Titans lost the AFC South lead and it’s largely because of this failed fake punt

The Tennessee Titans kept the Arizona Cardinals offense out of the end zone the whole game on Sunday, which made the decision to fake a punt in the third quarter odd and made the play a disaster when it was stuffed. At the end of a 12-7 loss to the Cardinals that dropped the Titans out of the AFC South lead, the coaching mistake loomed large.

With under eight minutes left in the third quarter and the Titans protecting a 7-3 lead, the team opted to try the fake with a direct snap right into the teeth of the Cardinals defensive line.

Officials originally ruled it a first down, but after a Bruce Arians challenge, the Cardinals were set up with the ball deep in Titans territory.

Being aggressive and trying to catch a team off guard is one thing, but in a game that was determined by field position and field goals made by the Cardinals, it didn’t make sense for the Titans to risk spotting Arizona so much free field. The Cardinals took advantage when the ensuing drive fizzled and they knocked through a 23-yard field goal.

Ultimately, the play isn’t the reason the Titans lost. Marcus Mariota’s struggles continued, with the quarterback finishing with 159 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. The rushing duo of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry didn’t find much success on the ground either.

After the game, Titans coach Mike Mularkey said Mariota suffered and played through a knee injury Sunday.

But the coaching decision by Mularkey afforded the Cardinals some much-needed momentum and the extra three points may have been a significant factor in the final minutes if the Titans needed just a field goal to win.

Instead, the team’s final drive ended with a turnover on downs.

The Titans fell to 8-5 with the loss and are still in great shape in the playoff race, but the setback will likely drop the team behind the Jacksonville Jaguars who are closing in on a win over the Seattle Seahawks to improve to 9-4.

Tennessee and Jacksonville are likely to play for the AFC South title in Week 17, but if the Titans don’t figure out things on offense and can’t stop shooting themselves in the foot, a good 2017 season could quickly circle the drain.