Mariota suffers leg injury, Titans lose big to division rival Jaguars

Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles threw for an efficient, productive 325 yards and a touchdown, turning in his best performance of the season as the Jaguars beat the Tennessee Titans 38-17 in front of 59,621 at EverBank Field on Saturday afternoon.

That dream was threatened on Saturday as Mariota was tackled from behind and carted off with an air cast affixed to his damaged right leg. A young team with a lot of promise.

It’ll also prove to be a significant blow to the Titans offense moving forward. The last time Tennessee looked this formidable, Jeff Fisher was the Titans head coach. Mariota signalled to the sideline as he pounded the ground. If the Titans lose today and the Texans win tonight, Houston would win the division.

Maybe, but he’s unlikely to give the Titans the same passing-running combination Mariota did. Jacksonville outgained Tennessee 415 to 263 while picking up six more first downs.

The letdown was worsened following Mariota’s injury, which abruptly ended his breakout season. Prior to being injured, Mariota was 8/20 with a touchdown and a handful of rushing yards.

The Titans were ineffective from the start in Jacksonville.

Jaguars: Visit Indianapolis to wrap up the worst season in franchise history.

With Saturday’s loss, the Texans can clinch the AFC South title by beating the Bengals on Saturday night.

Jacksonville (3-12) played inspired football, partly because popular coach Gus Bradley was sacked six days earlier and partly because the Titans embarrassed them on national television in late October.

The injury was a tough break for Mariota, and several teammates and some Jaguars had words of encouragement for him before he was carted to the locker room. And it’s possible that not only will Tennessee’s playoff hopes rest on how he does, but also potentially the Colts’ playoff hopes as well.

All of which underscores a greater truth. He and the Titans were not playing very well and trailed 25-10 when Mariota went down. The steps he took in 2016 suggest he can become such a player, but they don’t represent a guarantee.

-The Jaguars didn’t sack Mariota or force a turnover in the loss.

But that remains speculation for the time being.