NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- It was all there for Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans -- a chance to stop the bleeding and offensive misery and notch a win over an NFC contender. But like much of the season, they didn't have enough to get it done.

The Titans looked better Sunday against the Rams, and for the first time in a while -- exciting. But Mariota failed to notch another game-winning comeback drive. On the Titans' final fourth-quarter drive, it appeared he missed an open Delanie Walker for a first down. Mariota said he lost track of him initially. There have been too many of those sort of misses this season.

"We let one slip away. We let three in a row slip away," Mariota said.

Mariota finished 22-of-35 for 275 yards, but going 1-of-4 in the red zone cost the Titans the game.

Tennessee is on a three-game losing streak after looking mighty strong for the playoffs at 8-4 three weeks ago. The Titans still control their own destiny next week against the Jaguars.

"We had opportunities and we didn't take advantage of them. We still got an opportunity against Jacksonville, but when you got it in your hands -- you basically gave it away," Walker said. "We better have a fight. We better be ready to go. We got our backs against the wall. We can only fight our ways out. It's Titans vs. everybody."

DeMarco Murray suffered a right knee injury that Titans coach Mike Mularkey said "it didn't look good." A source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the initial exam showed a sprained LCL. His status going forward will impact the Titans' playoff hunt.

What it means: For playoff purposes, win next week at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Titans are in the playoffs. The Bills' loss helps them with the AFC tiebreakers, and the Titans' job is simple to clinch their first playoff berth since 2008. The Jaguars clinched the AFC South, eliminating that goal for the Titans, and they will be 9-7 like they were in 2016.

What I liked: Jurrell Casey turned the momentum of the game by forcing a Jared Goff fumble with great penetration. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown. They have been two of the Titans' best three defenders all season. Casey was rewarded with his third consecutive Pro Bowl. Woodyard was denied.

That was the Titans first non-offensive TD of the season. Adoree' Jackson, Tye Smith and the Titans cornerbacks stepped up replacing Logan Ryan and LeShaun Sims.

Mariota and the Titans responded offensively after an "uh oh" first-drive interception. This unit has been under a lot of well-deserved scrutiny recently for underperforming, and they came out to play after that. The next step is more touchdowns.

What I didn’t like: Todd Gurley having his MVP statement game against the Titans' defense, highlighted by an 80-yard receiving touchdown off a screen pass. Gurley finished with 276 total yards and two touchdowns. He became the first running back to rush for over 100 yards against the Titans this season.

Too many field goals for this Titans team. It has been a problem all season, but turning one of those field goals into a touchdown might have won this game.

Fantasy fallout: Corey Davis had his breakout game, finishing with six catches and a career-high 91 yards. It was big for the Titans to see that performance and for owners who were bold enough to start him. Rishard Matthews (48 receiving yards) and Walker (33 receiving yards) were fantasy busts.

What the heck?! The Titans were victims of a few puzzling officiating decisions Sunday, but the most alarming was on a Titans third-quarter surprise onside kick that they appeared to successfully recover. The officials threw a flag, before initially announcing that the Rams called a timeout before the kick. Rams coach Sean McVay told the officials he didn't call timeout. Officials then said the ball was not put in play before the kick. The situation was weird all around and prevented the Titans from getting an onside kick.

What’s next: The Titans play the Jaguars on New Year's Eve in a game that will determine whether Tennessee will make the playoffs. It's simple: Win and you're in. Here's why the time of that game and the Jaguars' chances for a first-round bye could help the Titans a lot.