How much did it change the complexion of the game when you didn't connect on the field goal at the end of the half? Then they score, you go three and out, and they score again.
"It really didn't change anything besides the scoreboard. We kept the same plan, and everything worked just how we wanted. We just got behind. When you put yourself in bad situations, you have to always play hurry-up instead of playing how you really want to play."
What happened on that missed pass to WR Van Jefferson down on the sideline?
"Just overthrew it. Tried to put it too much outside of his shoulder instead of just throwing it upfield."
Do you feel like you were rushed on that throw at all?
"I need to look at the film and see, but at the end of the day I need to put it in the vicinity for him to make a play."
Playing from behind most of the game, how do you evaluate how the day went?
"It was good besides the three and outs. Those were the biggest thing. That's what hurt us the whole game, not starting fast in the first half and second half. Then, I think just the little mishaps on my end, from a run play only getting one yard. It's just the little things that we have to continue to clean up. But I think we're playing very good, especially up front. Those guys, they've been leading the way the whole year. I think they did an unbelievable job in pass protection today and the run game. They're the reason why we've been able to run the ball efficiently."
Do you think those two factors are key to finding point production again, and how big is that in terms of where you guys are growing as an offense?
"I think it's big. And the offensive line, they're going to always be the standpoint of it. They come in each and every day with the right mindset whether they know they did bad one week and have to do better than the next, or they continue to stay having good days. Playing behind those guys, they never lose confidence, they continuously pick themselves up, and they continuously try to be better for all of us. It's good for me to be around guys like that, us young guys. We have veteran players on the offensive line as well and they just stay level-headed so we can execute one play at a time."
We noticed a complimentary deal. Did the defense say anything today? Obviously, they had a hard time defending on third down. Did you guys have any back and forth?
"I think the offense as a whole, we don't need to put them in that situation. Having a three-and-out, we're not giving them any momentum to get a stop. Come out, have another three-and-out, we're not giving them momentum to get another stop. And then to get in second-and-long a couple times, it's kind of like dang. So we just have to continue to try and not put them in bad situations to where they don't have to stay on the field for ten or fifteen play drives. So if we just do our end, everything else works out."
You talk a lot about your offensive line, and you came in today as the most sacked quarterback in the league. Today you had no QB hits and a no sack day. What did that feel like to stay upright and how did that keep the momentum for you?
"It felt good for me. And for those guys, I know it felt good because they truly come out every week and try not to give up sacks and try not to have negative plays. So for those guys to have as good of a day that they did, they deserve it. We have to continue to ride behind those guys, continue to motivate them, and let them keep us going."
The last two weeks there have been better offensive outputs running the football. How much do you feel like the identity of this offense kind of shifts towards being a physical run team?
"I think we are shifting towards that. Each and every week, we get better at something in the run game. It's the little thing that's probably the reason why we haven't had big plays in the last couple games, but the last two weeks have been good because everyone's emphasizing straining and finishing blocks. And the running backs are seeing it real well. I think [Tennessee Titans RB] Tony [Pollard] and [Tennessee Titans RB] Tyjae [Spears] had a good day on the ground. I think they did a good job in pass protection today, and now we just have to continue to not let one bad play happen and really just try to have good plays."
Can you take us to the two deep shots?
"The first one was a good game plan from Tennessee Titans quarterback coach Bo Hardegree and offensive coordinator Nick Holz. We saw what the San Francisco 49ers give up on film in empty situations. The other one was Van made an incredible catch. I didn't get a chance to follow through as much as I did, but he went up there and got the ball. He made the play for his teammates."
Can you talk about the touchdown to Tennessee Titans DL Jeffery Simmons and how you were able to avoid trouble on that.
"Jeff is a smart football player and he's going to find a way to get over. He got by one player to get a touchdown. It was fun to throw a touchdown like that to the defensive tackle, that's not supposed to look like that. At the end of the day, that's Jeff and the O-Line giving me enough time for those guys to make a play."
I assume he's not the first read on that.
"He's the first read on that, but the San Francisco 49ers cover it pretty good. He had to turn to make a play."
Did he campaign to have a play like that?
"He had been waiting out for us call him out though. He got a chance to catch the ball. He's not going drop it. I just got to make sure it's in his body frame. And then you saw what he did when he got the ball."
It looked like he knew exactly where to go to and you were running around back there. You guys work on that at all?
"Not one time. He's a football player. He can sense space. He sees me all the time. We've got guys like that who just can play football when plays break down. It's going to end up helping our team in the long run."
Is it disappointing for you not go up against Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, who you look up to next week?
"I heard about it when I got back after the game. It's sad because since he's got in the league, he's always been productive every year, whether it's a down year for him or an up year. Not getting an opportunity to go against him, everything happens for a reason. God has a plan for him and we'll try to get a win next week."
Tennessee has the most rookie skilled position players. How do you thing you guys are doing?
"I think that's one of the bright sides of it. We are so young and we get better every day. Film room, connecting more outside the building. For me to go through my first year with the guys who are going to be with me for a long period of time, it's good because we get a lot of bad plays or just little mistakes out of our system. At the end of the day, we got to continue to stress and hold each other accountable like we do just to play football."
