Titans bench Mariota for Tannehill in shutout loss
The Tennessee Titans benched quarterback Marcus Mariota in favor of veteran Ryan Tannehill late in the third quarter of Sunday's 16-0 loss in Denver to the Broncos.
Tannehill entered with 4:56 remaining in the third quarter, the Titans' first possession after Mariota threw his second interception of the game on a heave under pressure. Justin Simmons' pick set up the Broncos' first touchdown of the game, putting Tennessee in a 13-0 hole.
"At that point in time, we're really just trying to find a way to move the football and score some points," head coach Mike Vrabel said afterward. "Our defense was forcing them to kick field goals. ... I felt like we were in the game, and we needed to find a way to score."
Vrabel declined to offer any information on who will start in Week 7 when the 2-4 Titans host the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Titans punted on their first six drives of Sunday's game, picking up a total of six first downs. Then came Mariota's first interception, to Chris Harris Jr. Tennessee knelt down to end the first half, then went three-and-out to open the second half before the second interception.
Mariota was 7 of 18 for 63 yards and the two picks, while absorbing three sacks, before being pulled.
"Took it like a pro," Vrabel said of Mariota's reaction to the benching. "I mean I think that he certainly wasn't happy, I don't think any of us were happy. When we lose, nobody's happy. We want guys who want to play."
"He just told me we needed a spark," Mariota said of Vrabel's message. "And for me, I just, again, just try to be the best team player that I can be, support my guy (Tannehill), support somebody that's supported me throughout the entire year."
Tannehill moved the Titans a bit more, going 13 of 16 for 144 yards, but it wasn't enough to avoid the shutout. Tennessee punted on Tannehill's first two possessions, then reached the red zone twice before turning it over on downs and throwing an interception. Tannehill took four sacks.
Mariota, who turns 26 on Oct. 30, is in the final year of his rookie contract after being drafted second overall by the Titans in 2015.
In five games this season before Sunday, he had completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,116 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions, putting him on pace for a career-high 7.9 yards per attempt.
Tannehill, 31, was acquired via trade from Miami this offseason. He had 88 career starts with the Dolphins, with a passer rating of 87.0.
--Field Level Media
