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For several years now, the specter of Jeff Fisher and his conservative offenses have seemed to hang over the Tennessee Titans. Fisher is long gone after having departed six years ago, but the Titans' offense still seemingly had scoring issues even in the aftermath.
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Ken Whisenhunt promised offensive changes two years ago, but that ended in disaster as Tennessee scored only 254 points.
The Titans were only slightly better last season, finishing with 299 points as Whisenhunt was fired about halfway through the year.
But suddenly, the Titans, who have been offensively challenged for more than a decade it seems, are potent on offense. So potent, in fact, that after putting up 47 points against Green Bay Sunday, it marked the first time in franchise history that the Titans have scored at least 35 points in three straight games.
For the year, the Titans have scored the fourth-most points in the league (264), already surpassing that woeful 2014 total in just 10 games.
There are a couple of key factors in the offensive explosion. DeMarco Murray is one big factor, as he already has 930 yards rushing behind a remade offensive line that has Tennessee third in the league in rushing yards.
But the bigger factor may be the emergence of quarterback Marcus Mariota, who had four more touchdown passes Sunday and now has 21 on the season - making him the first Titans quarterback since Steve McNair 13 years ago to have 20 in a single season.
It was a continuation of the way Mariota has played over the past several games and the numbers he has put up lately- sans the killer turnovers that doomed the Titans against the San Diego Chargers last week.
"(In) back-to-back games, important games that he knows we needed him to play at his best level, and he did. He started off with the 10 completions," Titans coach Mike Mularkey said.
Mariota is also spreading the wealth around with his receivers.
Early in the season, tight end Delanie Walker (who had 124 yards receiving Sunday) was one of the few reliable weapons. Now, the wideouts are getting involved, too. His rapport with Rishard Matthews, who has six touchdowns, has especially been impressive.
"He makes it easy on me," Mariota said. "Like today for instance, being able to beat his one-on-one defender, gives me a chance to throw that ball up to him. He's that type of player for us. He has the abilities to win those one-on-one matchups and create a lot of matchup problems for other teams."
Mularkey said the gradual process of the quarterback and receivers getting on the same page is beginning to pay off.
"Guys being in the right place, right depth, right timing. The first third down we had with Tajae (Sharpe) out there, this is basically a drop, let her go, Tajae be here in this spot. There's a hole there to hit. We're doing better outside. We're playing better out there, much more disciplined, and it's showing up on Sundays," Mularkey said.
-- Tennessee is relatively healthy for this time of year - 10 games into the season. What makes it even more remarkable is that the Titans have not yet had their bye week.
The team, according to Mularkey, should have all 53 players available to practice on Wednesday when it begins preparation for the Indianapolis Colts.
"There's really nothing to report injury-wise. We should have a full roster for practice on Wednesday. That's good news for us. For this time of the year, very good," Mularkey said.
Murray (toe) and fellow running back Derrick Henry (calf) both made it through the game Sunday and should be a full go this week.
--Left tackle Taylor Lewan got an early shower after being ejected in the first quarter for making contact with an official. Lewan had taken issue with a flagrant hit by Letroy Guion of Green Bay on Marcus Mariota and went to defend the honor of his quarterback.
Instead, after contacting an official, Lewan's day was done and Dennis Kelly came off the bench to fill in.
"I play this game with a lot of passion. I play as hard as I possibly can between the whistles. I've said this before: I would go to war for Marcus. When I saw him hit the ground, I had my eyes on the guy that did it. I was yelling at him, I was getting in his face," Lewan said.
"The ref put his hand on my chest and apparently I moved it out of the way. I didn't know it was the ref, and I really cost the team. I really could have done a lot more damage, had Dennis Kelly not come in and did a great job at left tackle."
