2013 Season Rewind: Titans QBs

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The 2013 season included multiple statistical improvements by Titans quarterbacks.

Tennessee's passers threw for more yards and touchdowns and improved in completion percentage and passer rating from 2012 to 2013.

Jake Locker started the season strong, leading the Titans to a 3-1 start that included a 94-yard game-winning drive against San Diego and a career-high three TD-passes in the first half against the New York Jets before suffering hip and knee sprains.

Ryan Fitzpatrick replaced Locker in the second half of that game, which included his first TD pass as a Titan, a 77-yarder that Nate Washington reeled in despite a collision with an official.

Fitzpatrick stepped into the starting role against Kansas City and at Seattle until Locker returned to start against San Francisco, at St. Louis and against Jacksonville in a game in which the third-year pro suffered a season-ending Lisfranc (foot) injury that required surgery.

Locker was 111-of-183 passing (completion percentage increased from 56.4 in 2012 to 60.7 percent) for 1,256 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. His passer rating in his second season as Tennessee's starter was 86.7, which was up from 73.9 in 2012.

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Click here for a slideshow of Titans QBs in 2013.

Fitzpatrick moved back into the starting role and took every snap the remainder of the season as the Titans altered the offense they began the season with more toward Fitzpatrick's skills and preferences.

The veteran finished 217-of-350 passing (62 percent) for 2,454 yards with 14 TDs and 12 interceptions for a passer rating of 82. Fitzpatrick's numbers were strong on third down when he was 59-of-97 passing for 818 yards with seven TDs and two interceptions for a rating of 103.4 that ranked fourth in the NFL.

For the second straight season, the Titans' third leading rusher was its backup quarterback. Fitzpatrick gained 225 yards and rushed for three touchdowns on plays that were mostly scrambles with a couple of designed runs. Locker gained 155 yards on 24 rush attempts and had two touchdowns.

After Locker's injury, Rusty Smith backed up Fitzpatrick but did not play in 2013. The Titans also signed veteran John Skelton from mid-November to mid-December as a backup before waiving him and signing undrafted rookie Tyler Wilson off Oakland's practice squad.

The chart below shows the statistical differences between Jake Locker's first and second seasons as a starter.

Another metric in which Titans QBs were strong was in fourth-quarter passing statistics. Locker had the sixth-best fourth-quarter passer rating in the NFL, and Fitzpatrick ranked 21st. Here's a look at their fourth-quarter passing numbers.