Random Ramblings

Time for a change of pace from the first two live blogs. This time the NFL has a Christmas present for us and it’s in the form of leading rusher Chris Johnson.

The Titans will try to keep their playoff hopes alive versus the high powered offense of Phillip Rivers and the Chargers.

If you missed the first two Live Blogs check them out: Celtics-Magic, Cavs-Lakers

Chargers at Titans, 7:30 p.m., NFL on NFL Network

7:56- With a little over 10 minutes gone in the first quarter the Titans have an early 3-0 lead.

8:05- The Chargers take the lead on a LT TD  and it’s 7-3 with a minute left in the first quarter. Impressive drive from Phillip Rivers right there.

8:15- CJ converts a key fourth down, but it’s all for not as Vince Young throws a pick on the next play. The Chargers will take over at their own 24 yard line.

8:18- The Titans need to win this game to have any hope of making the playoffs, but considering this is the same team that started the year 0-6 it’s amazing they’re even still in the hunt.

8:20- The Chargers are driving again on the shoulders of Rivers and their Pro Bowl caliber receiver Vincent Jackson.

8:23- Jacob Ford comes up with a big sack to make it 2nd and 15 for San Diego. However, on the next play Rivers throws a TD to Antonio Gates to give the Chargers a 14-3 lead.

It looked as if Rivers was past the line of scrimmage on the throw making it an illegal forward pass. Titans head coach Jeff Fisher just threw the challenge flag and this one is going to be under review.

8:27- By rule, if the QB’s entire body is not past the line then it’s a legal pass. The Titans lose the review and the Chargers lead 14-3 on the 36 yard TD pass to Gates.

A confusing rule to say the least.

8:34- Young just turned it over again. This time he coughs it up on a scramble up the middle. The Chargers will take over at midfield with an 11 point lead. The Titans defense is going to have to step up.

8:37- Rivers airs it out from midfield and hits Floyd for a 50 yard TD, but the left tackle McNiell is called for holding so, bring it back.

As an ex-tackle myself I can tell you that’s a play when you get really get frustrated with yourself. When I screwed up a big play I’d always feel like the ultimate smuck.

Next play though McNiell can breath easy as a personal foul takes away the long yardage. The Titans are making a lot of mistakes early in this game. Hopefully they can right the ship, otherwise this could get out of hands early.

8:42- San Diego’s O-Line has been a little shaky early on with holding and false start penalties, but Rivers keeps bailing them out with big plays down field. The Chargers are in the red zone again trying to make it 3 trips, 3 TDs.

8:45- Rivers hits Spoales to make it 21-3 and the Chargers are running away with this one.

8:46- If the Charger rap up the No. 2 seed tonight (and it looks like they will) that leaves the Pats at No. 3,  the Bengals at No. 4, the Ravens at No. 5, the Broncos at No. 6 and the Jags, Dolphins, Jets and Steelers with an outside shot of sneaking in. I wrote all that out to prove a point.

People said at the begining of the year that NFL parody was gone. Well, if I’m not mistake three of those six teams didn’t make the playoffs last year. Parody still exists. Trust me.

8:53- The Titans are trying to score before the half to give them a chance at coming back and the Chargers defense is cooperating so far.

If they do lose though can we all make the agreement that they should just run the option offense in the last week. Why not try and see if it could work? They have the fastest QB (other than Vick) and fastest player! Why wouldn’t this work?!? And if it didn’t wouldn’t it be extremely entertaining?

9 p.m.- Speaking of option, they just ran it… for a 3 yard gain… maybe I spoke too soon… and a matter of fact I’d hate to see CJ get a terrible injury when a linebacker sees the option coming and plants him 6-feet under. How bout this?

Next season everytime the Titans play a terrible rush defense with old slow linebackers they run the option? That could work right? I know I’m grasping at straws.

Anyway, the Titans stay in the game with a nicely executed drive by Young and score before the half. Young scrambled and threw and basically B.S.ed his way to a TD. Greaaaat job! Score at half, 21-10 Chargers. Titans get the ball in the third. Stay tuned.

Halftime breakdown:

CJ is leading the Titans offense with 66 yards on the ground and 37 recieving yards. He should win the offensive player of the year, right?

Phillip Rivers is the story for the Chargers. He’s racked up 145 yards and 2 TDs through the air. LT has 49 yards and TD on the ground as well.

9:21- Tennessee’s offense sputters to start the third and their D is going to have to step up if they want any chance at making this a game.

9:24- Rivers is just marching down the field at will. The Titans defense is playing like they did in those first six games. It is one of the best teams in the league, but I was hoping they would put up more a fight than this.

LT caps off the drive with a one-yard plung for his second TD of the night. The Chargers now lead 28-10.

9:36- Rivers hits Jackson on the sideline for 20 yard reception, but Jackson is rules out of bounds even though it looks as if he got both feet down.

Charger head coach Norv Turner just threw the challenge flag and this one is under review. It is overturned. Good job by the Chargers coaching staff to recognize it was a catch.

9:43- Even though the Chargers are up 17 Rivers is flinging it right now and Sproales just walked in to the endzone to make it 35-10. That’s pretty much all she wrote on this one.

9:50- Young gets picked for the 2nd time on the night and the Chargers offense will take over. The Chargers will rap up the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and will likely be able to rest their starters in the last week of the season.

10:03- The lone bright spot in this loss for the Titans has to be Chris Johnson. With his 100 yard performance tonight he’s rushed for 100 yards in 10 straight games. It’s the third longest streak in NFL history and CJ still has an outside shot of rushing for 2000 next week. And considering he’s facing a very weak Seahawks run defense anything is possible.

10:14- Right on que CJ busts free for a 30 yard TD and the Titans cut the lead to 42-17. One of the more exciting plays of the game.

After the play Chargers cornerback Antonio-Rogers Cromartie ran over congratulated CJ. Nice to see. It seems as though Chris Johnson isn’t just a great running back, but a well respected and liked player even by his rivals.

10:27- Final from Tennesee, 42-17 Chargers. Happy Holidays… and I’m out.