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Titans clinging to playoff hopes

Dec 23, 2007 - 11:23 AM NY Jets (3-11) at Tennessee (8-6) 4:15 pm EST

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- While the Tennessee Titans have no control over their playoff destiny, they need to win out to keep their faint hopes alive.

The Titans look to stay in the playoff mix when they host the New York Jets on Sunday.

Even if Tennessee beats New York, it can be eliminated from postseason contention this weekend if the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars all are victorious.

The Titans staved off elimination with a gritty 26-17 comeback victory against the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend, twice erasing four-point leads in the second half.

Vince Young tossed a 41-yard touchdown pass to Roydell Williams late in the third quarter to put Tennessee ahead for good and Rob Bironas kicked a pair of fourth-quarter field goals to seal it.

The Titans recorded their first win at Arrowhead Stadium since a 27-10 victory in 1990, when the franchise was located in Houston.

"We were happy to get away with a win," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "We had to fill some holes and patch some things together because we had some injuries. But we made some plays and made some kicks and we found a way to win."

Young completed 16-of-26 passes for 191 yards as Tennessee scored at least 26 points for the first time since notching 28 against Houston on October 21.

Running back LenDale White rushed for 93 yards on 24 carries and needs 40 against the Jets to reach 1,000 for the season.

New York had its second straight solid performance - albeit both were losses - in falling to the undefeated New England Patriots, 20-10.

The Jets got within 17-10 with just over six minutes to play before the Patriots added a late field goal.

Chad Pennington relieved an injured Kellen Clemens and finished 25-of-38 for 186 yards.

"We're not into moral victories, that's for sure," Pennington said.

Clemens suffered an injury to his rib cage when he was hit while throwing an interception in the first quarter.

Jets coach Eric Mangini on Monday said it was too early to determine Clemens' status for the Titans' game and would not commit to his second-year quarterback even if he is healthy.