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GLENDALE, Ariz. –** Marcus Mariota blamed himself.
After Sunday's disappointing 12-7 loss to the Cardinals, the Titans quarterback stood at the podium and beat himself up on a day when the offense made too many mistakes while struggling to get anything going.
"Frustration is an understatement," Mariota said. "The defense played lights out, special teams did their job and I have been hurting our team and I have to find ways to get better and improve."
Later, Mariota said he's failing to live up to his own expectations.
"I expect myself to do my job, and that's taking care of the football and converting third downs," he said. "And I haven't been up to par. I have to be better."
Mariota and the entire Titans offense struggled on Sunday.
Mariota completed 16-of-31 passes for 159 yards, with two interceptions for a passer rating of 39.6.
Mariota blamed himself for the two interceptions, but after the game receiver Rishard Matthews said one of them was on him. With the Titans driving, Mariota threw inside when Matthews went outside, and the ball was picked off.
"Marcus is going to be alright,'' Matthews said. "You have to be able to bounce back and have a short memory in this game."
As a whole, the Titans struggled mightily on offense in Sunday's loss, which wasted another strong performance from the defense.
Running back Derrick Henry scored on a six-yard touchdown run in the first half to give the Titans a 7-0 lead at the end of a nine-play, 50-yard drive. But the Titans managed just 14 first downs in the game, and went just 4-of-12 in third down.
The Titans managed just three first downs and 62 yards in the second half.
The team couldn't run it consistently, averaging just three yards per carry, and the passing game lacked consistency.
"It's on us," Mariota said. "It's on the offense. The defense played outstanding, they have been all year. We just haven't been able to put the ball in the end zone and score points."
"Their defense played well, they made plays when they needed to. A couple of times we weren't able to make a play, and that's on me, and I have to be better."
Titans coach Mike Mularkey said after the game Mariota suffered a knee injury in the contest, and played through it.
Mariota said it came on a first half run, when he took a hit as he was sliding.
Mariota indicated he's OK health-wise.
But he wasn't happy leaving University of Phoenix Stadium.
"I'm just pissed off,'' Mariota said.
The Tennessee Titans take on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14 at University of Phoenix Stadium. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
