You expect certain things in a game played during a steady rainfall: Fumbles, players falling down, injuries and dropped passes. We got all of that in Nashville on Sunday, along with the most hurdling of defenders I've seen in a single game, and something totally unexpected: Chris Johnson's best running performance of the season.

For most of the game it looked like the Titans could do everything but score. Their only touchdown of the first half came from beautifully executed play on a kick return. Marc Mariani caught the ball at the goal line then ran it up the left side line. Just as he was about to be hit he reached backwards to hand the ball to Tommy Campbell who reversed the field and sprinted 84 yards untouched to score.

Throughout the game the Titans were able to run the ball well, and did a good job of containing Tampa's dangerous running back LaGarrette Blount until late in the game. The problem for both teams was turnovers. The light rain contributed to eight fumbles.

Several players were injured during this game. Tight end Jared Cook was helped off the field after being leveled on an incomplete pass, but after the gem said he was fine. Campbell was slammed to the ground while blocking the gunner on a punt and taken to the locker room for evaluation -- the early report in a sprained shoulder.

After Tampa took a 17-10 lead in the third quarter by scoring on an interception return, the whole game took on a new level of intensity. The crowd had thinned out as the rain continued to fall, but the people who remained were remarkably loud. A 52-yard field goal closed the score to 17-13. On their next possession the Titans got down to the 2-yard line and decided to go for the touchdown rather than an easy field goal. Matt Hassellbeck had plenty of time to look for an open receiver and Damien Williams made one of his signature back of the end-zone catches to give the Titans the lead.

Tampa then got an excellent kick return with about three minutes left in the game they seemed to be in a position to tie the game or retake the lead. That's when rookie linebacker Colin McCarthy made the big defensive play of the day. He picked off a pass and resisted the urge to try for a return, instead securing the ball and lying down on it. This gave the offense a chance to come in and use up the clock, and force Tampa to burn its timeouts. The ensuing drive resulted in another field goal which gave Tennessee a six point lead, forcing Tampa to try of a touchdown with 1:44 left and no timeouts.

Tampa made the last drive interesting. The Bucs drove 55 yards down the field. But the game came down to a fourth and one play, and the Titans' defense got the stop.

Before this season started many experts said that the rebuilding Tennessee Titans would be lucky to get six wins. With five games left on the schedule they've already achieved that, and should be able to add a few more.

Stars of the Game
Offense: Chris Johnson
He didn't get into the end zone, but 190 yards! That's more than his first five games. Maybe the solution to the running game problems is a sprinkler system.

Defense: Dave Ball
Two sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a tackle for loss and a QB hurry.

Special Teams: Tommy Campbell
His perfectly executed play on the kick return got the Titans on the board and provided a big momentum lift.

Difference Maker: Colin McCarthy
Once again he led the team in tackles. His interception in the fourth quarter set up the drive that shut the door on the Bucs.

Unsung Hero: Ahmard Hall
One catch and one carry, but both for first downs.

Stats of the Game
8 Total number of fumbles (including those recovered by the same team)
9 Number of turnovers
5 Players who left the game due to injury (whether they returned or not)
8.3 Average yards per carry by Chris Johnson

Locker Room Quotes
LB Colin McCarthy
on the win: "It was a great win for us, as far as bouncing back after last week and the defense not finishing, and in the fourth quarter to finish them and get the interception. And then lastly, on that last drive they were driving in to score and [Jason Jones] on fourth did a great job getting in there forcing them to fumble the football. Getting this win is great for us, and playing 60 minutes to the finish is what we wanted to do."
on the mood of the team: "We've been up and down, our main thing is trying to stay consistent. Next week we've just got to win one game. We'll go to Buffalo with a mindset to just win one game, and from there we'll take it from there."

WR Damian Williams
on his thoughts trying to get open in end zone: "I came out of my break and I was wide open, but Matt couldn't see me, and I was just dying to get into his vision. I knew I was open I was just dying to get into his vision, luckily he stayed with it and kept working."
on if he was sure he was in bounds: "I knew I was in during the play, but when I watched the replay I was kind of nervous. From that angle it did look like I stepped out."

TE Jared Cook
on his injury: "I'm doing fine. It just knocked me dizzy a little bit."
on the flow of the game: "It was a tough game. It was hard fought from the first to the last snap. It was a hard fought game by both sides, a lot of turnovers by both sides, we fought it out."

DE Dave Ball
on the last defensive series: "The last series was just basically do or die for both teams and it was great of our offense to bleed the clock and take away all of their time outs. They had some good runs, so we were fortunate that they only had 1:40 with no time outs. We just made the big plays when it counted, it came down to inches out there and we were able to make a big play."
on his performance: "They gave me a full frontal lobotomy which helped, they infused some of Deacon Jones frozen stem cells into my brain, which is good. So you know I kind of feel good."

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-- CHARLIY NASH
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