Mariota, Titans trounce Jaguars
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[October 28, 2016]
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Coach Mike
Mularkey doesn't believe in cushions after seeing too many of them
disappear during his NFL career.
Still, his Tennessee Titans built an impressive one in a 36-22 win
over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night.
Tennessee (4-4) scored on its last five possessions of the first
half to take a 27-0 lead into the break.
"Well, I've been in a lot of games in my career, and I don't know if
there's any cushion," Mularkey said. "When we came out at the half,
it was the full game plan. Nothing was going to change because I've
been around long enough to know: Don't get comfortable."
Marcus Mariota looked comfortable, passing for 270 yards, and
DeMarco Murray rushed for 123 yards.
Mariota completed 18 of 22 passes with two touchdowns and no
interceptions as the Titans outgained the Jaguars 494 yards to 370.
"I think today was probably the first time all three phases played a
complete game, and you know what, that's all you can really ask
for," Mariota said. "Those guys deserve a lot of credit, and we've
just got to continue to roll."
Tennessee moved a half-game behind the Houston Texans (4-3) in the
AFC South.
The loss puts more pressure on Jaguars coach Gus Bradley, who fell
to 14-41 in his fourth season. Jacksonville (2-5) began the season
with high expectations due to an improved roster.
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He downplayed the scrutiny on his job status.
"No, I worry about this team and why did we perform like that in the
first half and figuring out, 'OK, how can we get it right?'" Bradley
said. "There's always solutions. This period right here -- it
happened, and we've got to take a hard look at it."
It was a rare home win for Mariota, who improved to 3-8 at Nissan
Stadium.
Murray rushed for one touchdown on 21 carries.
Jacksonville's Blake Bortles completed 33 of 54 passes for 337 yards
and three touchdowns.
"Frustrated for sure," Bortles said. "Like I said earlier in the
week or last week, you know, confidence isn't an issue. I believe in
myself and this team 100 percent."
Jacksonville finally got on the scoreboard when Bortles threw a
10-yard TD pass to Julius Thomas on the opening possession of the
second half.
Bortles ran in the two-point conversion, narrowing the deficit to
27-8, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive.
Tennessee answered with a 75-yard drive of its own on the ensuing
possession. Mariota threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Rishard
Matthews, giving the Titans a 33-8 lead with 6:53 left in the third
quarter.
Ryan Succop's third field goal, this one from 36 yards out,
increased the Titans' lead to 36-8 early in the fourth quarter.
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Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) attempts a pass in the first
half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory
Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
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Bortles threw a 5-yard TD strike to Allen Hurns and then a 7-yard
scoring pass to Bryan Walters in the final minutes.
Succop kicked a 32-yard field goal with 3:31 left in the first
quarter, giving the Titans a 3-0 lead.
Tennessee erupted for 24 unanswered points in the second quarter on
three touchdowns and a field goal.
Kendall Wright increased Tennessee's lead to 10-0 when he got behind
Tashaun Gipson on a post pattern for a 36-yard touchdown reception
from Mariota seven seconds into the second quarter.
Derrick Henry broke to the right side of the line on third-and-1 for
a 6-yard touchdown run, building the Titans' advantage to 17-0 with
10:36 left in the first half to cap an eight-play, 69-yard drive.
Phillip Supernaw nearly scored on a 44-yard pass from Mariota in the
second quarter, but a television-replay review showed that he
stepped out of bounds at the Jaguars' 14-yard line.
Murray scored on the next play on a 14-yard run, increasing
Tennessee's lead to 24-0 with 7:09 left in the first half.
Stopped initially up the middle, Murray reversed direction to the
left and raced into the end zone.
Succop added a 22-yard field goal, increasing the Titans' lead to
27-0 as time expired in the first half.
NOTES: Tennessee RB DeMarco Murray sustained a toe injury during a
19-yard run in the second quarter, but he later returned to action.
... Jaguars rookie CB Jalen Ramsey, a former star at nearby
Brentwood Academy, played his first NFL game in Nashville. ...
Titans CB Brice McCain started in place of Perrish Cox, and he
finished with three tackles and a pass defensed. FS Daimion Stafford
replaced Rashad Johnson in the starting lineup and made five
tackles. Brian Schwenke took LG Quinton Spain's spot. ... Jaguars DT
Roy Miller III was placed on injured reserve. His roster spot was
taken by Richard Ash. Abry Jones replaced Miller in the starting
lineup and made three tackles. DE Tyson Alualu took Jared Odrick's
starting position and recorded three tackles. ... Jacksonville came
out in a mustard-colored uniform in the nationally televised game.
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