The Tennessee Titans kept their playoff hopes alive, at least for another week after a 23-17 Christmas Eve win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
After the crushing disappointment of last week’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, it was the Titans passing game that did what they couldn’t do against the Colts, take advantage of a porous secondary.
“We just, we talked about this all year about coming out and doing something we really had to do after losing tw games,” said head coach Mike Munchak. “We felt their strenghtwas their front seven, they had injuries in the back end.”
Matt Hasselbeck and the Titans offense took advantage of that depleted “back end” as Hasselbeck completed 24 of 40 pass attempts in route to his first 300 yard passing game since Sept. 25th. He ended the day with 350 yards and two touchdowns.
It was also a day of redemption for tight end Jared Cook whose fourth quarter fumble last week killed a late scoring drive that helped seal the loss.
Cook needed just over a quarter to eclipse the 100 yard mark as he was the primary target for Hasselbeck early in the contest.
After Rob Bironas connected on the first of his two 51 yard field goals on the day, it was Cook who made the big play.
On the next Titans possession it was Cook who broke open down the middle for a 55 yard touchdown reception from Hasselbeck that put the Titans in front 10-0. The scoring drive took just one play and seven seconds after the Titans took over at their own 45 following a Nick Harris punt.
“It was awesome,” said Cook. “I just wanted to kind of prove to the players what I could really be.”
Cook ended the day with 169 yard on eight receptions, and a touchdown. His 169 yards was also a new franchise record, eclipsing the previous mark set in 1980 by former Oilers Hall of Fame tight end Dave Casper.
Wide receivers Nate Washington and Damien Williams also had good days, adding 71 and 83 yards respectively to the passing total.
“We needed it,” said Williams. “This week we came out with the mindset that we were going to put it on our playmakers and throw the ball out there and see what we could do.”
Running back Chris Johnson and the offensive line again struggled against a good Jacksonville run defense, ending the day with 56 yards on 15 carries. Johnson needed just 70 yards entering today’s contest to eclipse the thousand yard mark, and will need fourteen yards next week against Houston in the season finale to reach the landmark.
“It is whatever the offensive coordinator calls, said Johnson referring to his limited number of carries. “I play for them so I run whatever.”
While Maurice Jones-Drew was the focal point for the Titans defense, the running back still managed 103 yards rushing on 24 carries and one touchdown for the Jaguars.
“Like I tell the players all the time, it’s no excuse, no explanation,” said Jacksonville Interim Head Coach Mel Tucker. “This is a production business, a bottom line production business, either we get the job done or we don’t as a team. Today we didn’t do that.
Rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who many thought would be the Titans first selection in last April’s draft finished 21 of 42 for 198 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in his first appearance at L.P. Field. That lone interception of Gabbert by Michael Griffin ended a potential late scoring chance for the Jaguars in the Titans end zone.
“It was a great play call at a great time,” said Gabbert. “On fourth down you have to give a guy a chance and tipped balls happen, but you never want them to.”
Following a 10 yard Jones –Drew touchdown run another Titans rookie got his chance to show the depth of this Titans draft class.
Running back Jamie Harper, whose role increased following the season ending injury to Javon Ringer added his first career rushing touchdown in the second quarter to increase the Titans advantage to 17-7.
Harper carried just four times on the day for 6 yards and the score.
While today’s win left the Titans still fighting for a playoff spot in the last regular season game, it’s anyone’s guess as to exactly what has to happen for the Titans to make the field, though winning next Sunday at Houston is a must, that the Titans will still need help to make it in the playoff field.
The Texans will enter next Sunday’s game with an extra two days rest following their ugly road loss to the Indianapolis Colts last Thursday night. The Texans have already clinched the division championship and following today’s victories by both Pittsburgh and Baltimore the Texans are locked into the third seed for the playoffs.
It remains to be seen exactly what the Houston strategy will be regarding who will play next week with nothing to gain for the Texans, thought it might seem logical that head coach Gary Kubiak would want more work for his rookie quarterback T.J. Yates.
Wide receiver Andre Johnson, who has been hampered by a hamstring injury, will likely miss the matchup with Titans cornerback Courtland Finnegan, who last season became involved in an on field brawl with Johnson in the game in Houston.
Next Sunday’s game at Reliant Stadium is set for a noon kickoff.
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