The Tennessee Titans came into today’s game playing for their playoff lives. They got help from the Bengals earlier in the day as they defeated the Browns 19 - 14. That meant, with a victory, Tennessee would be in control of their own destiny, needing only to defeat the Colts in week 17 to get into the playoffs as the last AFC Wild Card team.

As expected, Kellen Clemens’ rib injury kept him out of the lineup and Chad Pennington was put back into familiar territory as the Jets’ starting QB. He often looked like the Chad of old, completing 26 of 32 passes for a very high percentage. But also like the Chad of old he had a costly red-zone interception and a horribly underthrown pick to end two drives. The red zone interception came after Eric Mangini chose to take 3 points off the board. Mike Nugent had converted on a 37-yard field goal but a Titan penalty gave the Jets an automatic first down. Mangini chose to take the first and goal at the Titan 9 and three plays later Pennington threw an interception in the end zone.

The Jets were only trailing 10 - 6 late in the 3rd quarter when they pinned the Titans on their own 2-yard line. The Titans put together a long drive, but penalties hurt them and they were forced to punt the ball back to the Jets.

Neither team scored on their next drives and the Jets got the ball back on their own 16 yard line with 4:37 left in the game, down by 4 points. The Jets picked up two first downs but on 4th down and game-to-go with under two minutes to play, Pennington was sacked for the 6th time.

The Jets used their final timeout when the Titans had 3rd and 6 on the Jets’ 41 yard line with 1:40 to go. A stop there and the Jets would get the ball back for one last attempt. In typical Jets’ fashion this season, the Titans needed 6 yards, the defense gave up 7, and the Titans ran out the clock.

The Jets, at 3-12, finish at home against the 4-11 Chiefs next Sunday. In what is sure to be a poorly attended game, the Jets will try to get their 4th victory against former coach Herm Edwards’ team.

Maybe what the Jets will take out of this game is remembering how a team fought hard all season to put themselves into a position to still be in the playoff hunt heading into week 17. And when given the opportunity to control their own destiny with a win, did just that.

With this season a wash, hopefully the Jets will remember the Titans.

Jon Buzby is a nationally-syndicated columnist who can be reached through is website at www.jonbuzby.com.