NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans came out frustrated over how they opened the season and more than a bit desperate. They took it all out on the Baltimore Ravens, showing off a passing game with new quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.
Hasselbeck threw for 358 yards and a touchdown, and the Titans gave new coach Mike Munchak a big win in their home opener by beating the Ravens 26-13 on Sunday.
Munchak called the victory a great recovery after a 16-14 loss at Jacksonville.
“We knew we couldn’t be 0-2,” Munchak said after getting a Ga-torade bath in the final seconds and a game ball from owner Bud Adams in the locker room. “You can’t start a season 0-2. … We’ve been talking about winning at home since the first day I took the job.”
With the Ravens focused on stopping running back Chris Johnson, Hasselbeck attacked through the air. Kenny Britt caught nine passes for 135 yards and a TD, and Nate Washington had seven receptions for 99 yards. Rob Bironas kicked four field goals as Tennessee (1-1) held the ball for more than 35 minutes and outgained Baltimore 432-229 in total offense.
Johnson had 24 carries for 53 yards, and he couldn’t be happier at how well his teammates performed.
“A lot of teams come in thinking they can just load the box and if they stop me, they can win. … It just showed we have other playmakers,” he said. “Hopefully, they help out and let other teams around the NFL know you just can’t stack the box and try to stop me and win.”
Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said the Ravens did load the box at times.
“Hasselbeck did a nice job of controlling the game as far as recognizing what we were in and getting them in the right play,” he said. “To me, that’s what a veteran quarterback does.”
The Titans also showed off their revamped defense.
They sacked Joe Flacco three times and hit him repeatedly while forcing three turnovers, including two interceptions.
The Ravens (1-1), who looked so dominant in routing Pittsburgh 35-7 in their opener, forced only one turnover.
