Faced with a halftime deficit and the possibility of being eliminated from postseason contention, Vince Young rallied the troops and performed adequately as the Titans outscored the Chiefs 16-3 in the second half of yesterdays 26-17 victory.
Young ended the day with a stellar third/fourth quarter performance, completing 7/9 passes for 104 yards in the second half. His lone second half touchdown pass was a beautiful pump fake pass to Roydell Williams that totally bamboozled the Kansas City defense. Yesterdays performance was also Youngs best of the year in terms of passing rating, as he ended up with a 109.6 mark. His efficient play during the second half loomed large in the outcome of a contest that the Titans couldnt afford to lose.
The NFL is a league that is dominated by quarterback play. It is no coincidence that the four most successful teams in the league this year (Patriots, Colts, Packers and Cowboys) happen to be blessed with the presence of a franchise caliber player leading their respective offenses.
The Cleveland Browns, the Titans competitor for the AFCs final wild card spot, have experienced a reversal of fortune as a result of the emergence of quarterback Derek Anderson. Jacksonvilles decision to discard oft-injured Byron Leftwich and insert David Garrard into the starting lineup has led to a successful season for them as well. For the most part, there is a strong correlation between solid quarterback play and winning football games.
As we all know, Vince Young has suffered his share of troubles this season. Whether its been injuries, inconsistent play or a myriad of dropped passes by the receivers, Youngs second season in the league has been a forgettable one for the most part.
However, two of Youngs best games of the season from a passing rating standpoint have come in the last three games (against the Texans and the Chiefs). Yesterday against the Chiefs, Young saved his best for last, as he led his team to a second half comeback in a game that was needed to keep the teams faint playoff hopes on the respirator.
With two games remaining, the Titans are going to need Young to perform well and lead the team as they fight for their playoff lives. As the star and signal-caller of this football team, now is the time for Young to step up and assert himself as a quarterback who is capable of leading his squad to the postseason.
Titans fans can only hope that yesterdays performance is a firm indication that Young is more than up to the task.
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