The Sports Xchange

TAMPA, Fla. — Rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota threw four touchdown passes in the first half, looking like a pro in his NFL debut as the Tennessee Titans had an easy opener, throttling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jameis Winston 42-14 at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.

“We worked hard all week and to be able to be successful and execute was good for us,” Mariota said after the game. “The entire offense played well. I’m very fortunate to be a part of the group that I am.”

The game was eagerly anticipated as the first-ever meeting of quarterbacks drafted first and second overall making their NFL debuts, but it wasn’t ever a close contest. Mariota got most of the fourth quarter off, pulled for backup Zach Mettenberger.

The Titans led 14-0 in the first four minutes, with Mariota throwing a 52-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kendall Wright. Then Winston, on his first career throw, was intercepted by Titans cornerback Coty Sensabaugh and it was returned 26 yards for a touchdown.

Mariota marched the Titans 63 yards on their next drive, hitting running back Bishop Sankey for a 12-yard touchdown pass and a 21-0 lead, just 8:11 into the game.

Mariota finished 13-for-16 for 209 yards and four touchdowns with a perfect passer rating of 158.3 for the day.

The Bucs put together a touchdown drive, with Winston scrambling to convert a fourth-and-1 and hitting tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins for a 5-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter, the first of two touchdowns between the two.

Winston finished 16-for-33 for 210 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

What we learned about the Titans:

1. Quarterback Marcus Mariota can run an NFL offense with precision and accuracy. Mariota went 13-for-16 for 209 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, getting most of the fourth quarter off. He was poised, especially on third down, finding open receivers in the middle of the field.

2. Running back Bishop Sankey starting to show marked improvement on his rookie season. Sankey finished with 74 yards on 12 carries, including a late touchdown. He and newly acquired Terrance West got extra work with a huge lead early, and they combined for 115 yards on 25 carries. Sankey added two catches for 12 yards as well.

3. Defensive end Derrick Morgan can still play well after a big contract. Morgan nearly signed with the Bucs, opted to stay with the Titans and came up with two sacks and two hurries, finishing with five total tackles. The Bucs had just two sacks as a team on the day and could have used Morgan on the outside.

Etc.:

—Rookie QB Marcus Mariota had a superb debut, throwing four touchdown passes in the first half and running the offense with ease. The Titans showed a few wrinkles — almost like an option read — but Mariota outdueled fellow rookie Jameis Winston of Tampa Bay.

–WR Kendall Wright clearly looks to be Mariota’s best weapon downfield, catching four passes for 101 yards and a 52-yard touchdown. The Titans will use their tight ends often, especially in the red zone, but Wright flashed speed that will help him become a downfield problem for opposing defenses trying to get to Mariota.

–RB Terrance West, acquired in a trade from the Cleveland Browns, handled himself well in Sunday’s debut, getting 41 yards on 13 carries, with his longest run being 12 yards. Bishop Sankey should be the starter, but West can be a solid No. 2 for Tennessee.