Titans hit new low in loss to Jets
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Even the headsets quit.
A week after rallying to snap an epic home losing streak, the Titans showed little emotion or effort in an embarrassing 30-8 loss to the Jets on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
At the game’s humiliating nadir, Jets star receiver Brandon Marshall scored a 69-yard touchdown when he was left uncovered with less than two minutes remaining in the first half, providing New York a 27-0 lead at the break.
The Titans’ headsets malfunctioned, interim coach Mike Mularkey explained, and players were still waiting for a defensive call when the Jets snapped the ball.
“Not an excuse, but we had no communication to the field or upstairs,” he said. “That doesn’t give us any reason not to still cover an uncovered receiver.”
The disconcerting performance, briefly interrupted by the novelty of Marcus Mariota catching a 41-yard touchdown pass from running back Antonio Andrews, increases the likelihood that Mularkey’s tenure in Nashville ends with the regular season. He owns a 2-4 record since Ken Whisenhunt was fired Nov. 3.
Marcus Mariota follows great game with dud
The Titans (3-10) were hoping to win consecutive games for the first time since the end of the 2013 season, but were stuck in neutral from the jump, going three-and-out on three of their first four possessions. The other ended in a Mariota interception on a poorly thrown screen pass intended for Dexter McCluster, who had a team-high 12 yards rushing on four carries.
“I should have just eaten the ball,” Mariota said, “instead of putting our team in a bad spot.”
Ryan Fitzpatrick, a journeyman and former Titans quarterback, tossed his first of three touchdowns on New York’s opening possession while leading the Jets (8-5) to their third straight victory, keeping them in the thick of the AFC wild card race.
In addition to the long touchdown to Marshall shortly before halftime, which had fans and national media outlets snickering on social media — “When things get ugly, it gets ugly,” linebacker Brian Orakpo said — Fitzpatrick threw 16-yard touchdowns to wide receiver Eric Decker and running back Bilal Powell.
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Decker scored on the Jets’ first possession, when they marched 80 yards in 14 plays, converting three third downs along the way. Powell’s touchdown gave New York a 20-0 lead with about 4½ minutes remaining in the first half. He ran past cornerbacks Coty Sensabaugh and B.W. Webb and was barely bumped by corner Perrish Cox as he crossed the goal line.
"No doubt, it was a head of steam,” Cox said. “By the time I turned around he was already basically there. If I would have shot to cut his legs, he would have fell in the end zone at the same time. It would have been a tough tackle.”
Mariota, with only veteran Harry Douglas and three rookies among his available wide receivers, had one of the worst passing games of his pro career. He completed 21 of 39 passes for 274 yards, the pick and a 65.5 passer rating, his lowest in 11 career starts.
The majority of that production came in the second half, after the result of the game had essentially been decided.
“We just didn’t execute,” Douglas said. “We didn’t do the things we needed to do to be productive in any phase.”
The Jets had 10 first downs before the Titans moved the chains, and outgained Tennessee 157 yards to 32 in the first quarter. Mariota hit Dorial Green-Beckham for a 27-yard gain, his first completion, on the final play of the frame, and finished the first half just 6 of 14 for 76 yards and a 30.7 passer rating.
The Titans didn’t pick up another first down until they trailed 20-0.
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The Jets, meanwhile, owned a 17-4 advantage in first downs, had outgained the Titans 324 yards to 72 and held a 9½-minute lead in time of possession.
“There were some loafs,” Mularkey said, “which we’ll correct. But as far as effort, I thought it picked up in the second half.”
Delanie Walker had seven catches for 71 yards, bringing his season total to 74 catches, to set the Titans single-season franchise record for a tight end. He’s surpassed the previous record of 70 catches — set by Frank Wycheck in 1998 and 2000 — with three games to play.
Walker declined to speak with reporters after the game.
Jets kicker Randy Bullock hit field goals from 47, 42 and 27 yards. He missed from 53.
The Titans didn’t cross midfield until a 28-yard catch by McCluster gave them a first down at the New York 41 with 4:16 remaining in the third quarter.
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Moments later, Mariota lined up wide right, sped down the sideline and hauled in the touchdown catch from Andrews at about the 15-yard line. Jets safety Calvin Pryor, who gave Mariota an eight-yard cushion at the snap, fell trying to keep up with him. McCluster caught a short pass for the two-point conversion.
On the next drive, in the fourth quarter, Douglas had a 51-yard catch and run to the New York 34. On first down, Mariota was sacked by Leonard Williams. Before the next play, receiver Andrew Turzilli was called for a false start, creating a second and 22, when Mariota fumbled on a sack by Muhammad Wilkerson, but recovered, pushing the Titans back onto their side of the 50.
On third and 30, a short pass to Phillip Supernaw picked up 16 yards. On fourth and 14, Mariota was sacked by Demario Davis.
The Jets gained possession, but were in control all along.
Reach Jason Wolf at jwolf@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter at @JasonWolf and on Instagram at TitansBeat.
