What to know from Titans’ nightmare in Indy
INDIANAPOLIS — In every way imaginable, it was a nightmare.
The offense was lifeless. The defense was picked apart. The starting quarterback left the game early and so did the defensive coordinator. In the end, the Titans left Lucas Oil Stadium the victims of a 38-10 bludgeoning by the Colts (5-5) on Sunday.
Here are five things to know as the Titans fell to 5-5:
Mariota leaves with elbow injury
With 16 seconds left in the first half, Marcus Mariota took a big hit from Colts defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis. The Titans quarterback remained on the ground for a few moments with an elbow injury — the same elbow he injured in Week 1 — while trainers tended to him.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel did not have an update on Mariota’s status after the game, and Mariota was not made available to the media.
Mariota was replaced by Blaine Gabbert for the final offensive play of the half. Gabbert stayed in the game while Mariota watched from the sideline.
Pees transported to hospital
Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees left in the first half and was transported to a nearby hospital with a “medical issue,” the Titans announced.
“He was tended to by medical personnel and was transported to a local hospital for further observation,” the team said in a statement.
Vrabel said Pees was evaluated and was being held overnight for tests.
Dismal day offensively
Gabbert wasn’t effective in his relief appearance of Mariota, completing 11 of 16 passes for 85 yards with a touchdown and interception. The Titans had just 263 net yards (94 of which came on their final drive in garbage time) to Indy’s 397.
Defense gashed
The Titans entered with the best scoring defense in the league, holding opponents to 16.8 points per game.
But after limiting Tom Brady and the Patriots’ surging offense to just 10 points last week, the Titans couldn’t do the same against Andrew Luck and the Colts.
The Titans allowed more than 30 points for the first time this season. Luck, who was not sacked for the fifth straight game, completed 23 of 29 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns.
Luck still undefeated vs. Titans
Luck continues to have the Titans’ number. The Colts quarterback, whom the team drafted No. 1 overall in 2012, is now 10-0 all-time against Tennessee.