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Sports

Titans outclass the Raiders in season opener

By Reuters
Published | Updated

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - The Tennessee Titans, with quarterback Vince Young letting loose their much vaunted offense almost at will, crushed the Oakland Raiders 38-13 in their opening game of the NFL season on Sunday.

Young completed 13 of 17 pass attempts for 154 yards and two touchdowns while explosive running back Chris Johnson completed his 12th consecutive game with at least 100 rushing yards as a woeful Raiders defense was totally outclassed.

Superb blocking by the Titans gave their offense plenty of space and the dreadlocked Johnson, who set himself the goal of a 2,500-yard rushing mark for the season, took full advantage by finding the end zone in each half.

Under blue skies at LP Field, Johnson ran for 142 yards and now trails only Barry Sanders, who had an NFL-best 14 straight games at least 100 rushing yards.

Much had been expected by the Raiders after the arrival of quarterback Jason Campbell, acquired from the Washington Redskins during the preseason, but he succumbed to continual pressure, being sacked four times and fumbling twice.

Oakland scored first with a 34-yard Sebastian Janikowski field goal but the Titans were in total control and launched an unanswered 24-point run when Young connected with wide receiver Nate Washington for a 56-yard touchdown.

Rob Bironas added a field goal from 43 yards and early in the second quarter running back Javon Ringer took advantage of a big gap in the Raiders defense for a 15-yard touchdown, the first of his NFL career.

Johnson provide the game's most electrifying moment when he shook off an Oakland defender and ran virtually untouched for a 76-yard touchdown. Bironas added the extra point to give the Titans a 24-6 lead at halftime.

Johnson and tight end Bo Scaife added another touchdown each for the Titans in the second half before the Raiders found the end zone for the first time in the game during the fourth quarter.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue)