Rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota completed four touchdown passes on his debut for the Tennessee Titans as they opened the 2015 NFL season with an emphatic 42-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this evening.
The top two picks from this year's Draft faced off, with number one selection Jameis Winston starting at quarterback for the Buccaneers, while Mariota was under center for the visiting side.
Mariota made an immediate impact for the Titans, launching a 52-yard touchdown pass to Kendall Wright with his first attempt of the contest.
Tennessee extended their lead moments later as Winston was unable to replicate his opposite number's quick start, throwing an interception to Coty Sensabaugh with his first pass, which the Titans cornerback ran all the way back for a touchdown.
Mariota had a second touchdown pass before the end of the first quarter as he picked out with Bishop Sankey in the corner of the endzone, but Winston started to connect with his receivers, and kept the Buccaneers in the game when he found Austin Seferian-Jenkins at the back of the endzone.
The Titans continued to look dominant, though, as Mariota made his way back down the field before launching a pass to Harry Douglas, while a second interception from Winston allowed the Tennessee quarterback back onto the field before half time, setting up Delanie Walker for a score.
Despite their commanding lead, the AFC South side continued to add to the score in the third quarter when Mariota handed the ball off to Sankey, leaving the running back to rush for his second touchdown of the game.
With the victory assured, the Titans rested the quarterback in the fourth quarter, sending backup Zach Mettenberger on in his place, with Mariota signing off with figures of 209 yards and 13 completions from 16 attempts.
Winston did manage to make the scoreline more respectable in the final stages, getting the ball to Seferian-Jenkins to give the tight end his second touchdown of the game.
Sian Cowper
