CLEVELAND -- A week after a stunning debut in Tampa Bay, Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota struggled through the first half in Cleveland, where the Titans trail the Browns 21-0.
Mariota connected on eight of 16 attempts for 71 yards, absorbing three sacks and connecting on nothing longer than 13 yards. He was off the mark at times and under pressure a great deal. On the last play of first quarter, Mariota was sacked by John Hughes and lost his helmet and his shoe.
The Titans have been shut out in the half five times since the start of last season. That's the most in the NFL over that span.
A week ago he hit four touchdown passes before intermission in the Titans' blowout win in Tampa Bay.
He’s lost a fumble against the Browns, as did running back Terrance West, and the Titans couldn’t get anything going with eight penalties that cost them 80 yards.
The pressure has changed everything for Mariota, who’s rarely had time to drop back and survey the field as he did a week ago. He’s run twice for 14 yards, once on a scramble for 12 that earned what could have been a key first down. More often he’s been moving in the pocket seeking relief and failing to find it.
Left guard Chance Warmack left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury, adding to the uncertainty of the offensive line. Veteran Jamon Meredith replaced him.
