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Marcus Mariota makes the Tennessee Titans watchable

By Will Lomas

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Marcus Mariota
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Marcus Mariota /
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Today should be Marcus Mariota appreciation day.

In the last two weeks the Tennessee Titans have played six of the most pitiful quarters of football since the Jeff Fisher era.

Against two of the most disappointing offensive lines in football, they have combined for just three sacks in two games. I don’t think I even need to talk about the points allowed in the Texans game.

While the defense was much better against Jay Cutler and the Dolphins, the decision to rush 3 on the most important down in the game was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Lapses in judgement and inconsistent play calling have been a major issue with this team early on in the year.

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On offense, the team has managed just 10 points in the last six quarters. With Matt Cassel at quarterback the Titans are the least effective scoring offense in the NFL.

That brings me to the question, how did the Tennessee Titans even win games against Jacksonville and Seattle. Marcus Mariota.

For all of those people complaining that Mariota can’t stay healthy, you need to be focusing on what is sitting right underneath your nose. With two good running backs and a quality offensive line, Terry Robiskie called 18 runs between DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry combined.

Compare that to 32 passes from Matt Cassel and you see why fans have a right to be upset. Marcus Mariota is playing games for a coach who decided that was a good game plan.

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    • On average the Titans score nearly 15 points more per game when Marcus Mariota is in compared to when he is out. When your defense allows the 2nd most points per game in the NFL, you need that extra offense to survive. By the way, that is 2nd worst in the NFL despite playing the worst offense in the NFL last week.

    Don’t play Marcus Mariota for getting hurt. Sure that is the flaw in his game, but there aren’t many quarterbacks in the NFL that cause a two TD swing compared to their backups.

    Other head coaches and offensive coordinators would know to lean on the running game and to hope that your best players can make plays. The Titans don’t have those coaches.

    So, today should be Marcus Mariota appreciation day. Mariota is the difference between blowing out Jacksonville on the road and losing to the worst offense in football.

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    Blame Matt Cassel, Mike Mularkey, Dick LeBeau, Terry Robiskie, or any number of people, but if you have the audacity to complain that the man dragging the Titans into playoff contention despite all that dysfunction, you just don’t understand football.

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