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Sunday, November 2, 2008
Tennessee Titans Eke Out Eighth Win vs. Green Bay Packers, 19-16 in Overtime
Posted by kotang at 4:09 PM
"LADY LUCK"Any game that goes into overtime has had some major screwups along the way; that or both teams have had remarkable poise and presence on the field, and neither has a clear advantage. In this case, the Titans won because there's a lucky charm somewhere with their name on it. Maybe a blue cut stone hanging around a redhead's neck..who knows? This was Coach Fisher's lucky day, no doubt about it.
This game should not have gone into overtime. I (and everyone else nearby) second-guessed the coaching of that final 30 seconds of regulation, when Coach Fisher's strategy of running the clock down to a couple seconds without driving any closer to the goal line than 47 yards before turning Rob Bironas loose. Sure enough, as fate would have it, Rob Bironas' kick smacked into the goalpost, and by all rights that should have cost us the game.
But fate or that deep-blue lucky charm (or some other, who knows?) gave us the coin toss. Then, Kerry Collins, the 'Joe the Plumber' of NFL Quarterbacks, worked the field to give Rob Bironas another chance. From 41 yards, Rob Bironas won the game, and saved himself hours of ribbing and needling in the locker room.
Sure, Coach Fisher does a fantastic job. Last week he was given honors as the Coach of the Week. But why'n'hell didn't he allow a couple more snaps, give the ball to Lendale White or Chris Johnson, and get a few yards closer to the end zone?
Sheesh.
"In overtime, rookie Chris Johnson took over. He caught a 16-yarder on third-and-6, then ran 14 yards for another first down. He finished with 89 yards on 24 carries and six receptions for 72 yards more. He also scored the Titans' only TD.Nevermind all of that, it's water under the bridge. The Titans are 8-0, one game away from a winning season. There's a pretty good chance they will win one more game. Better odds than making every 47-yard field goal, obviously.
"To go right back out, I don't think it could have set up better for us," Collins said.
"Green Bay outgained Tennessee 390-347 in total offense. The Packers also brought in a defense leading the NFL with 13 interceptions, but it was the Titans who made the big defensive plays in sacking Rodgers four times and forcing two turnovers, including Chris Hope's interception in the end zone.
"There are no moral victories," Rodgers said. "We wanted to get to 5-3. We felt like we had a good game plan and we were very aggressive. I just didn't throw the ball as well as I wanted to. I'm very disappointed about the way I played, but our resolve is strong and I'll come back next week and be ready to play in a big game against the Vikings."
Oh, photos. I was indisposed and missed the Titan's sole touchdown, just before the 2nd Quarter ended.
What I liked..
Vince Young, not the star anymore. Will he ever be?
Oh, this was the best weather yet. 72° at kickoff. 
First play of the game; Jevon Kearse introduces Aaron Rodgers to his shadow, up close and personal.
Ahhh, but there's a couple shots here of the Titan's Cheerleaders. Clicky to embiggen, of course.
Aaron Rodgers gets a pass away near the end of the second quarter.
Armed Forces day at LP Field. Color guards of all the services presented colors. Here, the United States Air Force.
United States Coast Guard.
Army, Marines, Navy.
The Tennessee National Guard Marching Band, and the American Flag. Click this one; it's a huge picture (actually two pics stitched together)
Kerry Collins gets a pass away in the 3rd Quarter. 
Cheerleaders! Great shot here, click it or ticket.
A nervous fan in the 4th Quarter. With the score tied up, the Cheese Heads were smelling of limburger victory. 
Kerry Collins setting up in the 4th Quarter.
Chris Johnson, the Titans' best draft pick in years.
Rob Bironas boots the game-winner in overtime. Saving himself from a week of misery, no doubt.
Jeff Fisher shakes Mike McCarthy's hand after the game. 
Sour-looking Cheese Head goes home. There was a 50% chance that sour expression might be on one of us.The Titans play Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, in Detroit. Let's hope they get a win by then. A dangerous team is a team with no wins.
And a team that's unbeaten? Well, let's thank Lady Luck for this one, and hope she makes the trip to Chicago next Sunday.
Previous Titans Posts
Photoblogged home games...
Preseason Home Game 1: Titans vs. St. Louis Rams, 8/9/08
Preseason Home Game 2: Titans vs. Oakland Raiders, 8/15/08
Home Game 1, Titans - Jacksonville Jaguars 9/7/08 (W 17-10)
Home Game 2, Titans - Texans 9/21/08 (W 31-12)
Home Game 3, Titans vs. Minnesota Vikings - Week 4, 9-28-2006 W 30-17
Home Game 4, Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts 10/27/08 W 31-21
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