INDIANAPOLIS – It was just one game, but the Sports Illustrated cover spoke volumes.
Had the AFC South finally found a budding quarterback to go along with Andrew Luck?
Was Marcus Mariota that guy?
That was the talk following Mariota's professional debut, where the 2015 No. 2 overall pick was flawless in a 13-of-16, four-touchdown performance in the Titans, 42-14, win over the Buccaneers in Week One.
Mariota's Week Two outing wasn't as impressive, but his zero interceptions in 53 NFL pass attempts go a long way. He currently leads the NFL with a 129.9 quarterback rating.
It's been a start that has Titans fans hopeful for what they might finally have at the quarterback position.
Many pundits thought Mariota would have early growing pains as a pocket passer. However, he only has five rushing attempts in two games, trying to establish himself in Ken Whisenhunt's pro-style system.
The Titans are 7th right now in rushing yards per game, leaning on both Bishop Sankey (24 carries for 116 yards) and Dexter McCluster (12 carries for 106 yards).
No Titans pass catcher has more than six receptions after two games, with Mariota finding 11 different targets so far.
The offensive line has struggled to keep Mariota upright. He's been sacked nine times in two games, the worst mark in the NFL.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Titans currently sit fourth in the NFL in allowing 273.5 yards per game.
The 78-year old Dick LeBeau came over to Tennessee in the offseason (was perviously with Pittsburgh for 11 seasons). His title with the Titans is "assistant head coach" with obviously an influence on the defensive side of the ball.
Sunday's contest in Nashville will be the first of three straight AFC South games for the Colts.
The Colts have won 13 straight divisional contests.
*2015 Record: *1-1, tied for first in the AFC South.
*Head Coach: *Ken Whisenhunt, 2nd season as Titans head coach and 7th season as NFL head coach (48-66 in the regular season and 4-2 in the playoffs).
*2015 NFL Rankings: *Offense – Overall, 13th (347.0); Rushing, 7th (145.0); Passing, 23rd (202.0). Defense – Overall, 4th (273.5); Rushing, 15th (104.0); Passing, 3rd (169.5).
2015 Leading Passer: Marcus Mariota (34-of-53 comp., 466 yards, 64.2 pct., 6 TDs, 0 INTs).
*2015 Leading Rusher: *Bishop Sankey (24 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD).
*2015 Leading Receiver: *Kendall Wright (6 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD).
2015 Leading Sacker: Derrick Morgan (3.0).
2015 Turnover Breakdown: Minus 2 (tied for 24th).
2015 NFL Draft Results: After speculation on what the Titans would do with the No. 2 overall pick, they did indeed select Oregon's Marcus Mariota. In the second round, the Titans gave Mariota a potential weapon with wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham. The 6-5 Green-Beckham caught his first NFL touchdown last week. In the fifth-round, the Titans chose running back David Cobb from Minnesota, but injuries have hampered his rookie impact.
*2014 Review: *Ken Whisenhunt's first season with the Titans was a major struggle. The Titans, 26-10, season-opening win sparked early hope, but they would go on to lose 14 of their next 15 games in finishing the year at 2-14. Inconsistent play at the quarterback position led to the Titans snagging Oregon's signal caller Marcus Mariota in the draft.
Last time in Playoffs: 2008 season. Lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 13-10, in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
*Last time in Super Bowl: *1999 season. Lost to the St. Louis Rams, 23-16, in Super Bowl XXXIV.
*Super Bowl Championships: *None.
2015 Pro Bowl Selections: None.
