Collins, Titans rally, earn playoff berth
Kerry Collins spent most of the season waiting for a chance to prove he could still play.
On Sunday night, with a playoff spot at stake, Tennessee's backup quarterback delivered the biggest win of the season.
He led the Titans to three second-half field goals, including a 54-yarder from Rob Bironas to retake the lead in a 16-10 victory in Indianapolis that left Tennessee celebrating and Cleveland grimacing. The Titans visit San Diego next Sunday.
The Titans (10-6) had to win to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003. A loss would have given Cleveland its first playoff berth since 2002.
And when Peyton Manning left after two series, things looked good for the Titans.
Instead, the offense bogged down after a touchdown drive on the game's opening series. When Vince Young left in the third quarter with a right quadriceps injury, Tennessee appeared to be in trouble.
Collins replaced Young in the middle of a 13-play, 56-yard drive that ended with Bironas' tying 40-yard field goal late in the third quarter.
"That's life as a backup. You never know when you'll go in," Collins said. "I hope Vince is all right."
He moved the Titans 58 yards in 12 plays, setting up Bironas for the go-ahead field goal. Like last December, when Bironas hit a 60-yarder to beat Indy in Nashville, Bironas curled the 54-yarder inside the right goal post for a 13-10 lead. He finally sealed the win with a 33-yarder with 2:56 to go.
It was enough to end Indy's 10-game home winning streak against AFC South foes, although it came primarily against Colts backups.
Coach Tony Dungy used the game as a tuneup for Indy's playoff opener Jan. 13, benching most of his offensive starters after two series and his defensive starters in the second half.
But Manning and Reggie Wayne played just long enough to reach their milestones.
Manning entered the game needing 55 yards to extend his NFL record of most 4,000-yard seasons to eight. That took one series.
Pro Bowl receiver Wayne needed eight catches to become the second Colt with 100 receptions in a season. That took two series. Wayne also needed 71 yards to pass Randy Moss for the league title in yards receiving. He did that on Indy's third series.
Browns 20, Niners 7: Joshua Cribbs returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown, Jamal Lewis rushed for 128 yards, and rookie quarterback Brady Quinn made his long-awaited NFL debut as host Cleveland (10-6) beat San Francisco (5-11). Cleveland's 10 wins are the most since its expansion rebirth. The Browns last posted double-digit wins in 1994 (11).
Falcons 44, Seahawks 41: Chris Redman set a career high with 4 touchdown passes, including 2 to Alge Crumpler, and host Atlanta (4-12) rode 3 fourth-quarter touchdowns to beat Seattle (10-6). The Falcons ended a six-game losing streak.
Texans 42, Jaguars 28: Andre' Davis returned 2 kickoffs for touchdows, leading host Houston (8-8) over Jacksonville (11-5), which rested many starters with its playoff spot secure. The Texans' 42 points are a team record.
Panthers 31, Bucs 23: DeAngelo Williams rushed for 121 yards and 2 second-half touchdowns, lifting Carolina (7-9) over host Tampa Bay (9-7), with the Panthers' retiring 44-year-old quarterback Vinny Testaverde taking the last snap in the same city where he began his NFL career in 1987.
Bengals 38, Dolphins 25: Miami (1-15) allowed 316 yards passing by Carson Palmer, gave up a touchdown on a fumble return and staggered to the end of the worst season in franchise history, losing to visiting Cincinnati (7-9). The Dolphins became the eighth team to finish 1-15.
Eagles 17, Bills 9: Brian Westbrook set Philadelphia records for catches in a season (89) and total yards from scrimmage (2,104), putting the finishing touches on a Pro Bowl season as the host Eagles (8-8) beat Buffalo (7-9). The Bills missed the playoffs for an eighth straight year, establishing the longest drought in franchise history.
Chargers 30, Raiders 17: LaDainian Tomlinson ran for 56 yards to win his second straight rushing title, Philip Rivers threw 2 touchdown passes, and San Diego (11-5) beat Oakland (4-12) to spoil JaMarcus Russell's first career start. By ending the season with 6 straight wins, the Chargers beat out Pittsburgh for the No. 3 seed.
Ravens 27, Steelers 21: Musa Smith ran for 83 yards and a touchdown in his first NFL start, helping Baltimore (5-11) earn its first victory since Oct. 14 and end a nine-game losing streak with a win over Pittsburgh (10-6). The Steelers will open the playoffs Saturday night against Jacksonville.
Jets 13, Chiefs 10, OT: Mike Nugent kicked a 43-yard field goal, after having a 33-yarder negated by a penalty, 5:13 into overtime, lifting host New York (4-12) past Kansas City (4-12).
Cardinals 48, Rams 19: Larry Fitzgerald caught 11 passes for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Arizona (8-8) beat St. Louis (3-13).