Titans vs. Chargers game review

The Titans extended their losing streak to the San Diego Chargers losing 33-25 in San Diego Sunday. The lost snapped the Titans three game win streak and extended the Chargers win streak over the Titans to eight games dating back to 1993. They continue to be the only team Jeff Fisher has not defeated in the league, and for some reason just have the Titans number.

The game started out well for the Titans when they got a blocked punt by Nick Schommer for a safety to give them a two point lead and the ball. The Chargers would come back to score later in the first quarter on a 15 play 83 yard drive topped off by a 1-yard run by Mike Tolbert. Vince Young looked sharp to open the second quarter completing passes to rookie Damien Williams and Lavelle Hawkins. He would later connect for a one yard touchdown pass to TE Craig Stevens. San Diego would go three and out and their next drive and the Titans would score again on their next, this time on the legs on Chris Johnson for a 29-yard burst. Johnson looked to be surrounded in the back field but was able to cut back and make two defenders miss and got a great block from Vince Young. It was just a beautiful run and really the lone highlight ofJohnson’s day. He would finish with 15 carries for just 59 yards and that one touchdown.

San Diego would march right back down the field on the next play and score to make it 19-14 and that would be the score going into halftime.

The third quarter is when things begin to slip away from the Titans. The offense began to sputter leading to three consecutive punts in the third. San Diego on the other hand found their rhythm and scored on a field goal from Kris Brown and a game breaker touchdown from Antonio Gates. Phillip Rivers would find him streaking up the sidelines for a 48- yard strike. That score gave all of the momentum to the Chargers heading into the fourth quarter.

Even with uncle mo on the side of the Chargers, Vince Young and the Titans were not finished. Young would find Nate Washington for a 71 yard bomb deep down the middle on the Titans first drive in the fourth. The Titans would try a two-point conversion but would fail making the game 25-27 in San Diego’s favor. The Chargers again would roar back and score a touchdown on an 8 play 52 yard drive capped by a Phillip Rivers pass to Darren Sproles for 13 yards. San Diego would have a bad snap on the extra point forcing Kris Brown to run and get tackled without ever attempting the extra point. This was important as it kept it a one possession game for the Titans at 33-25.

On the Titans next drive, Vince Young would go down with an apparent ankle/Achilles injury. He would finish the game 10/21 for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Kerry Collins would enter the game in mop up duty for Young. Collins would lead the last drive for the Titans but to no avail as Chris Johnson would drop his pass on a fourth and two that would seal the victory for the Chargers. “It was just a dropped ball, that’s about it, a play I was supposed to make,” Johnson said. “I make it nine out of 10 times but it was just a dropped ball.”

Said Collins: “We just couldn’t hook up for whatever reason. It’s unfortunate because we fought our butts off to get down there

The Titans fought hard but could not pull out another tough close game. The Chargers are a desperate team and finally played like it. Phillip Rivers would finish 27-36 for 305 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was able to dissect the Titans defense and throw for big gains. The Titans have a bye week next Sunday and it will give them a chance to evaluate their season to this point and to get all of the injured healthy. They should be very happy with a 5-3 record but also disappointed with two close losses to Denver and San Diego. They could easily be 7-1 at this point. Their next game is Nov. 14th at the Miami Dolphins.

Monday night recap

Ravens 10 Jets 9 - So all that talking for this Jets? I mean all off season all we here coming out of the coach and the players mouth is how they are going to the Super bowl. They had propped themselves up as the the second coming of the Broadway Joe's team. So when the lights were on and the cameras focused on them, they go out and lay a dude with the national spotlight on them Monday night. Mark Sanchez looks like a man on a mission to prevent the Jets from doing anything special this year. Sanchez completed less than half of his passes, totaling only 74 yards passing. Its not his entire fault, the play calling from Brian Schottenheimer looked anything but innovative. And To be fair as well credit must be given to the Ravens. The defense still is one of the hardest hitting in the league. They were harassing Sanchez all night and seemed to be in the backfield at will. I see why Ray Lewis landed that old spice swagger commercial. The hit he put receiver coming over the middle made me hurt. Joe Flacco had a decent night going 20/38 238 yards and an interception. At least he tried to pass the ball downfield. The Jets seemed content on running and taking field goals. If your goal is to reach the Super Bowl, than your offense better score points. The jury is still out those J-e-t-s ( I can't stand that stupid cheer), they face their arch rival in New England on a short week. Good win for the Ravens.

Chiefs 21 Chargers 14- Why do we have to go threw this every year with the Chargers? Its like a script from a bad reality show. Their motto has to be its not the way you start but the way you finish. Once again, just like the past few seasons the Chargers look anything but ready for the 1st game of the season. San Diego came out flat and let the young Chiefs gain their confidence. Jamal Charles made defenders look silly with his burst of speed for a touchdown run. Dexter McCluster broke a punt return for a 94 yard return and touchdown. The Chiefs have looked to upgrade at something that can't be taught, and that is speed. Between McCluster and Arenas the return game looks to be solid. Phillip Rivers was able to move the ball and finished 22/39 298 yards 2 TDs and a rating of 98.0. I thought the absence of Vincent Jackson was going to be evident but not so much. Rivers seems to have trust in WR Legedu Nannee who finished with 5 catches for 110 yards and a TD. The Chiefs pretty much dared anyone else to beat them in the pass game not named Antonio Gates, throwing double and sometimes triple coverage at him. Matt Cassel numbers wasn't impressive going 10/22 for 68 yards and a TD. Kansas City (or New England west as I call them, is it me or do they have like the entire Pats staff of a few years back on that team) looks like a young team on the rise.