Game Notes: Titans QBs Strong in Preseason

Sep 03, 2015 at 07:34 PM

TITANS QBs STRONG IN PRESEASON: Against the Vikings, Titans quarterbacks Marcus Mariota, Zach Mettenberger, Charlie Whitehurst and Alex Tanney combined to complete 16 of 25 passes for 210 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 130.0. The group's four-game totals in the preseason included 104 attempts, 71 completions, 925 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. The Titans' 8.1 yards per attempt led the NFL during the preseason, while their 103.3 passer rating ranked third and their completion percentage of 68.3 ranked sixth.

MARIOTA, DOUGLAS FINISH PRESEASON ON HIGH NOTE:The starting offense finished the preseason with a big touchdown. The group was on the field for only one drive, but the result was a 59-yard touchdown pass forMarcus Mariota**, his first of the preseason. Mariota and most of the offensive starters were on the field for 11 drives during the preseason, and in those opportunities, they produced three touchdowns and two field goals (27 points). Mariota completed at least one pass for a first down in nine of the 11 series.

MARIOTA'S FINAL PRESEASON NUMBERS: Starting quarterback Marcus Mariota attempted only three passes against the Vikings, but the rookie completed two of them for 74 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Harry Douglas. In four preseason starts, the second-overall draft pick completed 21 of his 30 attempts for 326 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He finished with a passer rating of 102.9, which ranked second among rookie quarterbacks (Brett Hundley, 129.6), and his 70.0 completion percentage led the rookie class. Additionally, he rushed five times for 17 yards.

BIG CATCH BY DOUGLAS: Eighth-year wide receiver Harry Douglas provided the longest play of the game, collecting a Marcus Mariota pass and going 59 yards for a touchdown. Douglas has two career receptions in the regular season longer than 59 yards.

TITANS REMAIN PERFECT NEAR GOAL LINE:The Titans remained perfect in preseason goal-to-go situations. Against the Vikings, they scored on a three-yard touchdown pass fromZach MettenbergertoRico Richardsonand a one-yard touchdown pass fromAlex TanneytoPhillip Supernaw**, bringing their preseason total to six touchdowns in six goal-to-go sets of downs.

OFFENSIVE RANKINGS: The Titans ranked ninth in the NFL during the preseason in total offense (330.0 yards per game) and tied for second in yards per play (5.9). They were seventh in third down efficiency (45.7), eighth in points per game (21.3) and fifth in time of possession (31:46).

TIME OF POSSESSION: The Titans won the time-of-possession battle against the Vikings by registering a preseason-best 34:12. Their average time of possession in the preseason was 31:46.

TITANS RUSHERS TOP 100 YARDS: Titans rushers combined to accumulate a preseason high of 142 yards on the ground. David Fluellen led the squad with 61 yards on 12 carries, followed by Antonio Andrews' 38 yards on 10 carries. The 142 yards were the most by the Titans in a preseason game since they had 147 at Minnesota on Aug. 29, 2013.

COFFMAN LEADS TEAM:Tight endChase Coffmanled the team with four receptions and 59 receiving yards. In four preseason games, he led the squad with 12 receptions and 189 yards and tied for the team lead with two touchdowns. His reception total ranked sixth in the NFL and first among all tight ends during the preseason, and his 15.8-yard receiving average was sixth in the NFL and second among tight ends (Chris Gragg**, Buffalo, 16.0).

WREH-WILSON FORCES TURNOVER IN RETURN: Blidi Wreh-Wilson appeared for the first time during the preseason. The third-year cornerback missed the first three games due to an ankle injury he suffered a week into training camp. Against the Vikings, he came up with one of the biggest plays in the early going when he forced a fumble in Vikings territory against wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The ball was recovered by safety Michael Griffin, leading to a Titans touchdown seven plays later.

TITANS MAKING MOST OF TURNOVERS: The Titans had two takeaways against the Vikings. Safety Michael Griffin recovered a fumble in the second quarter, and Marqueston Huff recovered a muffed punt return in the third quarter. Griffin's recovery resulted in a touchdown, while Huff's play turned into a field goal. The Titans totaled five takeaways during the preseason – three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. They scored field goals after the first four and a field goal after the final one.

BLACKSON NOTCHES FIRST SACK TO END FINAL DRIVE:The Vikings trailed by seven points but were driving in Titans territory in the game's final minute of regulation. They faced a fourth-and-10 from the Tennessee 39-yard line, when rookie defensive linemanAngelo Blacksonsacked Vikings quarterback Taylor Heinicke** for a four-yard loss. The fourth-round pick's sack was his first of the preseason.

SUCCOP PERFECT ON FIELD GOALS: Kicker Ryan Succop made his only field goal attempt (40 yards) against Minnesota and connected on all three extra point attempts. He finished the preseason going 5-of-5 on field goals and 7-of-8 on PATs.

TITANS SCRATCHES: The Titans had six players ruled out before the game due to injuries: nose tackle Sammie Hill, outside linebacker J.R. Tavai, cornerback Jason McCourty, defensive lineman DaQuan Jones, running back David Cobb and linebacker Zaviar Gooden. Additionally, defensive tackle Jurrell Casey and outside linebackers Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan were held out of action.