NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After knocking off the Cowboys on Monday night, the Titans have turned their attention to an even bigger challenge – facing the New England Patriots, and quarterback Tom Brady.
"It's a big opportunity," Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota said on Wednesday. "We have a chance to continue to build off what we have done, and it's the next opponent in our season, and we're looking forward to it."
Mariota delivered a winning performance on Monday night, completing 21-of-29 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns in the team's 28-14 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Mariota also ran for a nine-yard touchdown late, as the Titans sealed it, and improved to 4-4 heading into Sunday's contest at Nissan Stadium.
Mariota and the Titans lost to the Patriots in the playoffs in January, although the quarterback acknowledged things have changed dramatically since.
The Patriots enter the Week 10 contest ranked 24th in the NFL in total defense (yards), but they're 11th in points allowed.
"It's going to be different," Mariota said. "(With the Patriots) you really are not sure what you are going to get. They do a good job of mixing fronts and coverages, and just doing a lot of different things. So we have to prepare for everything, and just make sure we are on our details.
"… (Defensively) they've created a bunch of (turnovers), and they've created short field position for their offense. They've even scored a couple of times. So when you have a defense that is kind of ball-hawking and kind of finding ways to create turnovers you have to really be on your stuff and making sure you are taking care of the ball."
The Titans know what they'll see on defense with Brady, a 13-time Pro Bowler and five-time champion, at the helm.
On Wednesday, Mariota talked about the respect he has for the future Hall of Famer.
"(What he has done) is incredible, and you have to give him a whole lot of credit," Mariota said of Brady. "No.1, taking care of his body, 2, just being passionate and dedicated to his craft and always finding ways to improve.
"He's done an incredible job and I think he has kind of laid the blueprint out for a lot of young guys. … When you are playing into your 40s I think it says a lot about how he is taking care of his body, how he has done it. Because the lifespan in the NFL is so short, so for him to exceed that and more says a lot about what he has done."
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)
