HOUSTON --- Rob Bironas kicked a 53-yard field goal with less than a minute remaining and the Tennessee Titans beat the Houston Texans 20-17 for their fourth consecutive victory after an 0-6 start.
The Texans (5-5) had a chance to tie it, but Kris Brown's 49-yard attempt with a second remaining was wide left. It was his second miss of the game and the second game in a row he's missed a chance to send the Texans to overtime.
The Titans (4-6) haven't lost since Vince Young took over at quarterback. He is 2-0 as a starter in his hometown of Houston after running for the winning touchdown in overtime in his last start as a rookie in 2006.
The Texans didn't get the win they needed to keep pace in the crowded field of contenders for the AFC wild-card berths. The game also marked the return of Young. The University of Texas star led the Titans to an overtime victory at Reliant Stadium in 2006, his rookie season.
Earlier, Matt Schaub found Andre Johnson with a 12-yard pass to the corner of the end zone with 4:01 left in the first half. It was Johnson's 38th career touchdown reception and his fifth this season.
Schaub threw his 19th TD pass, extending his own single-season franchise record.
Young threw a 27-yard pass to Bo Scaife in the first minute of the third quarter. Texans linebacker Brian Cushing was flagged for hitting Young out of bounds, giving Tennessee a first down at the Houston 28.
Young scrambled again on the next play, but Houston linebacker Zac Diles forced a fumble and safety Bernard Pollard recovered at the 16.
Schaub completed a 23-yard pass to tight end Joel Dreessen and the Texans crossed midfield on a first-down pass from Schaub to Leach. The drive stalled and Brown missed a 49-yard field goal with 8:08 left in the third quarter.
Texans fullback Vonta Leach left with a bruised left knee, but he returned in the second quarter.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
