But Johnson broke his 46-yard run, the longest of his two-year career, just two plays after the kickoff to tie it.
"He's grown up a lot and he did an outstanding job," Vermeil said.
Tennessee then really got creative on fourth-and-1 from the Chiefs' 46. Craig Hentrich dropped back to punt, but most of his blockers lined up toward the right sideline. Snapper Ken Amato snapped the ball to Troy Fleming behind that wall and Fleming ran for 13 yards.
The Titans should have saved it, because they wound up punting anyway.
Perhaps tired from all the ground they were covering, both offenses slowed in the fourth quarter until Johnson's decisive TD and the strange ending.
"We did a great job that last drive calling plays," Vermeil said. "Trent made a few and Eddie Kennison made the play and we go home with the win."
Tennessee's Chris Brown went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season on the opening series, but he fumbled twice. He had a 1-yard TD run before leaving at halftime with a recurrence of his turf toe injury; he gained 91 yards.
Kennison also had a big night that featured a 58-yard TD reception as both defenses kept losing track of opposing receivers.
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