NASHVILLE – The Titans lost 20-7 to the Jaguars on Thursday night.
It wasn't pretty.
But this is a weekly feature, so here's a look at six things that stood out from the game as the team begins to turn its attention to the Atlanta Falcons on September 29.
Protection Probs
Marcus Mariota getting sacked over and over again is the biggest thing I remember from the game. The Titans quarterback was sacked nine times in the contest, and he's now been sacked 17 times in three games. This isn't the place to come if you want a breakdown casting blame for each sack. But I'll say this: The Titans better get this problem fixed or it's going to be a long season.
Mariota Up and Down
Mariota needs to be more consistent, and he said it himself: "I didn't help our team at all in the first half, didn't give our guys a chance to make plays." It's true. Mariota was off early before being more effective late. He completed 17-of-24 passes for 242 yards in the second half after going just 6-of-16 for 62 yards in the first half. Still, he missed too many targets throughout on a night when he was constantly under duress.
WRs Involved
It had been a quiet start to the season for Titans receivers Adam Humphries, Corey Davis and Tajae Sharpe. But all three showed up and made plays on Thursday night. Humphries led the team with 93 receiving yards on six catches (he had three catches for four yards heading in). Davis made a nice one-handed catch, one of his three catches, and Sharpe had a pair of nice grabs, including one for a 47-yard gain.
Penalties
The Titans have been a disciplined team under head coach Mike Vrabel. Heading into Week 3, the Titans had been penalized 11 times in two games, tied with the Steelers, Panthers and Colts for the fewest penalties in the NFL. Dating back to last season, the team's 5.2 penalties per game under Vrabel was a league best. But the team racked up nine penalties for 101 yards against the Jaguars. I must say here some of them were pretty questionable, however.
Adoree' Jackson's Muffed Punt
The turning point in this game came early, when Titans return man Adoree' Jackson muffed a punt the Jaguars recovered at the Tennessee 7. On the next play, the Jaguars scored, and things snowballed from there. Vrabel has used both Humphries and Jackson in the return game at punt returner, and after Thursday's game he said he continued to use Jackson to allow him a chance to regain his confidence. Some outsiders have questioned the decision. I think everyone would agree the Titans need a spark here.
Defense
The defense played well enough for the team to win. The Titans allowed just 20 points, and one of Jacksonville's touchdowns was the gift-wrapped score when Jacksonville took over on the very short field. The Jaguars managed just 12 first downs in the game, and only five in the second half. They were just 2-of-11 on third down. The Titans were solid in run defense. Cornerback Malcolm Butler gave up some big plays, but he was battling and was physical. Overall, the Titans didn't do enough to rattle Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew, however. He wasn't sacked once.
The Tennessee Titans take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3 of the 2019 NFL season on Thursday Night Football.
The NFL Network banner on the field before an NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Adam Humphries (10) runs a route against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Sharif Finch (56) stops Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) on a run during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Darius Jennings (15) runs with a kickoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) flips the ball to running back Derrick Henry (22) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Darius Jennings (15) runs with a kickoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) looks to hand off the ball as he is pressured by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Darius Jennings (15) runs with a kickoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hands off against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Cameron Wake (91) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) lines up against Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (19) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans' Brett Kern (6) punts against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs at Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Quincy Williams (56) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Sharif Finch (56) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Geoff Swaim (87) blocks Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry (58) during a play in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Tennessee Titans center Ben Jones (60) prepares to snap the footbll to quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs at Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Quincy Williams (56) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Cameron Wake (91) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) stops Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) in the huddle during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) looks to handoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) fires a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) looks to handoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the Jacksonville Jaguars half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hands off to running back Derrick Henry (22) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) calls a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Daren Bates (53) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Dennis Kelly (71) works against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey, right, covers Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) scores against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Dennis Kelly (71) blocks Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, looks to dodge a tackle by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell (93) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, center, runs past Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Najee Goode, lower left, for a 1-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, center, runs past the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 1-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) celebrates with offensive tackle Dennis Kelly (71) after his touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan (26) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew greet each other after during an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel answers questions during a press conference after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel answers questions during a press conference after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
