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Not a typo: Ravens get more sacks than Marcus Mariota has completions in Baltimore shutout

Marcus Mariota has missed seven games to injury in his NFL career, which began in 2015, including one game already this season.

So protecting him is of utmost importance for the Tennessee Titans. But that’s not exactly what happened on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

11 sacks, 10 completions

Not only were the Titans – who began the day as the AFC South leader – shut out by the Ravens at home, 21-0, Mariota was battered all day.

The fourth-year quarterback was sacked 11 times, with eight Ravens collecting at least one sack.

Ravens defensive end Chris Wormley was one of eight players to sack the Titans’ Marcus Mariota on Sunday. Baltimore had 11 total in a dominating victory in Nashville. (AP)
Ravens defensive end Chris Wormley was one of eight players to sack the Titans’ Marcus Mariota on Sunday. Baltimore had 11 total in a dominating victory in Nashville. (AP)

Linebacker Za’Darius Smith led the way with a hat trick, getting to Mariota early: he took Mariota down on the Titans’ first possession, on a third-and-long play to force a punt. In the second quarter, Smith strip-sacked Mariota, though the quarterback recovered the ball.

Smith got Baltimore’s 11th and final sack on the Titans’ last offensive snap.

“It was a combination of a lot of different things; I can do a better job of stepping up in the pocket. I put our guys in a bad spot trying to run around too much,” Mariota said.

Making matters worse? Mariota had only 10 completions in the game. He was 10-of-15 for 117 yards.

In addition to the 11 takedowns, the official gamebook says Mariota was hit nine other times.

Ravens first team with 11 sacks since 2012

It has been nearly six years since a team had 11 or more sacks – the San Diego Chargers were the last to total that many, on Dec. 23, 2012 against the New York Jets. The Chargers won that game, 27-17.

Sunday’s mark also set a team record for Baltimore, a franchise that has always prided itself on defense.

The single-game record for sacks is 12, which has been done seven times, most recently by the New York Giants against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 30, 2007.

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