NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The ending of Monday night's national championship game will go down as one of the most exciting finishes in college football history.
Clemson beat Alabama 35-31 by scoring on two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Deshaun Watson to receiver Hunter Renfrow with just one second remaining. It capped a nine-play, 61-yard drive that took just 2:06 off the clock.
It was a gut-check drive for the ages.
It also got me thinking, and prompted me to rank the top 10 game-winning drives in Titans history, using the following criteria: The drive ended with a game-winning touchdown – not a field goal -- in the closing moments, or it was a walk-off, game-winner in overtime. No, The Music City Miracle doesn't count.
**How about these 10 finishes?
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Date: November 29, 2009 **Titans 20, Cardinals 17 What happened: Trailing 17-13, the Titans took over at their own one-yard line with just 2:37 left. Quarterback Vince Young guided an incredible 18-play, 99-yard drive and capped it off with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Britt on fourth down on the game's final play for the win.
Date:September 24, 2000
Titans 23, Steelers 20
What happened: Steve McNair wasn't supposed to play in this one after suffering a sternum injury the previous week. When Neil O'Donnell was knocked out late, McNair was called on to save the day. With the Titans down 20-16, McNair came off the bench and completed three straight passes, including the game-winning 18-yard toss to tight end Erron Kinney with 1:25 left, to win in in dramatic fashion.
**
Date: December 21, 2003 **Titans, 27, Texans 24 What happened: The Titans fell behind 24-20 with just 1:48 left. Then McNair stepped in and drove the Titans 75 yards down the field on eight plays, capping it off with a 23-yard touchdown pass to receiver Drew Bennett with just 17 seconds left. Everyone remembers Bennett hushing the crowd in Houston that day.
Date:September 18, 2016
Titans 16, Lions 15
What happened: With the game on the line, Marcus Mariota didn't flinch. Trailing 15-10, the Titans took over at their own 17-yard line with 7:04 left. Mariota drove the Titans 83 yards on 13 plays – in 5:51 – and tossed a nine-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Andre Johnson on fourth down as the Titans pulled it out.
**
Date: September 22, 2013 **Titans 20, Chargers 17 What happened: The Titans trailed 17-13 with the ball at their own six-yard line with just 2:05 left. Quarterback Jake Locker engineered a 10-play, 94-yard drive in just 1:50 and capped it off with a 34-yard touchdown pass to receiver Justin Hunter with 15 seconds left to win it.
Date:November 24, 2013
Titans 23, Raiders 19
What happened: Things weren't looking good for the Titans late in the Black Hole. Then quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick guided a 14-play, 80-yard drive in crunch time. He capped it off with a 10-yard touchdown pass to receiver Kendall Wright on third down with just 10 seconds remaining, and the Titans pulled it out.
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Date: October 21, 2012 **Titans 35, Bills 34 What happened: The Titans and Bills staged a shootout at Ralph Wilson Stadium, and the Titans fired the last shot – just in time. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck connected with receiver Nate Washington on a 15-yard touchdown pass on fourth down with just 1:03 left and the Titans pulled it out. It capped off a seven-play, 52-yard drive in 1:54.
Date:November 8, 2015
Titans 34, Saints 28
What happened: The Titans rallied to tie the game in the fourth quarter. After winning the toss to start overtime, quarterback Marcus Mariota engineered a nine-play, 80-yard drive and capped it off with a beautifully designed five-yard touchdown pass to tight end Anthony Fasano to win it.
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Date: December 10, 2006 **Titans 26, Texans 20 What happened: Vince Young returned to his hometown, and delivered a dagger in overtime. On the first possession in overtime, Young engineered a five-play, 57-yard drive and ended it on a walk-off 39-yard touchdown run just 3:46 into overtime. It set off a wild celebration on the field and in the stands in Houston.
Date:October 5, 2008
Titans 13, Ravens 10
What happened: The Titans entered the fourth quarter trailing 10-3 before staging a memorable rally. Then came the fantastic finish. The Titans took over at their 20-yard line with 6:07 left. Quarterback Kerry Collins stepped into the huddle and guided the team 80 yards downfield in 11 plays and 4:11, capping it off with an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Alge Crumpler for the game-winner with just 1:56 left.
