Titans' coach Mike Mularkey defends 4 Marcus Mariota picks against Steelers

Mike Organ
The Tennessean
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles out of the pocket as he throws during the second half at Heinz Field Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Titans coach Mike Mularkey found himself having to defend his quarterback Marcus Mariota on Friday in the aftermath of Thursday night's 40-17 loss at Pittsburgh.

Mariota threw a career-high four interceptions, wiping out any chance the Titans had of coming back in a game in which they trailed by just six points at the end of the third quarter.

More:Marcus Mariota lets it get away from him in Pittsburgh

"Nobody ever talks about how accurate (Mariota) is with some of the throws that he does make," Mularkey said. "All (the media) keeps asking are about the throws he doesn't. There's a lot of good throws that he makes every Sunday in very, very tight window throws."

Mariota threw six interceptions through the first nine games. With a total of 10 now, he has exceeded the total number of interceptions (9) he had in 2016. He also has more interceptions than touchdowns (8). 

The miscues this season, however, have not diminished Mularkey's confidence in Mariota in any way.

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The coach said his third-year quarterback is still progressing at a pace at which he is pleased, especially with the heavy load that has been placed on Mariota at this stage in his career.

"We're asking him to do a lot; I mean a lot more than I've been around," Mularkey said. "We trust him to do that. I'm glad he's our quarterback. I know this, we still have a chance to win every game with him no matter what the score is or where it is in the game."

Mariota completed 22 of 33 passes for 306 yards with a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown.

The 75-yard scoring toss to Rishard Matthews, which came on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, was the longest TD pass of Mariota’s career. His previous long TD pass was a 61-yarder on Nov. 8, 2015 at New Orleans.

More:Titans report card: Marcus Mariota's 4 INTs highlight massive flop vs Steelers

Tight end Delanie Walker dropped a near-perfect pass from Mariota in the end zone. 

Still, Mariota, who was sacked five times, accepted blame for each of the interceptions he threw against the Steelers, saying he made poor decision on each throw.

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) walks off the field after being sacked in the third quarter at Heinz Field Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mularkey, however, said only the first interception was solely Mariota's fault. Mularkey said the ball "sailed" on Mariota on that throw.

Mularkey said there were several other factors that cost the Titans. 

He pointed to nine penalties for 65 yards as a significant issue.

More:Marcus Mariota lets it get away from him in Pittsburgh

"We probably had the most penalties that we've had in weeks," Mularkey said. "That was disappointing. It was uncharacteristic of us after cleaning up a lot of things leading up to that game."

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 and on Twitter@MikeOrganWriter.