Titans 16, Colts10

Kerry Collins spent most of the season waiting for a chance to prove he could still play. Sunday night, with a playoff spot at stake, Tennessee’s backup quarterback delivered the season’s biggest win.

He led the Titans to three second-half field goals, including a 54-yarder by Rob Bironas to retake the lead in a 16-10 win that left Tennessee celebrating and Cleveland grimacing. The Titans play next Sunday at San Diego.

The Titans (10-6) had to win to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003. A loss would have given Cleveland its first playoff berth since 2002.

And when Peyton Manning left after two series, things looked good for the Titans. But the offense bogged down after a touchdown drive on the game’s first series. When Vince Young left in the third quarter because of a right quadriceps injury, Tennessee appeared to be in trouble.

Collins replaced Young in the middle of a 13-play, 56-yard drive that ended with Bironas’ tying 40-yard field goal. Then he moved the Titans 58 yards to set up Bironas’ go-ahead kick.

Quoteworthy: “That’s life as a backup. You never know when you’ll go in.” -- Kerry Collins, Titans quarterback