Titans helped 49ers savior Jimmy Garoppolo look even better than he is

Joe Rexrode
The Tennessean
Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) almost gets an interception in the second half Sunday.

The best and worst from the Titans25-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

BEST

Jimmy G: San Francisco’s quarterback of now and the future, Jimmy Garoppolo, was virtually unstoppable in the first half, going 18-for-26 for 189 yards and a touchdown, extending plays with his feet and making big-time throws. It was not his fault that the 49ers had just five plays and 19 yards in the third quarter – he threw a perfect third-down pass headed for major yardage after the catch that was simply dropped. And then he won the game with clutch throws at the end. He finished 31-for-43 for 381 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. He’s going to be very good.

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Marcus M: After the mess at Arizona, Marcus Mariota’s day (23-for-33, 241 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions) was a much-needed sight for the Titans. It just didn’t feel like it after the Titans let the 49ers come back to win. But he responded in a big way and nearly collected his fifth game-winning drive of the season.

Blitzing Wesley Woodyard: Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau doesn’t do it a ton, but it has resulted in punishing sacks in each of the past two games. With the 49ers driving to potentially take the lead midway through the fourth quarter, LeBeau sent Woodyard and he came free up the middle – blasting Garoppolo for a loss of 10 on third-and-11. That forced a 50-yard field goal, which Robbie Gould hit to cut the Titans’ lead to 20-19.

Kickers: Gould made all six of his attempts, including the game winner. And Titans kicker Ryan Succop nailed all three of his, including one from 50 that could have won the game. You can’t be better than that.

WORST

Titans pass coverage: Yes, give Garoppolo and his so-so group of receivers plenty of credit for making plays. But also give the Titans blame for some coverage errors – it wasn’t Garoppolo’s arm that resulted in tight end Garrett Celek breaking free wide open downfield for a 40-yard gain in the fourth quarter. That was a coverage bust, after which safety Kevin Byard was talking to linebacker Erik Walden as if Walden was the man who was supposed to be covering Celek. The Titans gave up a 54-yard pass on a crossing pattern on the next drive, setting up the 49ers for the go-ahead field goal. And then the 49ers ripped down the field on that secondary to win it. Losing Logan Ryan early to an ankle injury didn’t help, but that doesn’t explain away bad communication.

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Missed calls and plays: If cornerback Adoree’ Jackson just catches that interception in the end zone, after providing perfect coverage on a fade to Marquise Goodwin, the Titans might be able to win the game right there. And if the Titans coaching staff calls a play to convert third-and-2 from the 49ers 32 on the ensuing drive, the 49ers probably don’t have time to come back at the end. Tight end Delanie Walker also dropped a potential touchdown pass and lost a fumble in the first half, though he responded later with a touchdown grab.

Officiating: I realize we can complain about these things every week, and that NFL officials are people, too. But there were some really dicey calls Sunday, including a third-down spot that favored the 49ers and aided a first-half touchdown drive. Mike Mularkey challenged a 50/50 49ers catch that could have been a Titans interception and lost, though it’s hard to argue too much with that one. The 49ers were called for an illegal use of the hands on the Titans’ field-goal drive to open the second half that was shaky at best.

Reach Joe Rexrode at jrexrode@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @joerexrode.