Tennessee Titans Marcus Mariota Leads The Way In Win vs Kansas City
Titans Quarterback Marcus Mariota stepped up in the second half to lead Tennessee to a Road Playoff win vs Kansas City, 22-21
If you turned the game off at halftime thinking it was over, you were mistaken. I looked at the Halftime Score and said, “The Titans have work to do.”. Some of the turnovers were ugly, One fourth down running into the kicker penalty could have been the ball game, but Tennessee Quarterback Marcus Mariota had other ideas. He controlled the Offense for the Titans.
The former Oregon Football Quarterback was healthy entering the game vs Kansas City. Mariota had good numbers (19/31, 205 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception). What will be remembered is his decisions in the moment.
He threw a pass toward the end zone in the third quarter that was deflected and he was able to catch it for a touchdown. Mariota to Mariota. It was the first time in the NFL Playoffs it ever happened.
On the final drive of the game and to secure the win, Mariota threw a block for Running Back Derrick Henry collecting praise from his teammates. Marcus Mariota is now to Tennessee what he was at Oregon. The guy you play for. Even though the regular season did not go as planned. The NFL Playoffs bring a different level of preparation and the spotlight is a lot brighter.
Via @espn Mariota throws TD to himself https://t.co/pNJyqoDSRy #GoDucks #Pac12
— Justin Phillips (@KPNWSports) January 7, 2018
The next stop for Mariota and the Titans will be decided on Sunday, but we already know it will be a road game in Pittsburgh or New England. Sometimes when you have a Quarterback to play for, you do things better and focus harder. Then there is an opportunity to play for another week. If this team plays together good things can happen.
Next: Oregon Men's Basketball: Ducks Drop Civil War vs Oregon State
The Steelers and Patriots will need to be ready for a team with not only something but someone to play for.