HOUSTON, Texas – Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota had no idea he was on a hot streak.
And after Monday's 34-17 loss to the Texans, he didn't really seem to care about it.
Mariota started the game completing his first 19 passes, and he was 19-of-19 for 271 yards and two touchdowns at one point before throwing his first incompletion late in the game.
His streak of completions broke a "Titans era" record, which he set against the Eagles earlier this season when he completed 15 straight. Mariota finished the game 22-of-23 for 303 yards with a 147.7 passer rating.
Mariota instead pointed to the miscues, which resulted in the Titans seeing an early 10-0 lead melt away in another disappointing loss.
"I can do a better job, though," Mariota said after the game. "I didn't help our guys up front – I was holding the ball too long. I got us in negative situations, taking some of these sacks. I'll look back at the film and get better from it, and improve."
Mariota was sacked six times in the contest, and he's now been sacked 35 times in 10 games this season. The Titans weren't able to take advantage of Mariota's success because they didn't help themselves on third down by going 4-of-12 (33 percent). The Titans were stuffed on a 4th and one run by tight end Luke Stocker at the 3-yard line early.
"They did a good job on third down against us," Mariota said. "To be able to continue to sustain drives, continue to sustain momentum, we've got to be able to be efficient on third down. And I think there were times when we might have had a big play, but we got kind of stalled. If we want to be the offense that we want to be, we have to improve in that area, and be able to continue to sustain drive and score points."
Mariota connected with tight end Jonnu Smith for a 61-yard touchdown early. On the play, Smith caught a short pass in the middle of the field, and then outraced everyone to the end zone to make it 10-0. But the Texans responded with 27 straight points.
Later in the game, Mariota connected with receiver Corey Davis for a 48-yard touchdown, which made it 27-17. The touchdown pass was Mariota's 16th completion in a row to start the game.
But none of the stats mattered in the end, as the Titans dropped to 5-6.
"We just have to focus on tomorrow," Mariota said. "We can't worry about anything else. Just take care of your business, take care of your household, and find ways to improve.
"When it comes down to it, we haven't played complementary football. We haven't done a good enough job across the board. At the same time, there is no loss of confidence. Go back to the film, and find things we can improve on, and bounce back."
The Tennessee Titans get set to take on the Houston Texans in Week 12 of the 2018 season on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018 at NRG Stadium. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP, Talha Khawaja, Jorge Luna)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
NRG stadium before an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt warms up at NRG stadium before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
The initials of Houston Texans owner Robert "Bob" McNair are seen of the field at NRG Stadium before an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, in Houston. McNair had battled both leukemia and squamous cell carcinoma in recent years before dying in Houston on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
NRG Stadium his seen before an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
A banner hangs at NRG Stadium before an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
A fan watches as players prepare for an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
