JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – All the ingredients developed for a perfect storm against the Titans on Thursday night, and it got ugly.
-The Titans fell behind early against a Jacksonville defense that's proven capable of creating havoc.
-The Titans once again struggled on early downs, putting themselves in long down-and-distance situations.
-There were communication issues up front, and in some cases, linemen just flat-out got beat.
It all added up to nine sacks of quarterback Marcus Mariota in a 20-7 loss to the Jaguars.
"It's not how you want to play this football team – you don't want to play from behind," Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. "We've talked about that every time we've played them. This is not the team that you want to play from behind -- they can rush the passer. Unfortunately, we were playing from behind."
The Titans fell behind 14-0 in less than nine minutes, and trailed throughout.
The Jaguars sacked Mariota just once in the first half, but they got to him eight times in the second half.
"We have to watch the film," guard Rodger Saffold said. "It takes all 11 to be able to protect the quarterback. We have to figure out what is going on. Why is there nowhere to go with the ball? What do we need to do? I think everybody is going to look real critically of themselves coming into next week.
"Most of the time we put ourselves in bad situations which put us in third and long and things really got heated up with seven-man pressures, eight-man pressures. They were bringing the house a lot."
Mariota has been sacked 17 times through the first three weeks of the 2019 season. That is the most a single QB has been sacked through Week 3 since 2002, per the official Twitter account of the NFL Media Research Department.
"It's a rough one," Titans tackle Jack Conklin said. "We don't want to see our quarterback get hit that much and it's on us.
"Any time you fall behind you start moving away from the run game, you lose your play-action and you are just dropping back. It shortens our playbook and ramps theirs up. Any time you get in that situation you are in for a rough night."
Mariota completed 23-of-40 passes for 304 yards, but most of his success came in the second half, when the Titans were playing catch up.
Mariota said he was "frustrated" after the contest.
"We didn't come out and play very well and that's what happens in this league," Mariota said. "They got their guys going and unfortunately we got down quick. A lot of it was our own mistakes, whether it was penalties or negative plays."
One of the few positives: Mariota played better in the second half.
Mariota 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.
But Mariota wasn't happy it took him so long to get going.
"I have to find it out because I can't start games that way," Mariota said. "I didn't help our team at all in the first half, didn't give our guys a chance to make plays.
"I think (being more consistent) is something we'll continue to look at. We have the weekend now to discuss it, and I think from a quick glance it really just starts on first and second down."
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)
