Nashville, TN – Darius Reynaud returned two punts for touchdowns, linebacker Zach Brown brought back two interceptions for scores and the Tennessee Titans closed out the regular season with a 38-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at LP Field.
Tennessee (6-10) became the first team in NFL history to return two punts and two interceptions for scores in the same game.
Because of the exploits of the Titans' defense and special teams units, the Jake Locker-led offense observed a large portion of the game from the sidelines. He was 9-of-15 for 152 yards, while Chris Johnson opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run.
Tennessee finished with only 12 first downs and was outgained 375-221 by the Jaguars.
"It was awesome to be able to watch your teammates out there making plays and turning it into points," Locker said.
Jacksonville quarterback Chad Henne completed 25-of-41 passes for 298 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
The Jaguars ended the season at 2-14, the worst mark in franchise history.
Tennessee's team-record four return touchdowns completely swung the game's momentum.
The Jaguars were looking to expand on their 14-7 lead late in the second quarter, but the Titans scored two touchdowns in a 1:15 span.
On 2nd-and-5 from the Tennessee 25, Brown stepped in front of a pass intended for Marcedes Lewis and raced 79 yards to the end zone to tie the game with 1:48 remaining in the half.
The Jaguars were then forced to punt, and Reynaud's 69-yard return put the Titans on top. Reynaud made his way to the end zone again on an 81-yard dash after Jacksonville went three-and-out to open the second half, giving Tennessee a 28-14 lead.
Fifty-one seconds later, Brown hauled in a deflected ball and scored on a 30- yard return to put the game out of reach.
"We had total control, we were moving the ball," Henne said.
Rob Bironas tacked on a 48-yard field goal for the Titans in the fourth quarter before Jacksonville's Mike Harris capped the scoring by returning a blocked punt 19 yards for a touchdown.
Henne threw touchdown passes on each of Jacksonville's first two drives to erase an early 7-0 deficit, the first coming to Jordan Shipley from five yards out with 5:40 left in the first quarter.
On the first play of the second quarter, Justin Blackmon made a grab, broke two tackles and raced 30 yards for the go-ahead score.
Game Notes
The Titans have won four of their last five at home against the Jaguars ... Johnson had 56 yards on 21 carries and reached 1,200 yards for the fourth time in his career ... Tennessee avoided going winless against the AFC South, finishing with a 1-5 mark in division play ... Keith Toston gained 74 yards on the ground on 17 carries for Jacksonville.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.