NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The attitude, swagger and mojo that had been missing from the Tennessee Titans earlier this appear to be back. On the defensive end especially, the Titans have turned it around and learned how to put teams away, as evidenced by convincing fourth quarter, close-out finishes in the past three games. In this most recent one, the Titans scored 14 defensive points to seal a 41-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills Sunday at LP Field.
"We've been playing real well. We've been coming together and have been taking time out throughout the week to assess the things we need to do on Sunday," wide receiver Nate Washington said. "It's confidence, I think that's the main thing right now that I see from everybody. Everybody is having a good time, everybody's confident. We don't think there's a task we can't handle right now."
The Titans are now playing with the same type of confidence that propelled them to 13 wins a year ago, approaching each game with a renewed sense of conviction and certainty.
"It starts with the coaches because they never gave up on us," wide receiver Kenny Britt said. "That's a great thing when you have coaches that are confident in you."
FACING T.O.: Speaking of confidence, one of the most self-assured players in the league was in town on Sunday. The infamous Terrell Owens was on the other side of the field and throughout the game had plenty of words to say, not only to the Titans cornerbacks, but also to his own coaches on the sideline. A player of Owens' caliber is always a tough matchup, and the Titans secondary, including Rod Hood, a friend and former teammate of Owens during their time together in Philadelphia, was excited to face him.
"We don't really get into personal battles. Cortland and Rod did a good job of being physical with T.O. and getting him frustrated," Hood said. "It's extra motivation to win for us. We were six in the hole three games ago, and we're trying to get ourselves out of that. That's the biggest thing."
Both Fuller and Hood returned interceptions for touchdowns in the fourth quarter, putting the nail in Buffalo's coffin.
JOHNSON'S HUGE DAY: Running back Chris Johnson is becoming a league-wide sensation and became the first running back to reach the 1,000 rushing yard plateau this season, as he burst out for 132 yards on the ground and 100 more through the air. Using scintillating speed, shifty footwork and unparalleled quickness, Johnson sliced through Buffalo's defense with ease, picking up many first downs and two crucial touchdowns.
"He's becoming one of the most amazing players I've seen on TV or off TV. It's amazing the things that he does," Washington said. "I like him so much because he's still a kid. He's just enjoying playing football."
Johnson proved Sunday that he has all of the requisite tools for an NFL star. From using his blazing speed to get to the outside for his first touchdown, to running over a pair of Bills defenders at the goal line for his second score, Johnson did it all.
"He's amazing. He showed that he's not just a speed guy. He made some really good cuts and put his head down and got some tough yardage," defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosh said. "He's a complete running back."
