NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota set a franchise record for completion rate (95.7 percent) on Monday night, and it was the second-highest single-game completion percentage in NFL history.
But it didn't matter, because the Titans lost 34-17 to the Texans.
In the locker room on Wednesday, Mariota and the Titans were locked in on the New York Jets – and finding ways to win. The Titans (5-6) have lost in back-to-back weeks, and with five games left many players on Wednesday called Sunday's game at Nissan Stadium a must win.
"You can't control the outside noise, and you can't control anything other than what we are doing here today, and being present," Mariota said. "I think these guys have the right mentality and we just have to go out there and prepare and focus and see what we can do.
"(The Jets defense) has done a good job throughout the year. They've created turnovers, and up front they have some guys that create havoc and get to the passer. So it is kind of week in and week out, it is getting the ball out of your hands and allowing our guys to go make plays and not letting that front get going."
Mariota was sacked six times against the Texans, and he's been sacked 35 times in 10 games on the season. He reiterated on Wednesday he needs to do a better job avoiding sacks.
Titans players meet with reporters prior to Wednesday's practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Photos: Gary Glenn)
And he wants to spread the ball to his playmakers.
"Getting the ball out quicker, and being more efficient in my reads just to allow those guys to get the ball downfield," Mariota said. "(I have to) avoid getting hits, and finding ways to live for another down."
Mariota completed 22-of-23 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns against the Texans. Mariota broke the franchise record held by former Oilers signal caller Chris Chandler, who completed 88.5 percent of his passes (23 of 26) at Cincinnati on Sept. 24, 1995.
Mariota completed his first 19 passes in the game at Houston, going until late in the fourth quarter before throwing an incompletion on his 20th attempt. Mariota's passer rating against the Texans was 147.7, giving him his third-highest career passer rating with at least 20 attempts and the fourth-highest single-game passer rating in franchise history.
Receiver Corey Davis led the Titans with 96 receiving yards on four catches on a night when four tight ends had catches (Jonnu Smith, Luke Stocker, Anthony Firkser, and MyCole Pruitt) but only two receivers had grabs (Davis, Cameron Batson).
The Jets (3-8) enter Sunday's game ranked 21st in total defense (27th vs rush, 16th vs pass).
"We just have to do a good job of spreading the ball around and just making sure the defense, can't settle on a certain guy, and allowing those guys to make plays," Mariota said. "Really the main thing is just spreading the ball around and making sure we are distributing evenly.
"I think you have to find ways to get every guy the ball, whether it is Dion (Lewis), whether it is Corey, whether it is Derrick (Henry), whether it is Jonnu (Smith). It is not focusing on one specific guy. One week it might be Corey, the next week it might be Tajae (Sharpe). It just depends week to week."
TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series between the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Tennessee Titans' Michael Griffin (33) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tennessee Titans defensive end Karl Klug (97) and Brian Orakpo (98) sack New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 30-8. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Jets' Stevan Ridley (22) is tackled by Tennessee Titans' Da'Norris Searcy (21) and DaQuan Jones (90) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws a pass during a week 14 NFL football game against the New York Jets on December 13, 2015 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Jets strong safety Calvin Pryor (25) tackles Tennessee Titans' Harry Douglas (83) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
A look down the line of scrimmage as the Tennessee Titans take on the New York Jets during a week 14 NFL football game on December 13, 2015 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dexter McCluster (22) scores the two point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs for a touchdown after he makes a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) rushes during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Jets' Stevan Ridley (22) is tackled by Tennessee Titans' Da'Norris Searcy (21) and DaQuan Jones (90) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) catches a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. Mariota scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Tennessee Titans defensive end Karl Klug (97) sacks New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) during a week 14 NFL football game against the on December 13, 2015 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) waits for the snap during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs for a touchdown after he makes a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) drops back to pass during a week 14 NFL football game against the New York Jets on December 13, 2015 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015 file photo, New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass away from Tennessee Titans' Jurrell Casey (99) during the first half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. The New York Jets play the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) catches a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. Mariota scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
FILE - In this Dec. 13, 2015, file photo, Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) catches a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, in East Rutherford, N.J. Mariota scored a touchdown on the play. For every unplanned play that earns a name like the Immaculate Reception, there’s a gimmick cooked up by coaches to catch a defense by surprise. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
New York Jets plays Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 30-8. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
New York Jets running back Romar Morris (30) is tackled by the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Alex Tanney (11) looks to pass against the New York Jets during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs the ball under pressure from New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) makes a catch against New York Jets cornerback Darryl Roberts (27) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) makes a catch against New York Jets cornerback Marcus Williams (20) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) carries the ball against the New York Jets during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg (5) is sacked by Tennessee Titans defensive back Brynden Trawick (41) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) makes a catch against New York Jets cornerback Darryl Roberts (27) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) breaks down the field against New York Jets cornerback Juston Burris (32) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) stiff arms New York Jets cornerback Darryl Roberts (27) after making a catch during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
New York Jets wide receiver Lucky Whitehead (8) is tackled by Tennessee Titans wide receiver Eric Weems (14) and defensive back Brynden Trawick (41) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) passes against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Manny Abad (38) stiff arms New York Jets tight end Jordan Leggett (49) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Alex Tanney (11) looks to pass against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg (5) throws against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) calls an audible at the line of scrimmage against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans running back Akeem Judd (38) carries the ball against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) shakes hands with New York Jets players after an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 7-3. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) calls an audible at the line of scrimmage against the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
