Game Notes: QB Accuracy Stands Out

Aug 23, 2015 at 04:35 PM

QUARTERBACKS ACCURATE AGAIN: A week after Titans quarterbacks recorded an 85.2 completion percentage against the Falcons, they remained sharp. Against the Rams, Marcus Mariota, Zach Mettenberger, Charlie Whitehurst and Alex Tanney completing 74.1 percent of their throws, going 20-of-27 for 267 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Through games of Sunday, Aug. 23, the Titans' 79.6 completion percentage ranks first in the NFL, as does their 9.9 yards per attempt. Their 113.5 team passer rating ranks second, closely behind the New Orleans Saints (114.3).

MARIOTA'S NISSAN STADIUM DEBUT:** In his second NFL preseason game and his preseason debut at Nissan Stadium, rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota was on the field for 19 total plays over three drives that went 39 yards, 61 yards and 16 yards, respectively. The second series resulted in a field goal. He was 5-of-8 passing for 59 yards and a passer rating of 84.9. His two-game preseason totals include 16 attempts, 12 completions, 153 yards, one interception and a 78.4 passer rating.

FIRST THREE DRIVES A SUCCESS FOR STARTING DEFENSE: The Titans defensive starters played a total of three series against the St. Louis starting offense. The results were an interception return for a touchdown and a pair of punts. In total, the Rams ran 13 plays against the Titans starters and only totaled 31 yards and two first downs.

TITANS OFFENSE RANKED HIGHLY THROUGH TWO PRESEASON GAMES:** Through Sunday, Aug. 23, the Titans offense is ranked fifth in the NFL in yards per game (375.0), second in passing yards per game (276.5), sixth in third down efficiency (47.6), sixth in time of possession (32:35), tied for first in yards per play (6.6) and tied for fourth in points per game (25.5) during the preseason.

PICK SIX FOR PERRISH COX: Perrish Cox got the game's scoring started with a defensive touchdown. The fifth-year cornerback, who was signed as an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, picked off Nick Foles' pass that was intended for Kenny Britt. Cox raced 24 yards the other way for a touchdown. The veteran has six career interceptions in the regular season but no touchdown returns.

METTENBERGER IMPRESSES:** Zach Mettenberger entered the contest in the second quarter. The second-year quarterback led a pair of scoring drives, completing seven passes in nine attempts for 91 yards, including a three-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chase Coffman. Through two preseason games, Mettenberger is 15-of-20 for 220 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 122.9.

COFFMAN'S TWO-TD NIGHT: Sixth-year tight end Chase Coffman led the team with 59 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. He caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Zach Mettenberger in the second quarter and then scored a 56-yard touchdown on a pass from Alex Tanney late in the fourth quarter. Through two preseason games, Coffman's 117 receiving yards lead the Titans and are tied for third in the NFL during the preseason (through Aug. 23).

GREEN-BECKHAM LEADS TEAM: Second-round pick Dorial Green-Beckham led the team against the Rams with four receptions for 40 yards. The rookie wideout caught passes on three consecutive plays during a second-quarter scoring drive (nine, 13 and 10 yards), including a toe-tapping sideline reception.

LONG CATCH BY NICKS:** Titans wide receiver Hakeem Nicks recorded the biggest play of the first half by either team. In the second quarter, he converted a third-and-3 by catching a short pass from Zach Mettenberger and racing 40 yards to help set up a touchdown.

SANKEY FINDS EARLY SUCCESS: Bishop Sankey helped the running game get going early in the game. The second-year tailback had an 18-yard run during the first drive of the game and a 19-yarder during the second series. He finished the game with a team-high 45 yards and a 7.5-yard average on six attempts.

STEVENS PROVIDES BIG PLAY: In the first quarter, tight end Craig Stevens began the offense's second series with a 35-yard catch on a pass from Marcus Mariota. The eighth-year tight end has two career receptions in the regular season of at least 35 yards (long of 58).

HOMECOMING:** Several members of the Rams roster and coaching staff returned to Nissan Stadium after previously spending time with the Titans. Rams coach Jeff Fisher, who spent 16 full seasons as head coach of the Titans, was honored with a video tribute during the game. The additional list of Rams making their return to Music City were tight end Jared Cook, defensive end William Hayes, linebacker Akeem Ayers, wide receiver Kenny Britt, wide receiver Damian Williams, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, senior defensive assistant Chuck Cecil, linebackers coach Frank Bush, assistant head coach Dave McGinnis, wide receivers coach Ray Sherman, assistant linebackers coach Joe Bowden and defensive backs coach Brandon Fisher.

TITANS SCRATCHES:The Titans had five players ruled out before the game due to injuries: cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson, cornerback Jason McCourty, outside linebacker Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil, inside linebacker Zaviar Gooden and nose tackle Sammie Hill. Tight end Delanie Walker also did not play.