Nashville, TN (Sports Network) – Chris Johnson picked up where he left off in Tennessee’s season-opener, rushing for 142 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries while leading the Titans to a thorough 38-13 trouncing of the Oakland Raiders at LP Field.
Johnson, last year’s rushing champion with an eye-popping 2,006 yards, has gained at least 100 yards on the ground in 13 consecutive games dating back to last year, the second-longest stretch in NFL history behind Barry Sanders’ 14.
Vince Young shook off an early lost fumble and ended with 154 yards and two touchdowns on 13-of-17 efficiency for Tennessee (1-0), which did not win its first game last season until Week 8 when Young came off the bench to guide the club to an 8-2 finish for a respectable .500 campaign.
Jason Campbell wasn’t an immediate difference-maker in his Raiders debut, completing 22-of-37 passes for 180 yards to go with a touchdown, interception and lost fumble. Darren McFadden amassed 150 total yards and caught a TD for Oakland (0-1), which is trying to improve on last year’s 5-11 mark.
Oakland recovered a Young fumble early on, and a pair of Titans penalties after the change of possession allowed Sebastian Janikowski to boot a 34-yard field goal at the 6:17 mark of the first quarter.
Young quickly atoned for his turnover less than two minutes later, hitting Nate Washington in stride for a 56-yard bomb for a 7-3 lead.
Tennessee appeared to score again near the three-minute mark by returning a Campbell fumble the other way for a TD, but replay overturned the call as it revealed Michael Griffin was down by contact at the Oakland 23.
The Titans converted the turnover into a 43-yard Rob Bironas field goal, and their defense continued to keep Oakland on its side of the field through the early stages of the second stanza.
Second-year running back Javon Ringer capped an eight-play, 61-yard Tennessee drive with 3:45 left in the half on his first career touchdown, a 15-yard draw up the middle.
On the next Titans play from scrimmage, Johnson took an inside handoff, shifted through the line and saw daylight en route to a 76-yard scamper while high-stepping over the goal line.
The score came with under two minutes left, and the Raiders were able to drive down the field and get a 30-yard Janikowski field goal for a 24-6 game at halftime.
On its first possession of the second half, Oakland moved the ball to the Tennessee 35. After gaining no yards over three plays, Janikowski was wide right on a 53-yard try at the seven-minute mark.
The Titans didn’t hesitate to extend their lead, converting a trio of third down tries before Johnson went over the left-side for a four-yard score and a commanding 31-7 cushion with under two minutes to play in the third.
Campbell then threw behind his intended receiver, and Chris Hope was there for the pick, returning it to the Oakland three. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Young hit Bo Scaife for a one-yard TD pass off a play-action fake.
McFadden’s seven-yard TD reception from Campbell came with just under 10 minutes left in the game.
This game marked 50 years and a day after the then-Houston Oilers defeated the Raiders 37-22 during the American Football League’s inaugural weekend…The Raiders have lost eight straight season openers…McFadden gained 95 yards on 18 carries to go with team-highs of six receptions for 55 yards…Young and Campbell added 30 and 34 rushing yards, respectively…Washington ended with 88 yards on three receptions.