The Sports Xchange

Tennessee Titans (0-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker, Steve Beuerlein, Chris Fischer

*Keys to the game: The Titans may be impressed with QB Marcus Mariota’s ability to pick up the offense during the preseason, but now the real bullets fly and coach Ken Whisenhunt knows his rookie needs support. The team kept only four wide receivers while stacking five tight ends after final roster cuts, a further indication Whisenhunt plans a conservative approach that includes plenty of high-percentage passes. Key will be improved play from the offensive line, and top wide receiver Kendall Wright is at his best working the underbelly of a defense.

Jameis Winston, the only player picked ahead of Mariota in last spring’s draft, is also saddled with an offensive line coming off an abysmal season. The Bucs have lauded his maturity and leadership, but just as important will be Winston’s decision-making. He has never been exposed in live game action against the type of formations and blitz packages Titans defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will throw at him. Winston must get help from the ground corps lead by Doug Martin and Charles Sims, helping to set up the vertical passing game to WRs Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.

*Matchup to watch – Mariota vs. Winston: They will be watching each other from their respective sidelines, but there is a reason the NFL scheduled the two worst teams from 2014 to face each other in the season opener. The debate on who will make the better pro has been raging since they faced each other in the CFP last January, and everyone wants to see how these two marquee rookies have acclimated to the NFL.

*Player spotlight – Titans TE Delanie Walker: Walker quietly led the team with 63 catches for 890 yards last season to go with four touchdowns. Mariota used his tight ends heavily at Oregon, and he’ll find Walker to be a comfortable security blanket adept at making plays after the catch.

*Fast facts: Mariota will be the first rookie quarterback to start on Kickoff Weekend in Titans franchise history. … There are only 15 players left on the Bucs’ roster from when head coach Lovie Smith was hired in January 2014.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

All eyes will be on Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston, but these are two rosters that still have plenty of holes to fill to support their quarterbacks. Winston is playing behind a suspect offensive line and his 18 picks last year are worrisome when facing a swarming Dick LeBeau 3-4 scheme.

*Our pick: Titans 16-13