Marcus Mariota’s first two series in live game action as an NFL quarterback ended as nightmarishly as anyone could have expected. But the rookie bounced back to demonstrate his passing potential and lead the Tennessee Titans to a touchdown drive in the team’s preseason opener, a 31-24 loss, against the host Atlanta Falcons on Friday.
The story of Mariota’s first training camp with the Titans had been his staying turnover-free. In his first 11 practices leading up to the Titans’ first preseason game, Mariota threw 186 passes without a single interception, as reported by Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.