NASHVILLE -- The Titans face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch (plus a bonus item):
Marcus Mariota
The headline coming out of last year's third preseason game read like this: 'Titans, QB Marcus Mariota fail to get in sync vs. Steelers.' The Titans – and Mariota – don't want history to repeat itself on Sunday night. The first-team offense ended last week with some momentum, as Mariota guided a 10-play, 87-yard drive that produced a score vs. the Patriots. In what's likely their last work of the preseason, Mariota and the offense would like to head into the regular season with momentum. That wasn't the case a year ago, when four drives produced zero points, and too many mistakes. Look for the first-team offense to play roughly 4-5 series, or at least into the second quarter.
A.J. Brown, Adam Humphries
A.J. Brown, the team's second-round pick, got his feet wet last week in his NFL debut, although he didn't have a catch while playing 15 snaps. Brown saw his workload increase in practices this week, and he looked good after missing so much time earlier in camp. Brown should get more opportunities against the Steelers, and he'll aim to make his first NFL catch. Also, veteran receiver Adam Humphries will have a chance to build further chemistry with Mariota after sitting out last week.
The Running Backs
Derrick Henry returned to practice this week, but will he play against the Steelers? Consider me skeptical, as I'm thinking the team won't risk rushing him back. If Henry is in fact a no-go, then backs like Jeremy McNichols, Alex Barnes and Akeem Hunt will get even more chances to make a good impression. McNichols has been surging, and I like what I've seen from Hunt, too.
Pass Defense
The Titans defense came out with a swagger last weekend against the Patriots, sacking quarterbacks and intercepting passes. Tom Brady didn't play, of course, so the success came with an asterisk. Well, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to play in the preseason for the first time in 2019 on Sunday night for the Steelers, so he'll provide a bigger test while throwing to receivers like JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington.
O-line in Place?
Titans coach Mike Vrabel said he planned to make a decision on the starting offensive line after Pittsburgh week, so I'm thinking the starting five against the Steelers will likely be the starting five in the regular season opener at Cleveland. Against the Patriots, the first five looked like this: LT Dennis, Kelly, LG Rodger Saffold, C Ben Jones, RG Kevin Pamphile and RT Jack Conklin. If that's the group the Titans roll out there on Sunday, they'll be tested against a physical Pittsburgh defensive front.
Bubble Players
I'm not going to run down a list of all the players on the roster bubble as we approach August 31, the day NFL teams cut from 90 players to 53. The Titans have a number of players fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster, and others who have a chance to develop on the practice squad. The reality is preseason game No.4 in Chicago will provide the biggest opportunity to make something happen, because most starters won't play in that one. It will be a night for the back-ups. Still, anyone who's not guaranteed a spot on the 53 needs to make something positive happen on Sunday night when presented with an opportunity.
Plus, a special bonus item ...
A Big First Play?
Matthew Drumright, a Special Olympics athlete, will call the first play against the Steelers. Drumright and several athletes from Special Olympics visited practice this week, and spent time with the coaching staff and players. Vrabel said Drumright, who is from Brentwood, has a chance to get the team off to a good start with a good play call. I'm betting he'll aim to make an early statement with an aggressive play.
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)
