SUCCESS ON MONDAY NIGHT: The Titans' 14-10 victory over the Jets gave them four consecutive wins on Monday Night Football dating back to 2008. They are now 5-2 all-time on Monday night at LP Field (opened in 1999).
SEASON HIGH IN TAKEAWAYS: The Titans totaled a season-high five takeaways against the Jets on four interceptions and one fumble recovery. The five forced turnovers were the most by a Titans team since they recorded five against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 27, 2011. Against the Jets, they also did not turn the ball over themselves, giving them a season-high turnover ratio of plus-five.
MOST INTERCEPTIONS IN THREE YEARS: The Titans totaled four interceptions against the Jets — two each by cornerback Jason McCourty and safety Michael Griffin. The four interceptions were the most by the Titans since recording five against the St. Louis Rams on Dec. 13, 2009. It was the fifth time in the "Titans era" (1999-present) they recorded four or more interceptions.
CHRIS JOHNSON SETS FRANCHISE RECORD: In the second quarter, Chris Johnson set a new franchise record with a 94-yard touchdown run. It topped the previous franchise long of 91 yards, set by Sid Blanks against the Jets on Dec. 13, 1964 and matched by Johnson against the Houston Texans on Sept. 20, 2009. Johnson's run was the longest in the NFL since a 95-yarder by Minnesota Vikings running back Chester Taylor on Oct. 22, 2006, and he extended his NFL record with his sixth career run of 80 yards or longer. Johnson became the third player in NFL history with multiple 90-plus yard touchdown runs, joining Ahman Green and Bo Jackson. In the history of Monday Night Football, the only run longer than Johnson's was a 99-yard touchdown by Tony Dorsett on Jan. 3, 1983.
JOHNSON HITS 1,100: In five NFL seasons, Chris Johnsonnow has reached the 1,100-yard mark for the fourth time. With two games remaining in 2012, Johnson has 1,159 yards and five touchdowns on 244 carries (4.8 avg.).
JOHNSON OVER 100: With 21 carries for 122 yards (5.8 avg.), Chris Johnson recorded the 33rd 100-yard rushing game of his career and his fifth of 2012. Only Earl Campbell (39) and Eddie George (36) have more 100-yard rushing games in franchise history than Johnson.
BIG GAME FOR BROWN: Titans rookie linebacker Zach Brown recorded a pair of sacks and a fumble recovery in the game. In the second quarter, he sacked Tim Tebow for a two-yard loss, and in the third quarter, he dropped Mark Sanchez for a seven-yard loss. It gave him five sacks on the season. The second-round pick out of North Carolina also notched the game-clinching takeaway, recovering a fumble by Sanchez in Titans territory with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. Brown's effort earned him "Gruden Grinder" honors from Monday Night Football broadcaster Jon Gruden.
GRIFFIN GETS 19TH AND 20TH CAREER INTERCEPTION: In the fourth quarter, Titans safety Michael Griffin intercepted two Mark Sanchez passes to give him three interceptions this season. He returned the first interception against the Jets 26 yards, and the second came on the Tennessee two-yard line. With 20 career interceptions, Griffin moved past Keith Bulluck and Miller Farr for 14th place on the team's all-time interceptions list.
AYERS NOTCHES FIFTH SACK OF SEASON: In the fourth quarter, linebacker Akeem Ayers ended a drive with his fifth sack of the season and the seventh sack of his two-year career. On third down, he took down Mark Sanchez for an eight-yard loss. Ayers is tied for the team sack lead in 2012 with defensive end Kamerion Wimbley.
LOCKER RECORDS THIRD WIN: Jake Locker recorded his ninth career start at quarterback and picked up his third win. He completed 13 of 22 passes for 149 yards without throwing an interception (79.5 passer rating). He also rushed for 43 yards and a score on seven carries. In the third quarter, he scored his second career touchdown on what would prove to be the game-winning 13-yard run. It was his first touchdown run of the season after recording one as a rookie in 2011. On the drive, in addition to the touchdown run, Locker completed three of four passes for 46 yards.
WRIGHT MOVES UP ROOKIE RECEPTION LIST: Against the Jets, wide receiver Kendall Wright recorded three receptions for 31 yards before leaving the game with a rib injury. With a team-high 62 catches in 2012, he moved past Ernest Givins (61 receptions in 1986) for second place on the team's all-time rookie receptions list. He trails only Bill Groman, who had 72 catches as a rookie in 1960.
BIRONAS REACHES 100: With his first extra point of the game, Rob Bironas reached 100 points for the sixth consecutive season of his career, tying Al Del Greco for the team record for consecutive 100-point seasons. Only Del Greco (eight) has recorded more overall 100-point seasons than Bironas in franchise annals. Among NFL players, Bironas' active streak of six consecutive 100-point seasons ranks second, trailing only David Akers' seven straight seasons.
McCOURTY SETS CAREER HIGH: In the first half, Titans cornerback Jason McCourty picked off a Mark Sanchez pass. Then, in the third quarter, he victimized Sanchez again and returned the interception 28 yards. The pair of interceptions gave McCourty four on the season—a new career high—and eight career interceptions. It was the first multi-interception game of McCourty's four-year career.
MORGAN ENDS FIRST HALF WITH SACK: Titans defensive end Derrick Morgan ended the first half with a seven-yard sack of Mark Sanchez. Morgan now has 4.5 sacks in 2012 and 8.5 in his three-year career.
DeVAN STEPS IN FOR MATTHEWS: In the first quarter, center Kevin Matthews went down with an ankle injury. Fourth-year veteran Kyle DeVan stepped in to receive his first playing time on the offensive line as a member of the Titans. Already, the Titans only had one starter on the offensive line—left tackle Michael Roos—in place from the start of the regular season. DeVan delivered a key block that helped to spring Chris Johnson on his 94-yard touchdown run.
AFALAVA STARTS: Third-year safety Al Afalava received his first start with the Titans and his first since he recorded 13 times as a rookie with the Chicago Bears in 2009.
WASHINGTON EXTENDS STREAK: Wide receiver Nate Washington led the team with four receptions for 62 yards. He extended his streak of consecutive games with at least one reception to 76, including all 62 games he has played for the Titans.
MOMENT OF SILENCE: Prior to the singing of the national anthem, a moment of silence was held in honor of the victims of the Newtown, Conn., school shooting.
TITANS INACTIVES: The Titans' seven inactives against the Texans were quarterback Rusty Smith, wide receiver Damian Williams, linebacker Colin McCarthy, linebacker Xavier Adibi, guard Mitch Petrus, tackle Daniel Baldridge and defensive end Scott Solomon.
