Cincinnati Bengals Related Info: Team Page City Page: • Cincinnati Message Boards: • Bengals • NFL

Tennessee Titans Related Info: Team Page City Page: • Nashville Message Boards: • Titans • NFL

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- It was an appropriate ending to a disappointing season for the Tennessee Titans.

Neil Rackers kicked a 34-yard field goal with 20 seconds remaining as the Cincinnati Bengals rallied for a 23-21 victory over the Titans.

Among the favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, the Titans (7-9) finished in the third place in the Central Division and concluded their first sub-.500 season since going 7-9 in 1995.

"After two back-to-back 13-win season I think this team finally realized what a fine line it is between winning and losing," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "Sometimes it's how you start a game; sometimes it's whether or not your able to make a play at the end of the game; sometimes it's how you execute on the first drive of the second half.

"Often times games are won or lost by the difference of a couple of plays here or there. This team realized this year that every single play has an outcome, an influence and outcome of the game, every single play. Today's a great example of that."

The Titans had been the NFL's best regular season team over the last two years, going a combined 26-6. Tennessee advanced to Super Bowl XXXIV in 1999 and reached the divisional playoffs last season.

On Sunday, the Titans squandered a two-touchdown lead for the second straight week.

Trailing 21-20, the Bengals moved 54 yards in nine plays for the winning score. Jon Kitna got the Bengals in position with a 39-yard completion to Darnay Scott to the Tennessee 31 with just over a minute remaining.

Moments later, Rackers split the uprights to give the Bengals the win, which snapped a seven-game losing streak against Tennessee. Last Sunday, Rackers hit a 31-yard field goal in overtime in a 26-23 victory over Pittsburgh.

"This one is obviously a little easier to celebrate than the one last week," Rackers said. "The team played great today. They gave me opportunities. They pushed the ball down the field. We won a big ballgame for us."

Corey Dillon had touchdown runs of two and 34 yards in the first quarter for the Bengals (6-10), who finished tied for last place with Jacksonville in the AFC Central.

"I thought it was a good ending," Bengals coach Dick LeBeau said. "A difficult ballgame that went down to the end. Our guys did a great job of getting it done at the end and I'm very proud of them."

Afterward, Titans Pro Bowl center Bruce Matthews indicated he would not be back for his 20th season.

"It's a long shot," he said. "I'm very thankful or honored to play this long. It's been a great run and I'm very humbled to be standing before you (media). It's gone fast."

Trying to end their season on a positive, the Titans received a big play from their defense on the Bengals' second possession when Kitna fumbled and linebacker Eddie Robinson recovered for Tennessee at the Cincinnati 37.

Four plays later, Steve McNair found Derrick Mason open down the left sideline for a 41-yard touchdown pass, giving the Titans an early 7-0 lead.

It was a huge day for Mason, who finished with nine catches for 186 yards, including a 35-yard TD in the second half. He finished the season with 73 catches for 1,128 yards and nine TDs.

McNair, who had a big first half, extended the Titans' lead to 14-0 seven seconds into the second quarter with a six-yard TD run.

McNair completed 11-of-18 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. But suffering from back spasms, he was replaced after halftime by veteran Neil O'Donnell.

The Bengals were able to battle back before intermission, getting touchdown runs of two and 34 yards by Dillon in the final 6:29 of the half to tie the contest.

Dillon carried 22 times for 87 yards. He finished the season with 1,315 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Rackers, who struggled this season, kicked field goals of 30 and 33 yards just over three minutes apart in the third quarter, giving the Bengals a 20-14 lead.

But O'Donnell gave the Titans the lead back, finding Mason with a 35-yard touchdown pass with 55 seconds left in the third quarter. O'Donnell went 7-of-14 for 134 yards and that score.

Kitna, who threw for 411 yards in last week's win, was able to rally the Bengals in the waning moments. In addition to the 31-yard completion Scott, Kitna and the Bengals also were aided by a 14-yard interference penalty on cornerback Michael Booker.

Kitna finished 28-of-47 for 340 yards and an interception. His favorite target was Scott, who had nine catches for 152 yards.