QB Marcus Mariota Does It All as Titans Beat Patriots

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – See quarterback Marcus Mariota run. See quarterback Marcus Mariota throw. See Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota catch. And see the Titans win. Mariota did it all in Sunday’s dominating performance over the New England Patriots, a 34-10 win at Nissan Stadium. It was part of an all-around game for the suddenly red-hot Titans. “He is a baller, man,” Titans tight end Jonnu Smith said of Mariota. “Marcus, he makes it go. He’s a special player, and that is what you should expect from him every week. “I’m glad we have him on our team for sure.”Mariota completed 16-of-24 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns in the game, and posted a passer rating of 125.0. He ran for 21 yards on two carries, including a 20-yard sprint. Late in the contest, Mariota even caught a 21-yard pass from receiver Darius Jennings on a trick play. It was his first catch on a ball thrown by someone other than himself since his rookie season, when he caught a touchdown pass against the Jets. Who could forget Mariota’s touchdown touchdown pass to himself in last year’s playoff game vs. the Chiefs? “Marcus made some great throws,” Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said. “I think he just really continues to lead us, with his composure. He has some lunatics – I’m borderline lunatic, (offensive coordinator Matt) LaFleur. And this kid, God love him, he is just as steady as it gets during the week and he prepares. “And he’s really given us a chance to win ball games here lately.” Mariota has now thrown five touchdowns and only one interception in the past three games after throwing just two touchdown passes (and four interceptions) in his first five games of the season. Mariota’s passing totals in the past two games – wins over the Cowboys and Patriots -- include a 69.9 completion percentage (37 of 53), 468 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 122.2 passer rating. “I think it’s a combination of a lot of different things,” Mariota said when asked about the success of the offense in recent weeks. “Guys are getting more and familiar with the system, guys are building confidence. And if you combine all those factors you tend to score points.” Mariota was sharp throughout against the Patriots. By halftime he’d already completed touchdown passes to Smith and Corey Davis, who had seven catches for 125 yards, including the 23-yard scoring toss. In the second half Mariota and the Titans didn’t let up. He guided one drive after the next, and two of them were capped off with touchdown runs by Derrick Henry. “It was great to get a win,” Mariota said. “It took a lot of hard work from a lot of different people. “With that being said, it is just another step in the process. We have another big one coming up – we have a division game on the road (at Indianapolis) – and we have to get back to work.”

QB Marcus Mariota Does It All as Titans Beat Patriots

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QB Marcus Mariota Does It All as Titans Beat Patriots

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