Marcus Mariota shines, Delanie Walker returns in Titans loss to Patriots

The Tennessee Titans lost to the New England Patriots, 22-17, in the Preseason Week 2 matchup in Nashville.

It was a rocky start for the Tennessee Titans’ offense, but quarterback Marcus Mariota and Co. were able to recover nicely despite what was ultimately a loss to the New England Patriots.

Mariota played in Tennessee’s first three offensive series of the night. Things didn’t start off well, as Tennessee’s offense stalled with two consecutive three-and-outs to begin the game.

On the third series of the night, Mariota flipped the switch. He completed his first of two passes to tight end Delanie Walker for 15 yards, then connected with wideout Corey Davis for 21 yards a few plays later.

Following completions to running backs Dion Lewis and Jeremy McNichols, Mariota found his old friend Walker in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown strike.

The Oregon product then followed the scoring play with a successful two-point conversion on a scramble that ended with him flipping into the end zone.

In all, Mariota was 6-of-9 for 63 yards and a touchdown. One of his incomplete passes was a drop by Davis, who couldn’t handle a throw near the sideline.

Backup quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, relieved Mariota after that and started the second quarter for the Titans. Tannehill found the end zone once with the help of McNichols, who scored on a 15-yard catch, run, and flip, to find his way to pay dirt.

Tannehill was 7-of-11 for 84 yards and a touchdown on the evening.

Tennessee’s defense was able to make some plays in the first half. Defensive lineman, Isaiah Mack, notched his first sack of the preseason, while cornerback Logan Ryan picked off a pass from Patriots quarterback, Brian Hoyer.

After the touchdown passes from Mariota and Tannehill, the Titans offense stalled the rest of the game. Tennessee carried a 17-8 lead going into the half, but the Pats outscored the Titans 14-0 to win 22-17.