Red Zone Offense Unlocks Marcus Mariota

Marcus Mariota
Tennessee Titans Quarterback Marcus Mariota - Under Creative Commons License

Through three quarters the Tennessee Titans offense couldn’t solve the Jaguars revamped defense. It appeared that Mularkey’s play calling would once again stymie the potential of this team. Derrick Henry and DeMarco Murray had to carry the load as Marcus Mariota had a tough time trying to find any open receivers for most of the game.

The Jaguars had success once again using Leonard Fournette to pound the ball up field (eventually scoring in garbage time). The Titans defense kept Blake Bortles from finding any targets. Both defenses forced an interception from the opposing quarterbacks and the first half became defined by field goals and punts. The second half was a different story as Mariota found his groove and the red zone offense enabled the Titans to take control of the game.

The second half of the game saw Bortles once again throwing a pick to start the half and that lead to yet another field goal. After that the Titans offense hit the NAS button and never looked back. Mariota hit Delanie Walker for a seventeen yard touchdown, and in the red zone Derrick Henry ran it in for a touchdown.

The Jaguars already stagnant offense proved to be on life support. Mariota once again hit a receiver for a long pass to Taywan Taylor, and Delanie Walker would score on a one-yard run. The Titans would score two more times to put the game away. The reason for their success came from the fact that as the field got shorter the Titans were able to be more creative.

Due to the fact that Mariota can run the ball, teams have to worry about the quarterback draw as well as him throwing lasers. The offensive line and running game keep defenses honest enough to allow Mariota to be elusive and he returns the favor by making defenses keep an eye on him.

The Titans rushing attack was the star of the show as Mariota only threw for one score but this formula works. The Jaguars defense was no joke and the Titans were able to solve them. Next week brings a unique challenge against a Seattle defense whose reputation proceeds them. The Titans defense should feast on a beleaguered Seahawks offensive line but time will tell if Tennessee can replicate their red zone success.