Johnson goes the distance

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson isn’t just the NFL’s leading rusher. He’s also had more 50-yard runs than anyone else in the league since being drafted last year.

Johnson has had five such runs, one more than Adrian Peterson of Minnesota and two more than DeAngelo Williams of Carolina.

Johnson had a 66-yard touchdown at Kansas City last season and had TD runs of 57 and 91 yards against Houston on Sept. 20.

Credit Johnson’s speed: He clocked a 4.24-second 40-yard dash at the 2008 NFL combine. He’s also more patient now, following the blocks of linemen and receivers to get downfield.

Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell, who gets to defend Johnson tonight, calls him “maybe the most electrifying back in all of the league.”

Peterson has the edge in runs 20 yards or longer with 24 since the start of the 2008 season.

Odds are

Five teams reached the quarter mark of the season undefeated, the third time it’s happened (1968, 2003). Of those five, the New Orleans Saints have been given the best odds to replicate New England’s 16-0 record of two years ago. They are 35-1 according to BetUS.com.

Next on the list are the New York Giants at 50-1, followed by the Colts (75-1), the Minnesota Vikings (80-1) and the Denver Broncos (125-1).

Around the league

The Washington Redskins promoted punter Glenn Pakulak for their game against Carolina today. Pakulak will handle the punting and holding duties in place of injured Hunter Smith. … Defensive back Bob Sanders, who has not played this season because of a knee injury, traveled with the Colts to Tennessee and could play tonight.