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A.J. Brown makes 'flu game' joke after season-best performance while battling food poisoning

Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown has something in common with Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan: Illness won't stop him from putting up big numbers.

Brown had a "flu game" of his own Monday, catching seven passes for 91 yards while dealing with food poisoning. Brown was the Titans' best receiver down the stretch in a narrow 34-31 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 6.

Two days before the contest, Brown wasn't sure he would even play. Brown got food poisoning, and needed multiple IVs before taking the field Monday.

Following the contest, he joked about having his version of a "flu game." Brown sent out a photoshopped image on his Instagram story.

That image features Brown's face on Jordan's body and Titans running back Derrick Henry's face on Scottie Pippen's body. Jordan had to be helped off the court after dropping 38 points during Game 5 of the NBA Finals in 1997. Jordan played despite battling the flu, and helped lead his team past the Utah Jazz.

Titans separating themselves in AFC South

The win moved the Titans to 4-2 on the season. That gives the team a two-win lead over the Indianapolis Colts for the division lead.

The Titans managed that record despite a slow start in the passing game. Ryan Tannehill has thrown for six touchdowns against four interceptions through the first six games of the season. Brown and Julio Jones have combined for one touchdown.

With the passing game struggling, Henry has picked up the slack. He leads the league with 783 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns and 162 carries.

Feeding Henry has worked well, but that's not a sustainable workload. Henry is on pace for 459 carries, which would break the record for the most carries in a single season. The Titans finding their passing game would take pressure off Henry, and keep him fresh for a postseason run.

Then again, Henry appears to be a football unicorn. If anyone can handle the punishment of record-setting usage and still stiff arm defenders into oblivion in January, it's Henry.

A.J. Brown with the Titans.
A.J. Brown overcame food poisoning to beat the Bills. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)