Titans tight end Delanie Walker said that the team's late slip gave too many chances for the Rams offense to shine. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee
Grading the Titans' performance in their 27-23 loss against the Rams on Sunday at Nissan Stadium:
Rushing offense: C-
DeMarco Murray rushed for a team-high 48 yards on 15 carries and scored on a six-yard run to tie the score at 20-20 late in the third quarter. He was helped off the field late in the game and will have an MRI on his right knee. Titans coach Mike Mularkey said it “didn’t look good.” Derrick Henry had 25 yards on eight carries and Marcus Mariota added 24 yards on three carries. The Titans combined for 97 rushing yards on 26 carries against the NFL’s 24th-ranked rush defense. The Rams were allowing an average of more than 120 rushing yards per game.
![Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) walks off the]()
1 of 130![Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) watches]()
2 of 130![Titans head coach Mike Mularkey walks off the field]()
3 of 130![Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan (77) and center]()
4 of 130![Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) leaves the field]()
5 of 130![Titans linebacker Jayon Brown (55) and wide receiver]()
6 of 130![Titans linebacker Avery Williamson (54) leaves the]()
7 of 130![Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Titans quarterback]()
8 of 130![Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) watches the closing]()
9 of 130![Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) slaps hands with]()
10 of 130![Rams running back Malcolm Brown (34) signs a jersey]()
11 of 130![Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) signs a jersey]()
12 of 130![Former USC players Rams wide receiver Robert Woods]()
13 of 130![Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (18) scores in the fourth]()
14 of 130![Rams linebacker Robert Quinn (94) grabs onro Titans]()
15 of 130![Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) tries to get past]()
16 of 130![Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for yardage]()
17 of 130![Rams linebacker Robert Quinn (94) gets a hand on Titans]()
18 of 130![Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) just misses a]()
19 of 130![Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (18) can't make the]()
20 of 130![Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (99) pressures]()
21 of 130![Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) is pushed out]()
22 of 130![Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws on the]()
23 of 130![Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) celebrates]()
24 of 130![A Rams fan celebrates in the fourth quarter at Nissan]()
25 of 130![Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) is helped off]()
26 of 130![Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) defends himself]()
27 of 130![Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) hands off to Rams]()
28 of 130![Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) prepares to stiff]()
29 of 130![Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (18) makes a catch in]()
30 of 130![A Titans fan yells for his team during the second half]()
31 of 130![Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) reaches for]()
32 of 130![Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs for a]()
33 of 130![Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) congratulates]()
34 of 130![Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) scores in the]()
35 of 130![Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) presses Rams]()
36 of 130![Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) breaks up a pass intended]()
37 of 130![Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) celebrates breaking]()
38 of 130![Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) makes a catch]()
39 of 130![Titans place kicker Ryan Succop (4) kicks a field goal]()
40 of 130![Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) pulls away]()
41 of 130![Rams linebacker Cory Littleton (58) tries to tackle]()
42 of 130![Rams running back Malcolm Brown (34) is tackled by]()
43 of 130![Titans place kicker Ryan Succop (4) is congratulated]()
44 of 130![Rams wide receiver Sammy Watkins (12) is celebrates]()
45 of 130![Rams wide receiver Sammy Watkins (12) is congratulated]()
46 of 130![Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) forces Rams running]()
47 of 130![Rams wide receiver Sammy Watkins (12) pulls in a touchdown]()
48 of 130![Rams wide receiver Sammy Watkins (12) scores on a touchdown]()
49 of 130![The Rams celebrate their touchdown during the third]()
50 of 130![A Titans fan is decked out for Christmas during the]()
51 of 130![Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) gets a first]()
52 of 130![Titans place kicker Ryan Succop (4) misses a field]()
53 of 130![Titans head coach Mike Mularkey watches the team during]()
54 of 130![Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) picks up his]()
55 of 130![Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan (77) tries to]()
56 of 130![Titans place kicker Ryan Succop (4) celebrates his]()
57 of 130![Rams running back Todd Gurley II (30) runs in a touchdown]()
58 of 130![Rams running back Todd Gurley II (30) scores past Titans]()
59 of 130![Rams running back Todd Gurley II (30) is congratulated]()
60 of 130![Rams running back Todd Gurley II (30) runs in a touchdown]()
61 of 130![Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) sits on the sidelines]()
62 of 130![Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) is tackled by]()
63 of 130![Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) is tackled by]()
64 of 130![Titans cornerback Tye Smith (33) stops Rams running]()
65 of 130![Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) fumbles in the second]()
66 of 130![Rams players console kicker Sam Ficken (5) after his]()
67 of 130![Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles along]()
68 of 130![Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) pulls in a catch]()
69 of 130![Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) scoops up the]()
70 of 130![Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) scoops up the]()
71 of 130![Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (99) sacks Rams]()
72 of 130![Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (99) sacks Rams]()
73 of 130![Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) celebrates his]()
74 of 130![Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hands off to]()
75 of 130![Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) is tackled in]()
76 of 130![Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) reaches for the]()
77 of 130![Titans place kicker Ryan Succop (4) celebrates his]()
78 of 130![Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) is wrapp3ed]()
79 of 130![Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (22) can't quite hang]()
80 of 130![Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) sits on the field]()
81 of 130![Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) gets a first]()
82 of 130![Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) is sacked to]()
83 of 130![Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) is stopped after]()
84 of 130![Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) reaches for extra]()
85 of 130![Titans place kicker Ryan Succop (4) kicks a field goal]()
86 of 130![Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) congratulates Rams]()
87 of 130![Titans cornerback Demontre Hurst (30) heads to the]()
88 of 130![Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) congratulates Rams]()
89 of 130![Rams linebacker Cory Littleton (58) pulls down an interception]()
90 of 130![Titans cornerback Curtis Riley (35) gets a hand on]()
91 of 130![Rams running back Todd Gurley II (30) leaps over Titans]()
92 of 130![Rams running back Todd Gurley II (30) leaps over Titans]()
93 of 130![Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws early in the]()
94 of 130![Titans head coach Mike Mularkey walks the sidelines]()
95 of 130![Rams wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (10) is tackled inn]()
96 of 130![Rams wide receiver Sammy Watkins (12) is tackled Titans]()
97 of 130![Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (18) pulls down a first-down]()
98 of 130![Lee Greenwood sings the National Anthem before the]()
99 of 130![The Titans listen to the National Anthem before the]()
100 of 130![Rams running back Todd Gurley II (30) runs for yardage]()
101 of 130![The Titans enter the field at Nissan Stadiium on Dec.]()
102 of 130![A fan cheers the Titans before the game at Nissan Stadium]()
103 of 130![Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) warms up before]()
104 of 130![Titans offiensive coordinator Terry Robiskie watches]()
105 of 130![Titans center Ben Jones (60) and center Brian Schwenke]()
106 of 130![Titans offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie and general]()
107 of 130![Titans linebacker Erik Walden (93) warms up before]()
108 of 130![Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) warms up before]()
109 of 130![The Titans quarterbacks huddle before the game at Nissan]()
110 of 130![Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up before]()
111 of 130![Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) warms up before]()
112 of 130![Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) warms up]()
113 of 130![The Titans huddle before the game at Nissan Stadium]()
114 of 130![Titans safety Da'Norris Searcy (21) wamrs up before]()
115 of 130![Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) makes a one-handed]()
116 of 130![Titans defensive backs huddle during warmups at Nissan]()
117 of 130![T-Rac in a Santa Suit before Titans and Rams game at]()
118 of 130![Dylan Stevens from Kathryn, ND, wears ornaments on]()
119 of 130![Titans place kicker Ryan Succop (4) signs autographs]()
120 of 130![Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) makes a catch during]()
121 of 130![Titans safety Da'Norris Searcy (21) warms up before]()
122 of 130![Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) warms up before]()
123 of 130![Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) heads off the]()
124 of 130![Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) signs autographs]()
125 of 130![Kris, Kannon, Turner, Drew and Kara Blalock from Franklin,]()
126 of 130![Nathan Valliere from Toronto, Canada, plays Jenga before]()
127 of 130![Hayden Armstrong age 5 from Madisonville, TN stays]()
128 of 130![T-Rac poses with Brody Prosise and Ethan jacks from]()
129 of 130![Michael Valliere from Toronto, Canada before the Titans]()
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► More: Titans play up vs. Rams, but playing down is why they're in this spot
Passing offense: C-
Marcus Mariota's first pass attempt was intercepted near midfield by linebacker Cory Littleton, leading to the Rams’ first touchdown, and his comeback bid fell short after Delanie Walker crossed midfield on a 12-yard catch with 2:05 to play. The next four plays were all passes — three of them incomplete, including on fourth-and-4. Mariota completed 22 of 39 attempts for 275 yards, the pick and a 67.8 passer rating. He had three third-down passes either tipped or batted. Corey Davis had six catches for a team- and career-high 91 receiving yards. Eric Decker had six catches for 73 yards.
► More: Gurley runs wild in Rams' win over Titans
Rushing defense: C
Todd Gurley rushed for 118 yards on 22 carries, but was held out of the end zone, at least on the ground. It marked the second time in three weeks an opponent rushed for more than 100 yards against the Titans' typically stout run defense. Gurley’s 34-yard run in the third quarter tied for the Rams’ second-longest play of the game. Later in the drive, a 10-yard run on fourth-and-1 set up a short touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Sammy Watkins, giving the Rams a 20-13 lead. Jurrell Casey blew up a running play in the second quarter, knocking the ball from Goff’s hands deep in Rams territory. It was recovered by Wesley Woodyard, who scored a touchdown to give the Titans a 10-6 lead, which they held for less than a minute.
Titans head coach Mike Mularkey and quarterback Marcus Mariota explain their 27-24 loss against the Los Angeles Rams at Nissan Stadium on Dec. 24, 2017. George Walker IV / The Tennessean
Titans tight end Delanie Walker said that the team's late slip gave too many chances for the Rams offense to shine. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee
Titans safety Kevin Byard told members of the media following the 27-23 loss that it was frustrating since the Titans haven been better in late-game situations earlier this season. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee
Joe Rexrode and Jason Wolf explain how this loss to the Rams makes the Titans' NFL playoff push that much harder. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee
Avery Williamson, Titans linebacker, told members of the media that the team isn't counting out Jacksonville based on previous encounters. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee
Autumn Allison and Jason Wolf discuss the playoff implications for the Titans in today's contest against the Rams. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee
Titans free safety Kevin Byard, a former MTSU star, was named a Pro Bowl alternate despite leading the fan voting at his position. Jason Wolf / The Tennessean, USA TODAY Network - Tennessee
Titans beat reporter Jason Wolf explains what it will take for the Titans to make the playoffs. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee
Mariota, Mularkey on Titans' loss to Rams
Walker: 'Can't do that when playing the Rams'
Byard calls Titans loss to Rams 'frustrating'
Rexrode and Wolf recap Titans' 27-23 loss to the Rams
'No carry over from week to week' says Williamson on Jaguars
Titans need win against Rams to keep playoff hopes alive
Titans' Kevin Byard: Pro Bowl snub surprising, adds motivation
How the Titans can make the NFL playoffs
Passing defense: D
The Titans were without two of their top three cornerbacks — Logan Ryan was inactive with an ankle injury and LeShaun Sims was placed on injured reserve earlier this week with a hamstring injury — leaving them to start Adoree’ Jackson, Brice McCain and Tye Smith. Goff and Gurley had a field day. Goff completed 22 of 38 passes for 301 yards, four touchdowns and a 118.4 rating. Gurley caught 10 of 13 targets for 158 yards and two touchdowns, including a screen pass he took 80 yards to the end zone. Cooper Kupp had four catches for 65 yards and the game-winning touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Watkins also added a score in the third. The Titans defense registered five quarterback hits and one team sack.
Special teams: B+
What happened on that surprise onside kick? The Titans appeared to have recovered it after Murray’s touchdown in the third quarter, but were told the officials hadn’t spotted the ball for play. Ryan Succop said that not only was the ball spotted, but he saw the official give a signal to begin play — and saw the play clock running — before the kickoff. Succop hit three of four field goals for Tennessee, connecting from 25, 37 and 27 yards and missing from 45. Jackson returned a kickoff 57 yards out of the end zone to the Rams 44, setting up a short field, which the Titans turned into Murray’s touchdown, tying the game at 20-20 with 4 ½ minutes remaining in the third quarter. Brett Kern ended up on his backside twice — no flags were thrown — but also managed a 62-yard punt to pin the Rams at their own 8 with 10 minutes to play. The Titans also defended a Rams fake punt in the first quarter. Curtis Riley knocked down a Johnny Hekker pass attempt into the end zone.
Coaching: B
Mularkey had his first two successful challenges of the season, both on spot calls. The Titans’ no-huddle offense was effective on two drives in the second half, leading to 10 points. But they could have been more aggressive by running a play inside the 10-yard line at the end of the third quarter, rather than letting the clock expire. Tennessee caught the Rams completely off-guard with the surprise onside kick that oddly didn’t stand. It was a great call.
Reach Jason Wolf at jwolf@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter at @JasonWolf and on Instagram and Snapchat at TitansBeat.