NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mike Mularkey has routinely said the Marcus Mariota has increased responsibility in his third NFL season.

On Friday. After the big loss at Pittsburgh, the Titans coach said this:

“Yeah, we're asking him to do a lot, a lot more than I've been around. We trust him to do that. I know he's thrown more. I'm glad he's our quarterback. I know this, we still have a chance to win every game with him no matter what the score is, where it is in the game. Nobody ever talks about how accurate he is in some of the throws he does make, all you guys keep asking me are about the throws he doesn't. There's a lot of good throws that he makes every Sunday, very tight window throws.”

First off, when a quarterback throws four interceptions, the conversation isn’t going to be about his completions and Mularkey surely knows that.

Secondly, what’s with this conversation about all Mariota is being asked to do?

If a quarterback is asked to do a lot, I presume it involves the passing game. And the Titans passing game isn’t doing a lot.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Some players got older and that can certainly be a factor in reduced production. Injuries are the same.

But let’s set aside Brian Orakpo and DeMarco Murray where age and or injury can be at play.

Let’s side aside the Titans six rookies, the other 13 newcomers to the roster and the kicker and punter who are having great seasons.

Of the other 32 guys, who’s gotten better in a way we can see in games?

I don’t think it’s unfair to say only two guys fit the bill:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Pro Bowl is broken and irrelevant.

For years I’ve said one team should be named, with no alternates getting moved up. Then no game should be played. A week in Hawaii should be highlighted by community service projects and major fan interaction. (I know the Pro Bowl this season is in Orlando. It should always be a trip to Hawaii. The prime destination is one way to minimize dropouts.)

There should be a  skills competition that would draw better ratings than an exhibition game. And the awards show the NFL has put on the Saturday night before the Super Bowl should be held that night to cap it all off.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Referee Ronald Torbert and his officiating crew from Titans-Steelers Thursday night botched a call that handed the home team the field position it needed for a field goal at the end of the first half.

NFL says "there was no disagreement here about what should have happened" on botched forward fumble ruling that favored #Steelers at end of first half vs. #Titans. Basically concede error.

— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) November 20, 2017

Adoree’ Jackson forced a fumble as Antonio Brown ran with the ball after a catch. Martavis Bryant recovered the fumble, which had advanced 10 yards. The rules say that inside of 2 minutes remaining in either half or on fourth down, if the fumbling team recovers the fumble with gained yardage, it must be returned to the spot of the fumble.

It hardly cost the Titans a game, but it did cost them a field goal. And when such a clear call goes against them it’s hard for them not to wonder about the system that disciplines such misses by officials.

The league reiterated that the error is part of the crew’s review for the game. Cumulative reviews determine whether officials get playoffs assignments. Those are additional work, which brings prestige and additional pay.

Mike Mularkey was upset about a lot of things after a poor showing in a 40-17 loss and in his comments he said the NFL should “say it like it is, quit hiding things.”

He, of course, fears the wrath of the league there, in the form of a fine.

But he still expounded on Monday.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – There is a gauge in my house that tells me how things are looking for the future.

He is 8.

When Fox uses a robot graphic or Seattle wears neon uniforms or a team does a silly touchdown celebration, I use Simon as a test.

Was that cool? Did you like it?

Because what sports do isn’t meant for his 48-year old dad nearly as much as it’s meant to get hooks in him.

So on a Sunday when the Titans were off, my son and I made a deal. He’d watch a big chunk of Red Zone with me, granting permission for me to write about it through his eyes.

Home from church, we changed into football watching clothes and sat side-by-side. A tray of snacky lunch items magically appear on the chair arms between us -- thanks, Teresa – as Scott Hanson took us around the league and showed off his remarkable bladder control while not going to the bathroom for over six hours.

“He could be sitting on a toilet while he does it,” Simon said.

Potty humor out of the way, right away.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- This post was inspired by this Tweet:

@PaulKuharskyNFL Will you still be doing an over-reaction piece tomorrow on the Jags win today? The over-reaction has been priceless.

— Steve Snyder (@SteveSnyder9) November 20, 2017

PK: That’s a fine idea Steve. Let’s do it.

There goes our hopes for afc south

— titanfan (@crwilliams1961) November 19, 2017

PK: Were you really expecting the Browns to beat the Jaguars? I mean even as that game played out and Cleveland stuck around, you couldn’t have been relying on that team.

Chill out.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – I have slept off the Pittsburgh trip and am ready for a weekend with the family. Right after I post this mailbag.

First off, here's yesterday's Periscope for all the people.

https://t.co/WpzhO1W0gz live from Dawghouse Saloon. https://t.co/4JBdPgsTB9

— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) November 17, 2017

Below, you'll find the members-only continuation.

Now to your questions and comments.

*PK, should the team go to more no-huddle/uptempo play to help get Mariota in rhythm early in games? Seems that it would not only help him, but may open up the run game more.

— Al Williams (@Cavalier_Al) November 17, 2017

PK: Of all the complaints about what Mike Mularkey and Terry Robiskie are, and are not, doing, this one is the most reasonable. Marcus Mariota absolutely thrives in no-huddle and we saw a bit of it, finally, outside of 2-minute or game-desperation situations against Baltimore. I don’t understand their reluctance, and they have not articulated it well. I think on some level, it’s a stubborn reluctance to relinquish control, as Mariota is calling plays when they hurry up.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – My thanks to Pickers for affording me the opportunity to show off what I tell you all the time -- the top appeal of the NFL is it's unpredictability.

Games of the week (1-2-1)

L.A. Rams +2 at Minnesota

I am not a big believer in Minnesota, and I think the Rams are absolutely for real. Jared Goff and Todd Gurley will have good showings against a good defense.