NASHVILLE, TN, Nov. 2, 2008 —For a time, it looked as if Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas was going to attempt a 63-yard field goal Sunday. Coach Jeff Fisher sent out the kicking team with 3 seconds to play in the first half and the ball on the Green Bay 45.
Then the Green Bay Packers called timeout.
"In my mind, I was ready to kick it," Bironas said after the Titans pulled out a 19-16 overtime win. "I mean, we were going out there to kick it."
The Titans again lined up in field goal formation following the timeout. When holder Craig Hentrich received the snap, however, he stood up, allowed the time to run off the clock and took a knee. The deciding factor was that the second time the Packers employed a deep safety, who was in position to field a short kick and potentially return it.
"I think they actually put (the safety) out late," Hentrich said. "(Bironas) was about ready to try an NFL-record kick."
The record of 63 yards is shared by Tom Dempsey of New Orleans (1970) and Jason Elam of Denver (1998). Bironas did attempt five field goals in the 19-16 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers at LP Field. He made four, including the game-winner from 41 yards in the extra period.
SACKS, PART I: Ittook a season and half for Jacob Ford to record his first career sack. His second came just six plays after the first.
Ford, a 2007 second-round draft pick, not only tackled Aaron Rodgers for a loss midway though the third quarter, he forced a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Stephen Tulloch. On Green Bay's next possession, Ford created a third-and-18 when he was credited with another sack of Rodgers, this one for a six-yard loss.
"It feel real good to get that first one out of the way," Ford said. "I'e been thinking about it all season and trying so hard to get it. I finally got one, and the next one came right behind it. Hopefully, it's the start of something good."
SACKS, PART II: The Titans' streak of five straight games without allowing a sack ended on the second play of the second half when Kerry Collins was dropped for a four-yard loss by defensive tackle Ryan Pickett. Collins was sacked again two plays later by defensive end Michael Montgomery for a seven-yard loss.
"That's a tough defense," coach Jeff Fisher said. "They put pressure on us. They took some things away ... yet we found a way to make the throws."
Collins was not sacked again and finished 18-37 for 180 yards.
STILL HURTING:Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch was back in the starting lineup after having missed the previous game with a groin injury.
He didn't stay there long as the issue resurfaced and limited his ability to make plays.
"I didn't feel it any in pregame, but once the game started I felt it every play pretty much," Vanden Bosch said. "... When I had to explode and I had to drive off of it, I couldn't do it."
Vanden Bosch was credited with one assisted tackle in a little more than a quarter before he went to the sideline for good.
BEST FOR LAST: Rookie running back Chris Johnson finished with a team-high 89 rushing yards on 24 attempts — an average of 3.7 yards per rush. It was the third time this season he was limited to fewer than four yards per carry.
However, he gained 29 yards on five attempts (a 5.8-yard average) on the Titans' game-winning drive in overtime.
"We didn't go away from the run the whole game," Johnson said. "When overtime came (and the end of the fourth quarter) we were able to wear them down a little bit and get some runs in there."
The Packers called Johnson a good player.
"They use him very well," Green Bay linebacker A.J. Hawk said. "They have a good one-two punch. With that physical offensive line up front, he knows how to run the ball. He is a good cutback runner."
HORSE PLAY:Defensive end Jevon Kearse was assessed a penalty for a horse collar tackle on Rodgers late in the first half. The call immediately cost the Titans a third-down conversion as Kearse had stopped Rodgers for an 8-yard gain on third-and-11, and it is expected to cost Kearse again later this week in the form of a fine.
"I certainly disagree with that (call)," Kearse said. "I've never seen anyone get horse-collared and fall forward. Whenever I get that fine in the mail, I'm going to be appealing that one."
EXTRA POINTS: Safety Chris Hope intercepted a pass for the second straight game. He had two in the previous contest against Indianapolis. ... Green Bay's 390 total yards and 288 passing yards were the most allowed this season by the Titans defense. ... Running back LenDale White failed to score a rushing touchdown for the second time this season. He did have the second-longest run of his career (54 yards) in the second quarter. ... The sellout crowd (69,143) was the 100th straight at LP Field for a Titans' game (preseason and playoffs included).
