Tennessee Titans Beat Detroit Lions In Overtime Shocker

Sep 23, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) rushes against Detroit Lions outside linebacker Justin Durant (52) during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-US PRESSWIRE

I pity the fool who missed the Tennessee Titans game against the Detroit Lions. That game was one of the most incredible games I’ve ever seen, if not the most incredible.

The Titans came into this game as the underdog in everyone’s book, including my own. The defense, special teams, and offense of the Titans made the Lions look like puppy dogs until the second half.

The Titans had a punt return, kick return, and fumble robbery that they returned for touchdowns today. The punt was reminiscent of the Music City Miracle that lead the Titans to the Super Bowl nearly a decade ago. WR/RB Darius Reynaud lateraled the ball to CB Tommie Campbell who took it to the bank. Reynaud also took the kick return, which was 105 yards long (franchise record), all the way back, thanks to a key block by rookie TE Taylor Thompson.

Titans CB Alterraun Verner had a monsterous game, ripping the ball out of a Lions’ TE’s hands and returning it 72 yards for a touchdown. He also had a INT at the end, though it would be called back due to a roughing the passer penalty called on OLB Akeem Ayers. Ayers had a solid game despite that horrid penalty. He nearly had a pick in the first half and recorded the Titans only sack of the game.

The Lions struggled offensively in the first half, especially when it came to converting 3rd downs. The Titans kept star WR Calvin Johnson in check in the first half with Johnson only getting one reception for 6 yards.

QB Jake Locker was finally able to shoulder the Titans offense, who once again struggled to move the ball on the ground. Locker complete 69% of his passes while throwing for 378 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed for an additional 35 yards.

Despite leading by two touchdowns in the final minute, the Lions rallied behind their 2nd string QB Shaun Hill and got two touchdowns to tie it up, one of which was the last second hail mary that was swatted down into the arms of WR Titus Young.

The Titans would get the ball in overtime and push the ball down the field for a field goal. There was a controversial reversal on a completion to Titans’ TE Craig Stevens, though they still got a first down from a helmet to helmet contact from former Titan MLB Steven Tulluch. This is the third game in a row the replacement refs have blown a call for the Titans.

The Lions were able to push the ball all the way into the Titans redzone, but failed to complete a QB sneak on a 4th and short. It looked to be a bad snap, though the Titans D-line had a solid push that made it seems as if Hill never had a chance anyways.

This game was packed with highlights, half of which will have to be in Sports Center’s Top-10. No article can do justice to how amazing this game was to watch.

If you missed it, I’m sorry. It was amazing.

You can find me on Twitter @JustinLStewart