If you’ll just give me a second, I need to take a deep breath and lower my heart rate a bit. Yes, I realize the Titans/Cardinals game was two days ago. No, I haven’t calmed down yet. I’ll admit I was a bit nervous about Tennessee’s chances versus Arizona. They were NFC Champs last year (not to mention the valiant fight they gave the Steelers in the Super Bowl) and have a commanding lead over their (admittedly weak) division. They have crazy talent at wide-out. But most importantly, they want to prove last year wasn’t a fluke. The Titans were facing the toughest roadblock on their win streak. I thought that another killer performance from Chris Johnson, or maybe even a pick-six, would help Tennessee become the first team to start a season 0-6 and then win FIVE games in a row. NEVER in a MILLION YEARS would I expect the Titans to beat the Cardinals on the strength, accuracy and confidence of Vince Young’s pocket passing.

Hit it: Is it even a question? VINCE YOUNG, BABY!! Let’s just think about this for a moment – Tennessee’s down by 4. They need a touchdown in the last two minutes of the game. The defense stops Matt Leinart and forces the Cards to punt. They have another shot! But wait! Arizona downs the punt at the ONE YARD LINE. If we do the math, that means Vince Young has to lead the offense 99 yards for a win. To put it (very) mildly, I was apprehensive. There was no way V.Y. could do this. He can scramble, sure. He’s even been making some solid completions throughout the game. But 99 yards? I was conceding the game (and the glorious win streak) in my mind.

As the drive continued, I would gain confidence – 6 yards to Kenny Britt? Wonderful! But then, two incompletions and they’re at fourth down. In a word – yikes. But as I was shutting my laptop to grieve, Vince Young gets a first down with a 10 yard strike to Britt. Could they really have a chance? I kept refreshing like a madwoman. The waves of “YES! WE’RE GOING TO WIN!” and “NO NO NO! IT’S ALL OVER!” may not have been great for my sanity, but Vince just wouldn’t quit. Every time he’d throw an incompletion, he’d get right back in the pocket and move the chains. My heart was doing all sorts of jumping jacks by the time first and goal rolled around. After seeing what V.Y. could do, I wasn’t nervous anymore. I had the utmost confidence in my quarterback’s arm (quite an abnormal sensation for a Titans fan of late). First down, no. Second down, sack (and ensuing string of expletives). Third down, still no. But fourth down, beautiful, wonderful fourth down, sealed the game. Vince Young to Kenny Britt. TOUCHDOWN!!

With this game, especially with the last drive, Vince Young has entered a new phase of his career. He’s no longer the novelty QB who can gain rush yards but can’t complete a clutch throw. Instead of being compared to Michael Vick in his prime, V.Y. can stand with pocket passers who pull out epic, memorable and important wins. He has proven his leadership abilities, but more importantly, he’s made me feel comfortable wearing my #10 jersey once again. Oh, and he also threw for 387 yards in the game (second-most yards this week – ahead of big dogs like Drew Brees and Peyton Manning). Sorry I doubted you, Vince. You can sell me processed meat any day.

Quit it: Kickoff protection! Most of me is loving the number 99 right now, but the 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Arizona’s LaRod Stephens-Howling was unfortunate. Right after a big TD run by Chris Johnson, Stephens-Howling picks apart our kickoff coverage to score. I can’t be too upset considering the Titans haven’t given up a kickoff return touchdown since 1999 – but still. It was a deflation in momentum and could have been the difference in the game. Let’s wait another 10 years before we allow another one, okay special teams?

Hit it: KENNY BRITT!! I could have just lumped his performance in with V.Y.’s, but such a stellar game deserves its own Hit it! In this game, Kenny Britt became exactly what the Titans have needed for years – a face in the wide receiver crowd. Not to take anything away from the great catches from established WRs Nate Washington and Justin Gage, newer guys like Lavelle Hawkins or tight ends Bo Scaife and rookie Jared Cook, but Britt was the star. Even if we can ignore the magnificent catch in the end zone – to win the game – as time expired – on a fourth down, he still had a monster day. Seven catches for 128 yards, including three grabs to convert fourth downs is not just respectable for a rookie – it’s respectable for any receiver in the league. He showed great maturity after his fumble late in the fourth quarter by coming back on the field and helping the Titans score an improbable TD. Superstar in the making? I don’t know yet. It can’t hurt having a revitalized Vince Young behind center. I hope Kenny can keep this level of play – it would be great to have a dominant guy downfield.

Quit it: Offensive line! This is actually only a mini-Quit it! They did a good job blocking for Chris Johnson and allowing him to get some big runs. They did an EXCELLENT job keeping the pocket intact for V.Y. on the last drive (minus one play). But they gave up four sacks – three to the same player. Keep the sacks down to a minimum and Vince will have even more confidence in passing over scrambling.

Hit it: Chris Johnson! Usually I’d include C.J. here for his outstanding numbers (no surprise here – he had 154 yards rushing and an 85 yard TD run) or the fact that yet again he has broken some rushing record (this week, he joined Earl Campbell and Eric Dickerson as the third back to rush for 125+ yards in six straight games – he also passed Barry Sanders for having the most rushing yards in the month of November). This week, though, I’d like to hit the fact that Chris didn’t touch the ball once in the game-winning drive, yet was just as big a part of the win. He blocked for Vince and gave him an opportunity to make big throws and was right there celebrating each play he wasn’t involved in. I never doubted that C.J. was an excellent team player, but it’s nice to see his teamwork in action.