NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans face the Pittsburgh Steelers in their third preseason game on Saturday at Heinz Field.
Here's a look at six things to watch:
Marcus Mariota and the offense
The Titans first team offense has played three series so far in the preseason, and things have gone reasonably well. Two of the drives have produced touchdowns, and Mariota has completed 6-of-10 passes for 122 yards with two TD passes, and a passer rating of 142.5. Take a long look at Mariota in Saturday's game. It should be his most extensive action of the preseason, and he probably won't play much - if at all - in Week 4 of the preseason vs. the Vikings.
The secondary
OK, cornerback Malcolm Butler won't play in this one after missing practices all week, and linebackers Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan won't suit up and get after the passer either. But front-line DBs Adoree' Jackson and Logan Ryan are expected to be out there, with safeties Kevin Byard and Kenny Vaccaro. And Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is expected to make his 2018 preseason debut. In the first two preseason games, the Titans starters haven't been an issue. But the back-ups have allowed opposing QBs to light it up, and they'll want to clamp down more in this one.
Corey Davis
Last week, it was the Taywan Taylor show at Nissan Stadium. The Titans second-year receiver caught two touchdowns, and the attention of NBA star LeBron James with his speed. It's been a quiet preseason so far for Davis, who played just 11 snaps last week against the Buccaneers after being held out of the preseason opener at Green Bay. Davis doesn't have a catch so far in the preseason. It would be nice to see him generate a little momentum heading into the regular season.
The back-ups
While the starters are expected to get their most extensive playing time of the preseason, don't look for them to put in a full day's work. I'm expecting them to be out by halftime. What that means is more work for the back-ups, and players trying to earn roster spots. The Titans have 90 players on the roster today. By next Saturday, the roster must be down to 53. A lot of guys are playing for their future right now.
No injuries
The injury list is a long one right now. On Thursday, TE Delanie Walker, LB Rashaan Evans, WR Michael Campanaro, RB Akrum Wadley, S Steven Terrell, S Kendrick Lewis all missed practice, along with Butler, Morgan, and Orakpo. WR Rishard Matthews and RT Jack Conklin remain on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list. The Titans don't want to see anyone added to the injury list at Heinz Field.
Fewer penalties
I guess this is one thing fans hope they don't see. In the first two preseason contests, the Titans have racked up 25 penalties for 258 yards. The penalties have come in different areas, including too many for the NFL's "lower the head to initiate contact rule." Coach Mike Vrabel said he'd like to see less laundry on the field moving forward. Will he get his wish?
Titans Online looks back at the all-time series between the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers. (AP Photos)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) is tackled by Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan, right, and outside linebacker Aaron Wallace, left, during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The Steelers won 40-17. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78), second from right, lines up against the Tennessee Titans with the rest of the line during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) plays against the Tennessee Titans during an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
In this Nov. 16, 2017, photo, Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh. The one thing Mariota has shown in his young NFL career is the ability to bounce back from an interception or a bad game. The Titans' third-year quarterback is coming off the worst game yet with four interceptions and has more picks than touchdown passes this season, and now he gets to visit Indianapolis and one of the league’s worst pass defenses. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) breaks up a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) calls out signals as center Maurkice Pouncey (53) gets ready to snap the football at the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 40-17. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Tennessee Titans tight end Anthony Firkser catches a pass during NFL football training camp Saturday, July 28, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) is hit by Tennessee Titans strong safety Johnathan Cyprien, rear, and Jayon Brown (55) as he makes a catch during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The Steelers won 40-17. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, left, is greeted by Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlinan NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 16-6. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Joe Haden (23) and linebacker Anthony Chickillo, left, pursue in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
File-This Aug. 25, 2018, file photo shows Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) getting a pass away as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25) rushes him in the first half of an NFL preseason football game, in Pittsburgh. Mariota’s emergence as one of the NFL’s top young stars helped provide proof that a good quarterback can be found in the state of Hawaii. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Robert Spillane (42) intercepts a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Justin Hunter (11) as linebacker Daren Bates (53) and defensive back Kenneth Durden (38) defend in the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
