George Wilson sat motionless on his locker room stool after Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans. The dejected look on his face said it all.
Wilson was one of several Buffalo Bills who had a chance to put away Sunday’s game late in the fourth quarter against the Titans. But he let a potential interception slip through his hands, allowing the Titans (3-4) to come away with a wild 35-34 victory.
“I personally feel like it’s on me,” Wilson said. “I had an opportunity to get an interception and I didn’t come up with the ball, which would have sealed the victory.”
Two plays after Wilson’s miss, Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck connected with WR Nate Washington on a 15-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-9 play from the Bills' 15. Tennessee has now won its last two games behind the veteran QB after a 1-4 start.
The Titans were powered on offense by embattled RB Chris Johnson, who probably wishes he could play the Bills (3-4) every week. One year after gashing the Bills for 153 yards and two TDs in a Tennessee win, Johnson ran for 195 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries (10.8 yards per carry). He had an 83-yard burst for a score in the first quarter.
Buffalo’s defense, which was last in the league against the run heading into the game, had no answer for the speedy RB, and the Bills now head into their bye at 3-4.
When the game turned: This game was back and forth until late in the fourth quarter. With just under four minutes remaining, the Bills received the ball at their own 36. On a third-and-7, Ryan Fitzpatrick tossed an interception to Jason McCourty at midfield, which Fitzpatrick afterward called a dumb throw. The Titans took over at their own 48. Seven plays later, they took the lead for good.
Highlight moments: This game had no shortage of highlights, and the two best came on back-to-back plays late in the first quarter. The Titans began their second drive of the game at their own 17, and it took Johnson one play to make it 14-7 with an explosive 83-yard burst. Bills LB Nick Barnett was snuffed out by Titans FB Quinn Johnson to create a giant hole, and the remaining Bills defenders had no chance. Bills KR Brad Smith saw Johnson’s score and raised him a kick return for a TD. Smith took the ensuing kickoff 89 yards down the left sideline to tie the score at 14 just seconds later. Hasselbeck’s game-winning touchdown throw, of course, also deserves a mention here.
Top-shelf performances:
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RB Chris Johnson -- 18 rushes for 195 yards, 2 TDs, 10.8 average.
- Hasselbeck -- 22 of 33 for 205 yards, 1 TD, no INTs.
What they said about Chris Johnson and Tennessee’s running game:
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Titans coach Mike Munchak -- “It was just good seeing him and seeing his feet, and everyone maybe now can see that he still can run pretty fast.”
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Bills coach Chan Gailey -- “We would stuff them, stuff them, and then they would hit a big one. That’s the way it felt ... we just let them have some creases that you cannot let a team like that have with a back like they have.”
- RB Chris Johnson -- “I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad game vs. them, but it seems like my offensive line, they come through when we come here.”
Numbers you should know: Johnson had a whopping 10.8 yards per carry against the Bills. The Titans were also terrific on third down, converting 9 of 14 attempts.
Injury update: Bills -- RG Chad Rinehart was carted off the field with an ankle injury in the third quarter. He was replaced by backup OT Sam Young. After the bye, usual starter Kraig Urbik should be ready to return in Week 9. Titans -- LB Zac Diles was carted off with an ankle injury.
Going forward: Bills -- The Bills needed a win in this one with a brutal two-week stretch coming up after their Week 8 bye. Buffalo will head to Houston in Week 9 and New England in Week 10. After those games, however, the schedule lightens up. Titans -- The Titans have a winnable game at home against Indianapolis in Week 8 before facing Chicago in Week 9.
For more updates on the Bills, follow correspondent Mark Ludwiczak on Twitter @CBSBills and @MarkLud12.