Marcus Mariota throws 4 TD passes in NFL debut

Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback sensation Marcus Mariota had a phenomenal regular season debut as he completed 13 of 16 passes for 209 yards and four touchdowns. Tennessee won the game 42-14, and it’s looking like things could be looking up in the Music City.

The second overall pick out of Oregon in this year’s NFL Draft, Mariota made an immediate impact once he stepped on the field, finding Kendall Wright over the middle for what turned into a 52 yard touchdown reception on Tennessee’s opening drive of the game. He would go on to make touchdown passes of 12, one and four yards, respectively, and there is little doubt that Mariota has a long and prominent NFL career ahead of him. He showed poise in the pocket and committed no turnovers and once the rest of the offense comes together, namely the running game, the Titans are going to be a team worth watching every week.

The same could not be said for Mariota’s opponent today, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is the team that held the first pick in the draft this past spring and used it to draft former Florida State Seminole Jameis Winston, and the difference between both men today was like night and day.

Winston’s first career pass attempt resulted in an interception being returned for a touchdown to put Tennessee up 14-0, and it all went downhill from there. Winston was 16 of 33 for 210 yards and though he threw two touchdown passes, he also had two interceptions and was sacked four times. Moreover, his second touchdown pass came in garbage time.

Needless to say, one thing is certain after Week 1. The day of Famous Jameis quickly crashed to reality, while the day of the Duck appears to be heading for a takeover.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

Bob Stoops delivers powerful speech after Tennessee game
Bob Stoops delivers powerful speech after Tennessee game