NFL Playoffs: Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans Season Ends In Foxboro vs New England
The Tennessee Titans had one positive drive against the New England Patriots, but Tom Brady had the ultimate say in the outcome, a 35-14 win.
Marcus Mariota had a rough night. On the third drive of the game, he found Corey Davis in the end zone for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. The Titans Defense wilted in New England and had no answers for short passes, specifically to the Patriots Running Attack. When Brady did air it out, Titans Defenders were in a spot to make a play. Overall, it was not a good night for Titans fans.
While the team made it to the Divisional Playoff this season, there is plenty for Tennessee fans to be proud of. Marcus Mariota was healthy most of the way. His play against Kansas City where he threw a touchdown pass to himself was just the first building block for a potential Hall of Fame career in the NFL. Chemistry was built this season.
Team Chemistry that willed this team to the win at Arrowhead Stadium, but the experience of New England(and the refs) were too much to overcome.
Mariota was sacked eight times in the game. New England put the game away in the second quarter putting up 21 points and pretty much forcing the Tennessee Titans to play a one-sided game the rest of the way. Corey Davis added a second touchdown in the final minutes to make it more respectable.
It was important for the Titans to establish their run game early. New England was ready. With DeMarco Murray sidelined, Derrick Henry had just 28 yards on the ground. Mariota’s feet led the team in Rushing with 37 yards, two of them for first downs.
The offseason is an important one for the Tennessee Titans. Through the NFL Draft and Free Agency, this team can get better. They need help on Defense specifically. If they can add some speed on the edges and a key player to compliment Safety Kevin Byard, this team will be better equipped with a ground and pound team like New England.
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I do know one thing, with Marcus Mariota at the helm and the experience of this season now under his belt, things are looking up for a young group that will be hungry to get back to the NFL Playoffs next season.