The Tennessee Titans went to 2-0 on the season after ruining the Bengals’ home opener, defeating Cincinnati 24-7.
• Tennessee is 2-0 for the first time since 1999, its first season with the Titans nickname. It went 13-3 that year and advanced to the Super Bowl.
• Rookie Chris Johnson of the Titans had his first 100-yard game, going for 109 yards on 19 carries.
• Carson Palmer struggled for the second straight week, throwing for 134 yards with two interceptions. He has yet to throw a TD pass this season.
It’s early, but Johnson is a serious Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate. He runs hard between the tackles and obviously has a ton of speed once he gets into the open field. And although his overall numbers weren’t dazzling, Kerry Collins (14 for 21, 128 yards, 1 TD) was efficient in the passing game and didn’t make mistakes. (Unlike Vince Young, who often struggles in the passing game and doesn’t secure the ball well enough.)
It’s amazing to watch the demise of Cincinnati’s offense. Baltimore and Tennessee have outstanding defenses, but Palmer looks brutal. And although he scored a touchdown, Chris Perry struggled for the second straight week, fumbling twice. I said it last week and I’ll say it again, Rudi Johnson was the backbone of the Bengals’ offense when they made the playoffs a few years ago.
