With the Titans currently ranked 27th in the NFL in total offense, quarterback Marcus Mariota has to do more than just throw passes.
He has to make plays, whether it’s throwing the ball on a fake punt to help keep his team in field goal range or finding a way to run the ball down the field and find open receivers.
The Titans offense is ranked 31st in total defense, allowing opponents to score at least 21 points per game and average over 35 points per contest.
And if that doesn’t convince you, consider how the Titans rank in scoring defense.
The team ranks 21st in points allowed per game (34.4), while the Titans defense is just 20th (30.8).
Mariota, of course, also needs to throw better than he did in his two seasons with the Browns, but the Titans’ offensive line, led by left tackle Ryan Kelly, has been pretty good this season.
With Kelly returning from offseason shoulder surgery, the Titans are averaging 7.3 sacks per game, second-most in the league.
Kelly also is second among all NFL offensive tackles with 7.0 quarterback hurries per game.
The defense has also played a big part in the Titans getting wins in the last two games.
After allowing a touchdown on its opening drive, Tennessee held the Chiefs to just three points in the second half, winning 30-23.
The first-half win came on the Titans opening drive when linebacker Anthony Barr sacked quarterback Deshaun Watson and then returned the ensuing kickoff to the Titans 40.
That gave Mariota his second touchdown of the game, giving the Titans a 28-20 lead.
The game was close throughout, but in the end, Mariota threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns to give the Titans an 18-10 lead at halftime.
Tennessee went on to win the game 23-20, with Barr finishing with two sacks and seven tackles.
The second half was also good, with Mariota throwing for 286 yards and two touchdowns and Kelly with three tackles.
Kelly is averaging a team-high 5.3 quarterback hurrys per game this season and has two sacks, and he’s one of the top pass-rushers in the game.
With Mariota playing like he’s in his prime, the Tennessee defense will have to be more aggressive.
But he has shown he can also be an effective quarterback in the past.
Mariota also had a solid rookie season in 2016, with his 3,921 yards and 30 touchdowns ranking sixth all time among active quarterbacks.
If the Titans can turn things around, they will likely be one of two teams to win their division this season, along with the Jaguars.
–Follow Mike Reiss on Twitter @MikeReiss.
