Titans coach Mike Mularkey downplays win over former team

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans finally got the monkey of a home losing streak off their backs. The Titans had lost 11 in a row at home dating back to last season before edging the Jaguars on Sunday.

In fact, it's a good thing the Titans have the Jaguars around, because their last win before the losing skid began was against Jacksonville back on Oct. 12, 2014.

Players believed the win was important to Mike Mularkey, their interim coach who guided the Jaguars in 2012, for a couple of reasons - one, Mularkey needs to win to enhance his chances of keeping the Tennessee job; and two, it was against a team that fired him after one season.

Mularkey, however, said the win was important for the players and the organization.

"I think they thought it was important for me to win because of my previous history with the other team. I told them last night, no, it was important to win for all of us in the room, the coaching staff and the players, because of how hard we work. That's why I want to win," Mularkey said. "That's why this is so much better of a feel, because I know how important it was to all those guys in that room."

--Receiver Dorial Green-Beckham had a bit of a rough start Sunday, allowing a Marcus Mariota pass to go through his hands for a Davon House interception. But the rookie redeemed himself in a big way, catching five passes for 119 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown reception from Mariota in the third quarter.

After shaking off the mistake, Green-Beckham said his focus was much better.

"I felt like I came out and executed on every route. I was focusing on the catch more than I was focusing on the yards after. I knew I had to make the catch," Green-Beckham said.

NOTES: Quarterback Marcus Mariota had an 87-yard run for a touchdown on a scramble and wound up with 112 yards rushing on nine carries. That made him the Titans' first 100-yard rusher in a game since Chris Johnson in the 2013 season finale, a span of 28 games. Mariota also was 20 of 29 passing for 268 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. ... Linebacker Derrick Morgan (shoulder) sat out a second straight game on Sunday, as the Titans are trying to strengthen the muscles around his injured shoulder in hopes that he can play again before the season ends. ... Defensive tackle Al Woods (ankle) returned to the lineup and played on Sunday, backing up Sammie Hill at the nose tackle position. ... Running back Dexter McCluster (knee) missed his second straight game on Sunday with a sprained MCL. He did some running on Monday and might have a chance to play this week.