8:13 P.M. MST: Broncos open the half off the kickoff toucback with a 3-yard Selvin Young carry; he now has 45 yards on 11 carries tonight.
8:17 P.M. MST: After an on-field delay, Jay Cutler one-hops it to Brandon Marshall near the left sideline … which, of course, does no good in football. Broncos in third-and-7 … and they convert, as Cutler proceeds to phaser one to Marshall for 11 yards.
8:20 P.M. MST: Media-relations intern Jason Taylor has a chili dog coated in ketchup and mustard. I consider this to be a nasty, wretched collection of toppings; I would never put ketchup and mustard on a chili dog. Taylor insists, “They do this lots of places.” Where, I ask? Help me out here.
8:20 P.M. MST: Two third-down receptions for Marshall on this drive … these are his first catches of the night so far.
8:21 P.M. MST: Selvin Young very slow to rise after a 4-yard gain; he’s on his feet but is being treated on the field.
8:22 P.M. MST: Looks to me like Young might have turned his right ankle … we’ll wait for the official report.
8:22 P.M. MST: Brandon Marshall — nice touchdown reception, but very dangerous to hold the ball out like that before crossing the goal line. Maybe I’m just out of touch with modern celebrations of football, but to me, it just seems like that’s a way to get yourself in trouble. Nevertheless, the Broncos lead 27-10.
8:26 P.M. MST: Injury report — Selvin Young is fine and is expected to return.
8:30 P.M. MST: Young is getting the ball to his targets deep … but they can’t hang on. Bo Scaife couldn’t get that deep pass on second-and-10.
8:32 P.M. MST: Denver’s defense gets the stop … but Glenn Martinez gives it away on the punt return; he muffs the catch and the Titans take over at the Broncos 27 with 9:34 left in the quarter.
8:33 P.M. MST: Young makes a move in the backfield on first down that just froze Ian Gold … Young proceeds to sprint 19 yards to first-and-goal at the Denver 8 … Crowd getting noisy now at the south end … and LenDale White powers to the 4-yard-line.
8:36 P.M. MST: Young is forced out of bounds at the left sidelune at the 1-yard-line … Now third-and-goal at the 1 … Crowd roaring and on its feet … Ian Gold has the first pass rush, forcing Young back … V.Y. eludes to the left, but Marcus Thomas and Tim Crowder chase him to the outside … Crowder forces him out … but somewhere amidst the din, Denver called timeout, so there’s no play.
8:36 P.M. MST: Oy gevault.
8:38 P.M. MST: And now because the Broncos called timeout, the Titans can challenge the second down on which Young was forced out of bounds … because the third-and-goal never happened. Tennessee has challenged the play.
8:40 P.M. MST: And the Titans win the replay challenge and get the touchdown.
8:42 P.M. MST: What an odd game this has been.
8:45 P.M. MST: Broncos will begin at their 32 after a 26-yard Andre Hall return.
8:46 P.M. MST: Vince Young is probable to return with a contusion of his quadriceps muscle.
8:48 P.M. MST: A Selvin Young carry for a first down is wiped out by an Erik Pears holding penalty … and then the rookie running back is slow to arise. Fellow Texas alumnus Michael Griffin was hurt for the Titans one play earlier … the Longhorns dropping as though they’re in a slaughterhouse.
8:50 P.M. MST: Andre Hall now in for Young … Broncos have third-and-10 from the 32. Key play forthcoming.
8:51 P.M. MST: Cutler loses seven yards as Vince Fuller came untouched on a safety blitz … Todd Sauerbrun now with his first piunt of the night … he uncorks a 58-yarder … Chris Davis fumbles on the punt return, but the Titans manage to recover … Vince Young will come back in the game for Tennessee.
8:53 P.M. MST: Titans now with first-and-5 at their 44 … John Lynch and Dre’ Bly trying to marshal the fans to make more noise … LenDale White takes the carry and slams forward five yards for the first down … White starting to find a groove for the first time tonight.
8:54 P.M. MST: Vince Young to Bo Scaife for 12 yards to the Denver 39 … but of far greater significance is the fact that John Lynch was hurt and had to be treated on the field … Scaife stiff-armed Lynch, knocking his helmet back … Lynch was wincing pretty badly as he hit the ground … Domonique Foxworth now in at safety for Lynch.
8:57 P.M. MST: Another 12 yards for the Titans … now at the Denver 24.
8:57 P.M. MST: Selvin Young is questionable to return with a strained right knee.
8:57 P.M. MST: Broncos can’t recover another loose ball; Brandon Jones lost it but the Titans recovered. Titans have landed on all three fumbles this quarter.
8:58 P.M. MST: John Lynch is back in; the quarter is over.