Tennessee Titans: Bad Luck Beats Bad Fitzpatrick

The Titans played a must win game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but failed to come away with the victory.

If you look at the stat lines or even watched the game, you would have left un-enamored with the the somehow 8-4 Colt's and their oft heralded signal caller Andrew Luck.

• Andrew Luck was 17/32, 200 yards , 0 TDs, 1 Int, and 59.4 passer rating.
• The Titans held the ball for 33:55 of the game while the Colt's only had 26:05 of offense.
• The Titans had 24 first downs compared to the Colts 18, and converted twice as many of their 3rd downs.
• The Colts were outgained in yardage both in the air as well as on the ground by a total of 347 - 264.
• The defense was able to get 5 sacks and 7 hits on Andrew Luck and a number of batted balls as well.
• The Colt's rushing attack was held to just 74 yards on 19 carries by their running backs.

The one missing stat line above? Turnovers.

Say what you will about this coaching staff's overall record, or even worse their 0-4 division record, but this one can't be put on them. The game plan was sound and the players were constantly put in position to make plays. They just couldn't overcome 3 interceptions and a fumble by their quarterback.

The defense played well for the most part and consistently gave the ball back to the offense who couldn't put points on the board. Outside of a couple wide open Coby Fleener plays, the defensive game plan was exactly what it needed to be. They stopped the run and harassed Luck in the pocket, forcing him to make errant throws and get the ball out quick to receivers who weren't open.

The Colt's offense was given an extra 4 drives off turnovers and even so the defense held the Colt's to field goals and only one touchdown.

On offense the game plan was great and the play calling sound. The run game wasn't ground breaking, but a 3.9 yard average by the backs kept the defense honest and the chains moving. Receivers were open constantly as the Colt's defense seemed to be on their heels for most of the game.

The problem, unfortunately was the quarterback.

Fitzpatrick was shaky from the start with his accuracy. After it seemed he had started to settle down in the first quarter, the bad decisions began. Whether due to an errant throw, a missed read, or simply not seeing a defender sitting down in the zone, Fitzpatricks interceptions were too much to constantly overcome.

As it often is in the NFL, games come down to quarterback play. The Titans were the better team on the field Sunday except for the one spot where it matters, points on the board. Andrew Luck played poorly. Ryan Fitzpatrick somehow played worse.