Tempers boiled over midway through the fourth quarter, and Texans WR Andre Johnson and Titans CB Cortland Finnegan were ejected. After exchanging words — and shoves — on the previous play, the two got into it at the line of scrimmage when Finnegan jammed his hands into Johnson’s face mask.
It escalated from there.
Johnson then grabbed Finnegan’s face mask and ripped off his helmet. Finnegan then got Johnson’s helmet off as well, but went down to the turf. That’s when Johnson connected on two haymakers, then one uppercut. Finnegan clapped his hands as the two were broken up, apparently thinking only Johnson would be ejected.
No question Johnson got the best of Finnegan in this one. He probably should, as the tale of the tape shows a big size advantage for Johnson (listed at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds) versus the smaller Finnegan (5-10, 188).
Personnel fouls for unnecessary roughness were called on both players, and fines likely are coming, too. Johnson had to be restrained by several team personnel as he was pushed away, then was escorted off the field by a police officer for an early shower. Finnegan jogged off the field, at one point waving to the Houston crowd.
This was about the best fight you'll see this side of the NHL. We wouldn't be surprised to see Andre Johnson and Cortland Finnegan issued one game suspensions. For what it's worth, HC Gary Kubiak awarded Johnson the game ball.