NFL Playoffs: All Eyes On Marcus Mariota vs New England Patriots

Former Oregon Football Quarterback Marcus Mariota plays youth vs experience against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots Saturday.

The Tennessee Titans went on the road last week and beat the Kansas City Chiefs 22-21 to advance in the NFL Playoffs. Now, they head to Foxboro to take on the top-seeded New England Patriots. You don’t have to know a lot about football to be aware that Tom Brady is one of the best in the game. Earlier this season the Houston Texans and a healthy DeShaun Watson almost beat the Patriots at home.

It may not take a miracle, but a good game plan that eats clock and a heavy dose of Titans Running Backs along with a key Special Teams play could be enough. New England has a lot of weapons, but Tennessee has Marcus Mariota.

The former Oregon Quarterback seems to be playing on a different level in the Playoffs.

Last weekend he threw a touchdown pass to himself off a deflection. He used his feet to get five key first downs. At the half, Tennessee was down 21-3, but mounted a huge comeback on Offense while Defensively keeping Kansas City off the scoreboard for 30 minutes. Marcus Mariota is the key.

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For Oregon Fans, last weekend was spent huddling around televisions watching part of the NFL Wildcard Game. I was at the RV Show in Eugene and saw folks checking out the latest RV’s, but also keeping an eye on their favorite former Oregon Duck. What Marcus Mariota did at Oregon was special. You may get one student-athlete every 50 years that means that much not just to a program, but to the surrounding community.

Tennessee will be without DeMarco Murray on Saturday night. Expect Derrick Henry to get a bulk of the carries. He showed last weekend that he is capable of handling the load. Mariota will control much of the New England Defense’s attention. Murray could have a big night on the ground.

The Titans and Patriots Kickoff at 5:15 pm Pacific Time Saturday on CBS.