SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 13, 2011
Chris Johnson had a season-high 130 rushing yards and became the third player in franchise history to top 5,000 yards as the visiting Tennessee Titans cruised to a 30-3 road win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
Johnson joined Eddie George and Earl Campbell as the only players in franchise history with 5,000 rushing yards. The flashy Johnson racked up his 26th career 100-yard game - but only his second this season.
The Titans (5-4) got off to a rare quick start, as Marc Mariani returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown and Damian Williams hauled in a career-long 43-yard touchdown pass for a 14-0 first-quarter lead. The Titans had scored only 16 points in the first quarter of their first eight games.
Williams, who notched his first 100-yard receiving game, has four touchdown catches in the past six contests.
The Panthers (2-7) were held scoreless in the first half for first time this season. They were also held without a touchdown for the first time since a 27-3 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 16 last season.
The Titans had a season-high five sacks, also the most sacks the Panthers have allowed.
Carolina's Chris Gamble intercepted Matt Hasselbeck's pass in the third quarter for the 26th interception of his career, passing Eric Davis for the franchise record.
Tennessee has won 13 of its past 14 games against NFC opponents.