TEMPE, Ariz. -- It's been a weekly head-scratcher to figure out why the Tennessee Titans, led by a young franchise quarterback and a decent supporting cast, can't figure it out offensively.

Marcus Mariota and the Titans face a nearly must-win game Sunday against a surging 49ers team with renewed confidence rallying behind new starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

So a week practicing in the Arizona desert has left the Titans scheming to figure out how to restore a struggling Mariota and offense back to at least the bunch we saw in the first three weeks of the season. Offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie believes the answer lies in simplifying the offense.

Marcus Mariota has a career-high 14 interceptions this season, 10 over the last six games. Matt Kartozian/USA TODAY Sports

"I don’t think you can change a whole lot of things as far as all the stuff that you’re doing, but I think you can stop and say, let’s go back to the basics," Robiskie said. "Let's get back to the basic fundamentals, not only from a play standpoint but also in techinques."

Robiskie's play-calling identity is to establish the run, sometimes stubbornly, to get the offensive line in a flow. The Titans got too cute early in their 12-7 loss to the Cardinals, attempting more gadget plays rather than their bread-and-butter of power running and play-action passing.

"I’ve always believed the formula is run. More 4 yards and a cloud of dust instead of seven-step drop," Robiskie said. "Sometimes you let the big horses up front pound some people and knock the hell out of people to get comfortable, then you take a shot."

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Leaning on DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry to lead the offense has led to mixed results. A simpler run-heavy plan led to wins at Jacksonville and vs. Houston a couple weeks ago, but it's also turned into stinker offensive performances like the Titans' early-season loss at Miami and low-scoring overtime win over the Browns. This style does help take pressure off Mariota throwing 40 times a game, which is important as the young QB tries to work out of his struggles.

Mariota's comfort, confidence and consistency will play a huge role in whether the Titans offense can be revived enough to make the playoffs.

There has been a huge rise in Mariota's interceptions (a career-high 14 this season, 10 over the last six games), and a number of those have come because of miscommunication or route-running mistakes. The Titans hope a back-to-basics, simplified plan this week will help their young receivers like Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor flash more as an asset rather than making mistakes.

If it helps them score more than 7 points against the 49ers Sunday, it will be a step in the right direction.