Jake Locker’s Final Drive Triggers Deja Vu

Sep 22, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter (15) scores the winning touchdown against San Diego Chargers cornerback Crezdon Butler (20) during the second half at LP Field. The Titans beat the Chargers 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Watching the Jake Locker and the Tennessee Titans beat the San Diego Chargers Sunday in dramatic fashion was absolutely thrilling. As soon as the game ended, I slumped back in my chair and struggled to find the words to describe how I was feeling.

“What a game,” I thought to myself. “That has got to be the best finish to a Titans game since … probably since Vince Young‘s 99 yard two-minute drill in 2009 against the Cardinals.”

Then I started doing a little research on more of the similarities and let me tell you, it’s kind of freaky.

Nov 29, 2009; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nate Washington (85) and wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins (87) congradulate teammate Kenny Britt (18) on his game winning touchdown reception during the second half at on the Titans 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles Small-US PRESSWIRE

In both games, the Titans won 20-17 at home thanks to a game-winning touchdown catch by a rookie wide receiver (Kenny Britt in 2009 and Justin Hunter this year). Against the Cardinals, Young went 99 yards in the game’s final 2 minutes and 37 seconds with three timeouts, while Locker went 94 yards in 2:05 with no timeouts. In 2009, Young was nine for 16 on the final drive, passing for 93 yards. Last Sunday, Locker completed seven of his 10 passes on the final drive for 94. Also, both quarterbacks threw their only touchdown passes of the day on their respective final drives. Another much less relevant but still interesting coincidence is that both games were played the week following a Titans away game against the Texans.

Hopefully Locker pans out a little better for Tennessee than Young did, and as of right now, it looks like he will. And considering the absolute mess that the situation between Britt and the Titans has become, hopefully Hunter has a more fruitful career, too. The signs seem to be pointing in Hunter’s favor in that department, as his game-winning touchdown reception came while Britt was on the sideline.