 seconds of each other.
Following a Fred Jackson touchdown reception with 3:01 left in the first quarter, Titans running back Chris Johnson broke off an 83-yard run, taking 18 seconds off the clock. On the following play, Bills receiver Brad Smith took the kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown, taking another 12 seconds off the clock.
According to STATS LLC, "It was the fastest three-score span since the Raiders and Patriots scored three times in 26 seconds on Dec. 14, 2008."
The Titans have now won two games in a row despite being ranked in the bottom five of the league in rushing offense, rushing defense and passing defense.
"At the end, when we had to find a way to win it, all the phases came together," said Titans coach Mike Munchak said. "You see them believing in each other. If we're in the game, we're going to find a way to win it."
The Titans ended a three-game road losing streak this season with the win and will face the Indianapolis Colts at home next Sunday.
