Marcus Mariota vs. Oakland Raiders: 17/37, 218 Yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs

4th Quarter

Pass #32

Situation: 3rd and 9 TEN 13
Description: Q4-(15:00) M. Mariota Pass Incomplete Short Right to D. Green-Beckham

Mariota (#8) needs to move quicker through his progression faster on this play. His first read is to Walker (#82) on the curl route. Walker is bracketed by Carrie (#38) and Allen (#20) though so Mariota should have abandoned this read quickly and moved on with his progression. Instead, he waits till Walker is about to go into his break of the curl route. This throws off the timing of most of his other potential throws as both Douglas (#83) and Green-Beckham (#17) are running curl routes as well. If Mariota moves quickly to Douglas in the middle of the field, he would have seen an opportunity for a completion as Thrope (#31) is outside and downfield of Douglas. An inside throw with good timing is a completion for a first down. When Mariota comes off of Walker, he goes to Green-Beckham who has Amerson on his back to the inside. Mariota does make a good read in trying to go to Green-Beckham and tries to make the right pass as he throws it low and to the outside. Mariota doesn’t get enough on the pass and Green-Beckham isn’t able to get underneath the pass after he slips on his break. This should have been a first down for the Titans, but a delayed progression and poor throw by Mariota cost the Titans. (13/26, 169 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT)

Pass #33

Situation: 2nd and 8 TEN 29
Description: Q4-(12:09) M. Mariota Pass Incomplete Short Right to D. Cobb [D. Williams]

Mariota (#8) has nowhere to go with this pass and makes the right choice to dump it off to Cobb (#23). Mariota comes off the play action fake and is reading the corner route of Wright (#13). The Raiders are in a Cover 2 and Woodson (#24) plays over the top of Wright, taking away the corner route. Mariota then looks back to his other option deep (Green-Beckham (#17) on the dig route) but Smith (#53) has dropped underneath the dig route and Mariota quickly looks to dump the ball of to Cobb. This is the right decision as Cobb is the only one open, but Mariota’s pass is made much harder by the pass rush. Gallik (#69) is getting pushed backwards by the bull rush of DT Dan Williams (#90) and Williams has gotten outside leverage on Gallik. This wouldn’t be a problem if it wasn’t for Ellis (#78) splitting Lewan (#77) and Spain (#60) which forces Mariota to his right. Mariota could have stepped up in the pocket to get behind Ellis and Williams but this is asking a lot of a QB and the natural reaction for most QBs would be to drift to their right. Mariota doesn’t throw a great pass as it is behind Cobb but Cobb should have caught this for a decent gain. Instead, Cobb bobbles the pass and Mack (#52) almost comes up with the interception. (13/27, 169 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT)

Pass #34

Situation: 3rd and 8 TEN 29
Description: Q4-(12:02) M. Mariota Pass Incomplete Short Middle to D. Green-Beckham (D. Amerson)

This is the first pass by Mariota (#8) that gets away from him high. Mariota’s first read is to Walker (#82) on the curl route. The Raiders again bracket him in coverage as both Mays (#27) and Allen (#20) are focused on him. Mariota has learned from his previous experience though as he gets off of Walker quickly. He looks to his right and sees the Green-Beckham (#17) has gotten inside leverage on Amerson (#29) and is going to be open on the dig route. Mariota doesn’t stare Green-Beckham though and takes a quick look to his left to try to get Woodson (#24) to not jump the dig route. Woodson is playing well off in his deep middle coverage so this fake out by Mariota may not matter, but I like the veteran moxie he shows. The read by Mariota is spot on, but his mechanics let him down. Mariota doesn’t step into his throw and is leaning backwards on the follow through. This causes the ball to float and Green-Beckham cannot climb the ladder to make a catch. (13/28, 169 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT)

Pass #35

Situation: 2nd and 11 OAK 43
Description: Q4-(8:17) M. Mariota Pass Incomplete Short Left to A. Andrews (M. Smith)

This is a designed swing pass to Andrews (#26) with Fasano (#80) as a lead blocker. There is nothing to talk about for Mariota (#8) and Fasano’s whiff on the block on Smith (#53) is what messes up this play. (13/29, 169 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT)

Pass #36

Situation: 3rd and 11 OAK 43
Description: Q4-(8:12) M. Mariota Pass Short Middle to A. Andrews to OAK 29 for 14 Yards (M. Smith)

There is one thing Mariota (#8) doesn’t have and that is tunnel vision. Mariota is looking at Douglas (#83) on the go route for his first read. Amerson (#29) is playing off in his man cover which means that Douglas is not going to get open till late in his route. While Mariota is waiting for this route to open up, Andrews (#26) opens up on the circle route out of the backfield as Smith (#53) gives up inside leverage in his man coverage. Mariota sees Andrews open up in his field of vision and dumps it off to Andrews instead of waiting for Douglas. This is a good read by Mariota as it is better to get the first down with an easy throw underneath then a more difficult throw deep. (14/30, 183 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT)

Pass #37

Situation: 2nd and 8 OAK 27
Description: Q4-(6:50) M. Mariota Pass Short Middle to K. Wright to OAK 20 for 7 Yards (B. Heeney)

I don’t know how Mariota (#8) could see Wright (#13) open up in the middle of the field on the curl route. Mariota is looking to his right at Douglas (#83) running the curl route. Douglas does open up due to Carrie (#38) carrying the wheel route of Walker (#82) underneath and Amerson playing deep in the Cover 3 but Mariota somehow saw that Wright has split Heeney (#51) and Smith (#53) with his curl route out of the corner of his eyes. Mariota doesn’t even take a peak at Wright directly before throwing a pass right into Wright’s chest for a good chunk of yards. Either throw to Douglas or Wright would have been a good decision, but Mariota takes the easier throw in the middle of the field instead of trying to throw the ball to the sidelines. (15/31, 190 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT)

Pass #38

Situation: 2nd and Goal OAK 8
Description: Q4-(4:59) M. Mariota Pass Incomplete Short Right to C. Stevens

Mariota (#8) gets spooked on this play and bails out of the pocket too quickly. His first read on this play is to Fasano (#80) on the pop pass but Smith (#53) jumps the route and carries it to the end zone. While he is looking at Fasano, he sees that Ellis (#78) is starting to get past Spain (#60) on the pass rush. Instead of waiting in the pocket and going through his progression till the last moment, he takes off to his right. The Titans have no one running a route to the right so Mariota has nowhere to throw the ball and has to throw it away as Mack (#52) is bearing down on him. If he waits in the pocket, he would have seen Douglas (#83) running the crossing route against Lofton (#50). This is a complete mismatch and Douglas is open underneath for a touchdown. Mariota bailing to his right though takes away this throws and dooms the play (15/32, 190 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT)

Pass #39

Situation: 3rd and Goal OAK 8
Description: Q4-(4:51) M. Mariota Pass Incomplete Short Left to H. Douglas. Penalty on OAK-N. Thorpe, Defensive Pass Interference, 7 Yards, Enforced at OAK 8 - No Play

This is one of the few times that a touch throw is a right idea in the red zone. Mariota’s (#8) first and only read is to Douglas (#83) on the post route. Douglas has inside leverage as soon as the play begins as Thorpe (#31) has lined up with outside leverage and Douglas is able to get him on his back. Mays (#27) is sitting underneath the route though so Mariota has to loft it over Mays to get a completion to Douglas. Mariota does this and makes the correct touch pass to Douglas in the back of the end zone. The ball may have been overthrown, but it is impossible to tell as Thrope commits the pass interference on Douglas and the Titans get a first and goal.

Pass #40

Situation: 1st and Goal OAK 1
Description: Q4-(4:46) M. Mariota Pass Short Right to J. Fowler for 1 Yard and Touchdown

This is an impressive throw by Mariota considering he was falling backwards and throwing against his momentum Mariota’s first read is to Walker (#82) on the flare route. Both Mack (#52) and Smith (#53) follow Walker on the flare route which leaves Rookie FB Jalston Fowler (#45) open as he leaks out of the backfield. Mariota sees this out of the corner of his eye, but this is not an easy throw as Autry (#96) is bearing down on Mariota due to Gallik (#69) whiffing on the block. Mariota has to keep fading on his roll out and he buys himself enough time to throw it over Autry and get it close enough to Fowler for the touchdown. Mariota’s athleticism shines here as a less mobile QB is either throwing this ball away or not able to buy himself enough time to make this pass to Fowler. (16/33, 191 Yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT)

Pass #41

Situation: 1st and 10 TEN 20
Description: Q4-(1:21) M. Mariota Pass Incomplete Short Left to D. Walker (M. Smith)

I honestly think Smith (#53) should have been called for holding on this play as he is holding on to Walker’s jersey past five yards but Mariota needs to make a better throw. Mariota’s (#8) first read is to Douglas (#83) on the post route. This is a long-developing route and Thrope (#31) gives Douglas troubles with the initial jam. Mariota doesn’t have time to wait for Douglas to get open though as Mack (#52) and Edwards Jr. (#97) are trying to meet at Mariota on the pass rush. Mariota does a great job stepping up in the pocket to avoid the sack and looks at Walker (#82) underneath the dig route as he is scrambling. Smith is holding on to Walker from behind, but Walker is a big body so Mariota trust Walker to fight for this catch. The pass is not placed accurately though as it is placed over Walker’s shoulder and allows Smith to make a play on the ball. If he throws it into Walker’s gut, Smith has no chance to knock the ball down and the Titans pick up some yards on first down. (16/34, 191 Yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT)

Pass #42

Situation: 2nd and 10 TEN 20
Description: Q4-(1:15) M. Mariota Pass Incomplete Short Right to H. Douglas

Mariota (#8) needs to get help from Douglas (#83) on this play as he throws a perfect pass. Mariota’s only read on this play is to Douglas on the curl route. Amerson (#29) is in great position as he is on Douglas’s inside hip, but Mariota sees an opportunity to beat Amerson to the outside since Amerson has his back to him. Mariota throws this pass with perfect timing (before Douglas is out of his break) and puts it to the outside to beat Amerson. Douglas needs to see that Amerson is on his inside hip and turn to the outside as he should know that Matriota is going to throw this ball to his outside shoulder. Douglas turns to his inside though and cannot adjust to the pass fast enough to make a catch. (16/35, 191 Yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT)

Pass #43

Situation: 3rd and 10 TEN 20
Description: Q4-(1:10) M. Mariota Pass Deep Middle to D. Walker to TEN 47 for 27 Yards (T. Carrie)

Mariota (#8) has eye fake down as this is not his first time moving the safety with his eyes. His first read is to Walker (#82) on the post route but he doesn’t look at Walker initially and is instead looking to his left. Allen (#20) drifts to his right due to Mariota’s eyes, opening up the middle of the field for Walker to move into. Smith (#53) cannot keep up with Walker on the post route and once Mariota looks back to his right he sees Walker has a step on Smith. Mariota makes the right read going to Walker and he drives the pass into Walker’s chest for the big gain. (17/36, 218 Yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT)

Pass #44

Situation: 1st and 10 TEN 47
Description: Q4-(0:50) M. Mariota Pass Deep Left Intended to D. Green-Beckham Intercepted by N. Allen at OAK 31. N. Allen to OAK 36 for 5 Yards (D. Green-Beckham)

I don’t know what Mariota (#8) is seeing on this play. Mariota is looking to his left and has to see that Thorpe (#31) is bailing in his coverage as he is responsible for the deep outside third. Green-Beckham (#17) sees this and stops his route short to get open on the sideline for a first down. Mariota must have expected that Green-Beckham or Douglas (#83) were going to continue on their routes and tries to throw it deep. This is a poor decision even if either Douglas of Green-Beckham go deep as both Allen (#20) and Thrope(#31) are going to break up this pass or get an interception. Mariota should have thrown it short to Green-Beckham instead of forcing it deep and getting it picked off by Allen. This is a rookie mistake and it costs his team a chance to at least ties the game. (17/37, 218 Yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs)

Overall Impressions

Marcus Mariota doesn’t look like a rookie when watching the film. His mental game is better then some multi-year veterans at QB already (looking at you Nick Foles). He goes through his progression on a regular basis and will look at multiple routes before making the throw. He will occasionally use his eyes to move the safety and is able to open up receivers by looking off the defense at times. His field of vision is impressive at times and he is able to process information from the corner of his eye effectively. He also shows decisiveness on his throws and a quick trigger during long stretches of the game. But he is still prone to rookie mistakes/issues. His first interception was him misreading the coverage completely and he was not on the same page with his WRs multiple times throughout the game. In the first half, he let the third down pressure get to him as he was unsure/indecisive on his throws and was slow going through his progression. He also showed where he was throwing with his body facing the direction of the pass before the throw occasionally and he needs to clean that up. What Mariota has to focus on as he grows up in his career is his mechanics and throw selection. Mariota is leaning/falling backwards on his throws far too often and this prevents him from driving his throws. He needs to focus on stepping into the throw and firing it when needed. When he does step into the throw, he does get some good velocity on the ball. He doesn’t have a cannon but with the right mechanics he could make all the throws needed in the NFL. If he keeps falling backwards on his throws, it’s going to limit what he could as a QB. Mariota is also in love with the touch pass. I don’t blame him; it’s one of the prettiest looking throws in the NFL and it’s a very catchable ball. But he also needs to use the fastball that he can fire into the tight window. This will come with experience and time. His pocket presence and ability to drop back from under center were questioned going into the draft, but he looked comfortable in the pocket most of the game and didn’t have major issues dropping back from under center. Saying all that, Mariota was better than the numbers said he was. His receivers did him no favors throughout the game and he should have had at least five more completions at the end of the game. He also drew multiple penalties with his throws and those don’t count in the stat sheet. Weather also has to be considered as well as the second half was a soggy mess.

I think Mariota has a bright future because his mental game can be one of the best in the league in a few years and his field of vision is great. Those are some of the hardest things to teach a QB and Mariota seems to be grasping these lessons quickly. The mechanics need to be fixed, but Mariota is going to have a full offseason to work on it. He already is a middle of the pack QB and that is all you can ask for with a rookie QB. Winston has a higher ceiling with the cannon of an arm, but Mariota can be a special QB in a few years. He reminds me a little of Drew Brees honestly (with a lot more athleticism) due to the great touch on his passes and similar arm strength with Brees in his prime. He’s closer to Alex Smith at the moment (which is not an insult for a rookie) but the potential for greatness is there and the Titans should be thrilled that Mariota is their QB of the future.