Dec 30, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Akeem Ayers (56) is congratulated by teammate Tennessee defensive end Kamerion Wimbley (95) for sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) (not pictured)during the second half at LP Field. Titans won 38-20. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans have made it a long difficult year for the Silver Lining post, stringing together horrible games with dismal performances.  Good things come to those who wait however, and the Titans went out in a winning if not awkward fashion yesterday.  The offense looked great on the opening drive and sputtered from there.  The Titans defense and special teams scored 28 unanswered points without Locker and company stepping on the field to go up 35-14 on the Jags in the 3rd quarter.

So what good came out of this game?

*Special Teams/Alan Lowry/D. Reynaud

One of the lone bright spots on this team this year has been the special teams unit.  Fan favorite Marc Mariani went down in the preseason with a horrible broken leg, which would have historically spelled disaster for the Titans.  Remember the year Jeff Fisher thought we didn’t need a kick returner?  Reynaud has stepped in for Mariani and played well all year.  Lowry is probably the only coach I care if the Titans keep or not.   The special teams units played admirably this year and won this final game for the Titans.

*The Titans Won

Much like the Monday Night game, the Titans found a way to win, even if it was a little unorthodox.  We definitely didn’t impose our offensive will on the Jags, and the defense was sporadic at best.  Why Jacksonville even tried to throw the ball at all is beyond me with the way they were running all over the Titans D.  But instead of hanging heads and having one eye on their vacation homes, the Titans rallied and played hard.  They finished the game strong and with an air of confidence.

*Draft Pick

Many fans were rooting for a Titans loss for a shot at a better draft pick in this upcoming off season.  The Titans annoyed these fans by winning the game as if they didn’t know what was at stake!  Everyone should calm down because the Titans stunk enough during the other 15 games to still be picking 10th overall in the draft.  The best they could have done with a loss is 6th or 7th.  We won’t know until the draft and really for another three years down the road, but I’m not worried about some massive drop in talent between these 3 draft slots.  The Titans managed to get a win, a little confidence, and still have a nice nice pick for the first and subsequent rounds.

*Zach Brown

The “soft hitting” surprise second round pick from last year continues to improve and make the front office look like they know what they are doing.  By far the most improved player for the Titans,  Brown was all over the ball yesterday and had two pick sixes to boot.  His progression has been a wonderful thing to watch and is a true silver lining on a sporadic at best defense.

That’s it for the Silver Lining this year,  maybe next year won’t be so hard!

Did you see any good in the Titans finale?

you can find me on twitter  @gunnelsj

One of the maulings Locker took at Lambeau. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Ahhh, my Tennessee Titans.  There is no Silver Lining here folks.  Seriously.  Even Sally Sunshine can’t shine her rays on this game.  The defense was deplorable and the offense was even worse.  Previously, in other defeats, we could at least look to sections of the team or parts of the game where things clicked for the Titans and showed some hope for the future.  At no point during this game could I find a way to say: “Well, at least they did this well.”

But alas,  the post must go on!  So here are my crappy Silver Linings which still aren’t as crappy as the game was:

* We didn’t get shut out.  Locker hit Britt for a long pass down the sideline and then went to him again for a touchdown from the 4 in junk time.  Small potatoes, but that’s all you’re going to get in a game like this.

*Bud Adams is pissed.  That means change is brewing and it can’t get worse so change is good.

* I can see said the blind man!  The Titans had pulled the wool over our eyes the past few weeks.  They had played well for the most part and kept games close.  Going to Lambeau  and playing a truly elite non divisional opponent is exactly what was needed to expose the Titans for what they are: Horrible.  At least this way we find out sooner than later.  I would hate to go into the off-season thinking things weren’t really that bad, just to have next year blow up in our face.  If you’re going to dump me, do it now and don’t string me along like a fool.

*Now the fans can truly not care about next weeks game.  The way the Jags hung with the Patriots this weekend has me already writing off the Titans as 0-6 in the division.  I was prepared to lose the Packers game, just not look completely inept.  Now I’m prepared for that as well and can watch next weeks game with a sense of detachment, with another eye on the draft board.

Bet you can’t find anything else good from this game.  Seriously!

you can follow me on twitter  @gunnelsj

Dec 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Zach Brown (55) celebrates with corner back Alterraun Verner (20) after recovering a fumble against the New York Jets during the second half at LP Field. The Titans beat the Jets 14-10. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans snapped a three game losing streak on Monday Night Football this week against the NY Jets.  Don’t pay attention to the people that are saying this is the worst MNF game in history.  Disregard the fact that the Titans tried their hardest to give the game away on multiple occasions.  Pay no mind to the the slide down in draft position for the Titans.  For this is The Silver Lining, where the consummate optimist baths in nothing but good vibes!

So what good can we find in Monday Night’s game?

The Titans Won

Period.  The game was ugly, but I would rather talk about an ugly win than another close loss where the Titans did everything BUT win. In fact, many would say that the first step for a young inconsistent squad is to win ugly.  Unlike other close games this year, like the Colts and Jags the team found a way to hang in there and fight to the finish.  Now they can work on the details without the albatross of not winning over their head.  The confidence that comes from winning a game such as this can be instrumental in the progress of a team like the Titans.  Now they know they can do it.  Many fans were pulling for a Titans loss in order to stay in the top 5 for the upcoming draft, but not this one.  As ugly as it was, this is exactly what the franchise needed moving forward.

The Titans Have Heart

For the first time I can remember, I honestly didn’t know all the final active roster players for the Titans.  There were at least 3 names I didn’t recognize on the side line.

The offensive line is down to 3rd string players and signing guys off the street weekly.

The playoffs have been out of reach for two weeks and only half the home crowd shows up for Monday Night Football.

There were countless stalled drives.

2 shanked punts that gave the Jets unbelievable field position.

14 penalties for over 100 yards.

It would be easy for a team to mail it in under these conditions and just try again next year, but Munchak’s Titans fought hard.  They persevered and played through to the last minute.  Jake played hard, the receivers ran hard, and the defense played their a** off.  For all it’s flaws, this team hasn’t quit on each other or on their coach.  A very strong reason Munchak should get another chance next year.

 The Offense

The offense didn’t put forth their best showing, but let’s keep in mind that the Jets had a top 5 defense coming into the game.  They are 2nd in the league in passing defense and have held opponents to 17 points/game average in 4 of the last 5 games before Monday night.  Cj answered to the Jets field goal with a big 94 yard run, and Jake engineered a 7 play, 64 yard drive for a touchdown in answer to the Jets only touchdown.  The game wasn’t pretty, but the offense did manage to score in answer to the other team, something they previously haven’t done.

The Defense

As bad as the Jets offense is, their offensive line has played well this year.  The Titans front seven was able to get pressure on Sanchez, get 6 QB hits, and 4 sacks.  Sanchez played beyond horrible but we’re looking at the bright side here, so I’m going to give Jerry Gray and the defense a thumbs up.  They bailed out the inept offense and got a win for the team.  Maybe Gray will even stick around next year….

What did you see good during the game?

you can follow me on twitter   @gunnelsj