NASHVILLE -- The Titans face the New England Patriots on Saturday night at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch:
QB Play
By now, we all know what happened in the preseason opener in Philadelphia. Marcus Mariota played one series, and he completed just 4-of-8 passes for 24 yards. Then, quarterback Ryan Tannehill came off the bench and threw for 130 yards and two TDs with the 2s, and some folks started talking about a QB controversy. Well, coach Mike Vrabel and GM Jon Robinson have been clear from Day 1 the starting job belongs to Mariota. In preseason game No.2, Mariota should get a little more playing time – and another chance to prepare for Week One of the regular season. But I still wouldn't expect to see No. 8 long -- Mariota played just two series in last year's second preseason game.
Delanie Debut, and A.J. Too?
Titans tight end Delanie Walker hasn't played in a football game since breaking his ankle in the season opener at Miami last September. After sitting out last week's preseason opener vs. the Eagles, Walker said he expects to play on Saturday night against the Patriots. Coming off a solid practice against New England on Thursday, Walker's return should make a lot of Titans fans feel a lot better heading into the season. Another guy who could make his debut after returning to practice this week: Receiver A.J. Brown, the team's second-round pick.
Feistiness
The Titans and Patriots were on their best behavior in Wednesday's joint practice. In fact, I didn't notice any pushing and shoving after plays. But things got a little feistier on Thursday. On several plays, there was a little extra talking and jostling after the whistle, and it eventually led to a skirmish that was quickly broken up by Vrabel and Robinson. I suspect cooler heads will prevail in Saturday's preseason game, but after a few days of banging heads this week, some personal battles could get a little extra juicy under the lights.
Brady Bunch?
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady probably won't play much, if at all, in this one after getting some good work this week in practices against the Titans, so we'll probably see a lot of back-up quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham. The Titans defensive backs played well against the Eagles, but a bigger test will come in this one. The Patriots made some big plays against the Titans late in Thursday's practice, so they'll be looking to clamp down on Saturday night.
Taywan Taylor Bounce Back
In preseason game No.2 last year, Titans receiver Taywan Taylor took a screen pass from Mariota and sprinted 47 yards for a touchdown. Even LeBron James gave Taylor a shout-out for his speed on social media. Well, Taylor is coming off a tought night in Philadelphia, when he was guilty of a pair of drops and some bad footwork technique on the sideline. Taylor responded with a good week of practice, and he'll look to change the conversation on Saturday night.
The Youngsters
The game will eventually turn into a showdown of back-ups, and the Titans have plenty of guys who would love to continue building momentum, including No.3 quarterback Logan Woodside. Receiver Cody Hollister has turned into a contender – he had a TD catch last week in Philadelphia – and defensive players like defensive tackle Isaiah Mack, safety Amani Hooker, cornerback Kareem Orr and safety JoJo Tillery would love to put together another nice outing vs. the Patriots. Same goes for receiver Kalif Raymond, who had a big night in Philadelphia. The spotlight will be back on at Nissan Stadium.
TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series against the New England Patriots. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan (26) is congratulated after sacking New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) catches a touchdown pass in front of New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, right, during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, and New England Patriots defensive end Geneo Grissom, right, speak at midfield after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) catches a touchdown pass in front of New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, right, during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota passes against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) catches a touchdown pass in front of New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, right, during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) tackles New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) after a reception during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota speak at midfield after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) dives into the end zone for his second touchdown during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, looks for a receiver under pressure from New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers, right, during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Tennessee Titans offense lines up against the New England Patriots defense during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. . (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota celebrates his touchdown pass to Corey Davis as he runs past New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers (98) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots offense lines up against the Tennessee Titans defense during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. . (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota speak at midfield after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Tennessee Titans tackle Dennis Kelly (71) blocks New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers, right, during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, is sacked for an 11-yard loss by Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey, right, in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center, is sacked by a group of Tennessee Titans defenders in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) scores a touchdown on a 10-yard run ahead of New England Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty, right, in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) congratulates Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) after an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 34-10. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) catches a 23-yard touchdown pass as he is defended by New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) catches a 4-yard touchdown pass against the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel greets New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) before an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes against the New England Patriots in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) hangs onto New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
New England Patriots center David Andrews (60) prepares to snap the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, left, greets New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick before an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
