Titans Criticize Rule After Loss to Ravens

The Tennessee Titans celebrated what they believed was a last-second victory against the defending Super Bowl champions.

Instead, the Titans were done in by a do-over.

In one of the wackiest NFL finishes of the year, the Titans trailed, 16-10, as they drove down the field in the closing seconds against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night.

After the Titans got to the one-yard line, both teams scrambled back to the line of scrimmage and quarterback Steve McNair dived into the end zone as time expired.

But an official had thrown a flag, ruling that Raven linebacker Peter Boulware was offsides and making the Titans run one last play. This time, McNair was stuffed before he could get into the end zone. Game over.

“It was taken away from us because of the defense’s inability to get lined up,” Titan Coach Jeff Fisher said.

“We were robbed, because on a play like that last one, the Ravens got an advantage for jumping offside and taking our touchdown away,” defensive tackle Jason Fisk said. “It’s ridiculous the way that rule is written, but that’s the rule and we lost.”

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Titan quarterback Steve McNair will wear a cast on his throwing hand for at least a day after aggravating an injury.

McNair had X-rays and other tests on his right hand and Fisher said the results were negative. But doctors found an apparent hairline break in McNair’s thumb.

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The mother of Titan running back Eddie George was released from jail early Tuesday after being charged with driving under the influence and child endangerment involving George’s 4-year-old son.

Donna Jean George of St. Louis was released on $10,000 bond, jail spokeswoman Karla Crocker said.

“I regard this as a personal and family matter that my mom and I will work through,” George said.

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The expansion Houston Texans will make their debut against the New York Giants in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, on Aug 5.

“In terms of introducing our team ... I think this will gain the largest audience and it gets us in the New York market,” owner Bob McNair said.

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Denver Bronco running back Terrell Davis was recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery and is expected to be sidelined 10 days. He had surgery Monday to repair cartilage in his left knee, the team said. He is expected to miss two games, including a Thanksgiving Day game at Dallas.

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Miami receiver O.J. McDuffie and tight end Alonzo Mayes will return to practice today after being taken off the Dolphins’ reserve/physically unable to perform list. ... The Detroit Lions released tight end Pete Mitchell, who hadn’t played in the team’s last two games. ... Receiver-returner Reggie Jones, who played poorly in a loss at Denver, was released by the San Diego Chargers.