Titans deny Jaguars first win, end comeback bid

NASHVILLE - It wasn't pretty, but the Titans walked out of LP Field with a 16-14 win over the Jaguars on Sunday after blocking a field-goal attempt with 12 seconds to play.

The victory snapped a four-game losing streak. It was their first win since the season opener at Kansas City.

"Ultimately we made enough plays to win today and that's what it's about ... it's what we needed," coach Ken Whisenhunt said.

The Titans (2-4) fell behind 7-0 right away, as the Jaguars drove 80 yards on the opening series of the game for Storm Johnson's one-yard touchdown.

After sputtering early, the Titans got a 25-yard field goal from Ryan Succop to make it 7-3 late in the first quarter. Then at the end of the first half, they took the lead on Jackie Battle's one-yard touchdown run.

It capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive that included big catches from tight end Delanie Walker and wide receivers Nate Washington and Justin Hunter.

The Titans made it 13-7 in the third quarter on Succop's 21-yard field goal.

The defense made some big plays along the way to help.

With the Jaguars driving late in the third quarter, much maligned cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson intercepted a Blake Bortles pass at the Tennessee 16 and returned it to midfield. It set up another field goal from Succop, this one from 42 yards, to give the Titans a 16-7 lead.

Cornerback Jason McCourty later caused a fumbled that linebacker Avery Williamson recovered, and it seemed to seal the victory.

But the Jaguars managed to drive 83 yards for a touchdown with 43 seconds to play to make it 16-14. They then recovered the onside kick and drove into field goal range before Titans defensive lineman Sammie Hill blocked Josh Scobee's 55-yard attempt with 12 seconds remaining.

"I'm just glad we made a play at the end to win the game," Whisenhunt said.

The Titans played without multiple starters.

Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst got his second start of the season in place of Jake Locker, who sat out with a thumb injury. Whitehurst finished 17-of-28 passing for 233 yards.

"Charlie managed the offense and did a nice job," Whisenhunt said.

Running back Shonn Greene, cornerback Coty Sensabaugh and tight end Craig Stevens also missed because of injuries. Earlier in the week, the Titans placed tackle Michael Roos and safety Bernard Pollard on injured reserve.

Rookie running back Bishop Sankey, seeing his most extensive action of the season, led the Titans in rushing with 61 yards on 18 carries.

Dexter McCluster led the Titans in receptions with six, while Hunter and Walker had three apiece.

The Titans return to the road next Sunday to play the Redskins.

Wyatt also writes for The Tennessean in Nashville.