NFL Week 4: Titans Defeat Browns, 31-13

The Titans entered the game with lots of questions. How would they perform after losing star wideout Kenny Britt to a season ending injury? Would Chris Johnson finally show up? Could the defense stop Browns running back Peyton Hillis?

And the answer is….Yes!

OFFENSE

At halftime, Hasselbeck had thrown for 3 TD’s and almost 200 yards. He finished the game with 220 yards and 1 interception to go along with those 3 TD’s. Rookie QB Jake Locker entered late in the game, throwing his first career incompletion.

Chris Johnson finished with his first 100 yard game of the season. Finally! Johnson took 23 carries for 101 yards, along with 2 receptions for 11 yards. Let’s hope this most recent performance sets Johnson off on his usual pace of terror against NFL defenses. If not, the season might get less optimistic pretty soon.

Tight end Jared Cook caught an 80 yard touchdown pass from Hasselbeck, Cook would finish with 93 yards. Cook, WR Nate Washing and WR LaVelle Hawkins all finished with 2 catches a piece. Washington had 62 yards, Hawkins had 38. Kicker Rob Bironas added a 39 yard field goal, along with 4 extra points. Punter Brett Kurn averaged 37 yards. I’m going to keep an eye out for his average throughout the season. I don’t see it being outstanding.

DEFENSE

The defense allowed Colt McCoy to throw for 40/60 (yes, I typed that right) for 350 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. McCoy might be really good this year, however Hasselbeck was better early and thus the focus on the pass that the usually run-centric Browns went with. Running back Peyton Hillis ran for 46 yards on 10 carries, before the Browns were forced to essentially abandon the run. 6 Browns caught at least 5 of McCoy’s throws (4 WR’s and 2 RB’s).

Both Cornerback Cortland Finnegan and Jason McCourty finished with 10 tackles. This gives you an idea of how much Cleveland passed the ball. Here’s the great part on the defense: Karl Klug, Derrick Morgan, Akeem Ayers and Jason Jones ALL finished with a sack. Go throw a party over that! Things are looking bright this year.

The Big Play

Safety Jordan Babineaux (filling in for SS Chris Hope) took a Colt McCoy interception 97 yards for the touchdown. It doesn’t just sound good, he had to work through traffic and made it look really impressive.