Titans remain NFL's lone unbeaten despite overtime

[November 03, 2008]  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Tennessee Titans remained perfect -- even if they needed a little extra time to stay that way.

Rob Bironas got a second chance at redemption in overtime, kicking a 41-yard field goal with 9:36 to go that kept the Titans the NFL's last unbeaten team with a 19-16 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Bironas had a chance to win in regulation but banged a 47-yarder off the upright, prompting the All-Pro to yank his facemask down in anger at himself.

But the Titans (8-0) won the toss and drove 55 yards in 10 plays to give Bironas another chance. Going out on third-and-2, he swung through his fourth field goal that started the celebration as the Titans matched a franchise record by winning their 11th straight regular-season game.

The Packers (4-4), who showed some early rust coming off their bye, tied it at 16 on Mason Crosby's third field goal, a 38-yarder, with 5:30 left. Aaron Rodgers, fresh with his new contract extension, had plenty of time to end the Titans' winning streak as Tennessee went three-and-out for the fourth time.

Green Bay got to the Tennessee 45, but the Titans forced Green Bay to punt the ball away with 1:49 left. The Packers never got it back even as they downed the ball at the Tennessee 8.

Kerry Collins drove the Titans downfield by going 4-of-5 for 48 yards, and coach Jeff Fisher ran the clock down to 4 seconds in setting up Bironas for the chance to win in regulation.

After Tennessee won the toss, rookie Chris Johnson took over. He caught a 16-yarder on third-and-6, then ran 14 yards for another first down. He finished with 89 yards on 24 carries and six receptions for 72 yards more. He also scored the Titans' only TD.

Green Bay outgained Tennessee 390-347 in total offense. The Packers also brought in a defense leading the NFL with 13 interceptions, but it was the Titans who made the big defensive plays in sacking Rodgers four times and forcing two turnovers, including Chris Hope's interception in the end zone.

They also stopped the Packers twice on downs in the first half and twice when Green Bay had the ball at the Tennessee 12 or closer before settling for field goals by Crosby.

The Packers did hold the Titans to field goals on their opening two drives for a 6-0 lead.

Rodgers put Green Bay up 10-6 in the second quarter when he took advantage of an injured Titans defense. Tennessee was missing end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who started but went to the sideline in the second quarter and never returned, and linebacker Keith Bulluck went to the locker room with an injury on that series. Rodgers found Donald Driver on a 5-yard TD pass.

Tennessee had other chances to pad its lead but failed to score on third-and-goal from the Packers 4 when linebacker Brandon Chillar ran into tight end Bo Scaife with no flag thrown. Bironas kicked his third field goal of the day, a 22-yarder, for a 16-10 lead with 4:11 left in the third.

[Associated Press; By TERESA M. WALKER]

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