Another one: Mariani scores again

Marc Mariani wasted little time cementing the fact that he's the top punt returner in the AFC.

On Sunday afternoon, in Tennessee's 19-16 overtime loss to the Washington Redskins, the former Havre Blue Pony sparked the Titans with an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown. It is Mariani's second-career touchdown in what5 is becoming an incredible rookie season for the former two-time University of Montana All-American.

It tied for the second-longest punt return for a touchdown in franchise history, equaling Billy Johnson's 87-yarder against Cleveland on Oct. 16, 1977. Only Pacman Jones' 90-yarder at Philadelphia on Nov. 19, 2006 was longer.

Mariani's score was the team's first punt return for a touchdown since Jones' 81-yard touchdown against New England on Dec. 31, 2006.

"It felt great to be able to help spark the team," Mariani said after Sunday's game. "The Redskins are very good on special teams so to be able to make a big play against them like that, it was great."

The score was Mariani's lone punt return of the day, but he did have another strong day returning kicks. Mariani fielded three Redskins' kickoffs for 88 yards. Mariani continues to lead the conference in punt returns after Sunday's score.

The Titans (5-5) play at Houston this Sunday at 11 a.m. M.S.T.