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          NFL Nation

          Titans' offensive line embarrassed by Jaguars in prime-time defeat

          • Turron Davenport, ESPNSep 20, 2019, 03:38 AM
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              Turron Davenport covers the Tennessee Titans for ESPN. Turron is a former collegiate football player at Cheyney University and is a native of Philadelphia, and he has authored/co-authored four books. You can catch Turron on ESPN Radio on his show "Talking with TD" and you can follow him on Twitter: @TDavenport_NFL.
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          JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Tennessee Titans continued to play lifeless football, and this time they did it in front of a national audience, losing their second game in a row to a division opponent.

          Marcus Mariota, who was 23 of 40 for 304 passing yards, was sacked nine times as the Jaguars' defensive line dominated the Titans in a 20-7 loss Thursday night. Mariota was pressured a career-high 18 times, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

          Penalties (nine for 101 yards) didn't help, either. Instead of rebounding from a tough Week 2 loss to the Colts, the Titans (1-2) now find themselves reeling.

          Describe the game in two words: Dumpster fire. The Titans couldn't get much of anything going against the Jaguars. The offense scored only one touchdown.

          Pivotal play: The Titans kept their opponent from scoring on the opening drive for the first time this season. However, Adoree' Jackson promptly got the Jaguars back on course when he muffed a punt at the Titans' 7-yard line. Jacksonville capitalized when Gardner Minshew found a wide-open James O'Shaughnessy for a touchdown.

          Troubling trend: Sacks. The Browns and Colts each got Mariota four times in the first two games of the season before the Jaguars went wild. Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell had his way with Jamil Douglas, Ben Jones and anyone else who was in his path, recording three sacks. Rookie pass-rusher Josh Allen had two sacks, and overpowered Jack Conklin most of the night. The offensive linemen, specifically Douglas, must do some soul-searching, because if they continue to play like this, Mariota won't last the season.

          QB breakdown: Mariota struggled, but he was under constant duress. There were a few standout passes, highlighted by a 47-yard completion to Tajae Sharpe, who beat Jalen Ramsey. Mariota stood tall in the pocket and stared down the barrel of the pass rush to deliver throws to Delanie Walker that led to first downs. He and Walker almost connected for a touchdown in the third quarter, but the pass was tipped. Mariota wasn't the issue Thursday; trying to block Campbell was.