Mariota tosses 4 TDs as Titans dominate Packers
The Sports Xchange
Nov 13, 2016
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- For the Tennessee Titans, it was further proof that they are heading in the right direction.
For the Green Bay Packers, it was further cause for concern.
Tennessee led 21-0 before the first quarter was over and held off Green Bay for the game's remainder to pick up a surprising 47-25 win Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
In upping their record to 5-5, the Titans got a huge game from quarterback Marcus Mariota, who completed 19 of 26 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns. Mariota has 21 touchdown passes for the year, becoming the first Tennessee quarterback since Steve McNair (24) in 2003 to reach 20 in a season.
DeMarco Murray and Delanie Walker also enjoyed big days for the Titans. Murray rushed 17 times for 123 yards, taking his first carry of the day 75 yards off left tackle to give Tennessee a 7-0 lead just 103 seconds into the game.
Murray then added passing to his arsenal, hitting Walker on a 10-yard halfback option throw with 6:58 left in the first quarter for a 14-0 lead. It was one of nine catches for Walker, good for 124 yards.
Mariota capped a 21-point quarter when he found Anthony Fasano for a 9-yard touchdown pass with eight seconds remaining. The Titans outgained the Packers 231-26 in the period.
Green Bay (4-5) was able to rack up some good numbers for the day's remainder. Aaron Rodgers completed 31 of 52 passes for 371 yards and two touchdowns, while receivers Davante Adams (6 catches, 156 yards) and Jordy Nelson (12 receptions, 126 yards, one touchdown) feasted on the Tennessee secondary.
But the Titans were able to maintain a double-figure lead over the last three quarters. The defense sacked Rodgers five times and intercepted two passes, while the offense answered the Packers' scores by adding on to their total.
Rodgers' 20-yard scramble for a touchdown drew Green Bay within 35-22 with 8:53 left in the third quarter, but Mariota responded with a 33-yard scoring strike to rookie Tajae Sharpe with 6:27 remaining to make it 41-22.
Mason Crosby's 38-yard field goal with 57 seconds left in the quarter cut the deficit to 41-25. However, Ryan Succop converted field goals of 51 and 23 yards in the fourth quarter for Tennessee.
The Packers remained a game behind Minnesota and idle Detroit in the NFC North, while the Titans stayed 1 1/2 games behind Houston in the AFC South.
Tennessee won despite the ejection of left tackle Taylor Lewan less than five minutes into the first quarter for contacting an official.
NOTES: Green Bay's inactives were led by LB Clay Matthews (hamstring) and TE Jared Cook (ankle). Also inactive for the Packers were CB Damarious Randall, RB Don Jackson, OT Kyle Murphy, C/G JC Tretter and DT Christian Ringo. ... Tennessee's inactives were WR Tre McBride, RB David Fluellen, DB Curtis Riley, OLB Aaron Wallace, G Sebastian Tretola, TE Jace Amaro and DL Al Woods. ... The Titans entered the game having scored at least 26 points in five straight games, the first time they have done that since 2003.
Nov 13, 2016
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- For the Tennessee Titans, it was further proof that they are heading in the right direction.
For the Green Bay Packers, it was further cause for concern.
Tennessee led 21-0 before the first quarter was over and held off Green Bay for the game's remainder to pick up a surprising 47-25 win Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
In upping their record to 5-5, the Titans got a huge game from quarterback Marcus Mariota, who completed 19 of 26 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns. Mariota has 21 touchdown passes for the year, becoming the first Tennessee quarterback since Steve McNair (24) in 2003 to reach 20 in a season.
DeMarco Murray and Delanie Walker also enjoyed big days for the Titans. Murray rushed 17 times for 123 yards, taking his first carry of the day 75 yards off left tackle to give Tennessee a 7-0 lead just 103 seconds into the game.
Murray then added passing to his arsenal, hitting Walker on a 10-yard halfback option throw with 6:58 left in the first quarter for a 14-0 lead. It was one of nine catches for Walker, good for 124 yards.
Mariota capped a 21-point quarter when he found Anthony Fasano for a 9-yard touchdown pass with eight seconds remaining. The Titans outgained the Packers 231-26 in the period.
Green Bay (4-5) was able to rack up some good numbers for the day's remainder. Aaron Rodgers completed 31 of 52 passes for 371 yards and two touchdowns, while receivers Davante Adams (6 catches, 156 yards) and Jordy Nelson (12 receptions, 126 yards, one touchdown) feasted on the Tennessee secondary.
But the Titans were able to maintain a double-figure lead over the last three quarters. The defense sacked Rodgers five times and intercepted two passes, while the offense answered the Packers' scores by adding on to their total.
Rodgers' 20-yard scramble for a touchdown drew Green Bay within 35-22 with 8:53 left in the third quarter, but Mariota responded with a 33-yard scoring strike to rookie Tajae Sharpe with 6:27 remaining to make it 41-22.
Mason Crosby's 38-yard field goal with 57 seconds left in the quarter cut the deficit to 41-25. However, Ryan Succop converted field goals of 51 and 23 yards in the fourth quarter for Tennessee.
The Packers remained a game behind Minnesota and idle Detroit in the NFC North, while the Titans stayed 1 1/2 games behind Houston in the AFC South.
Tennessee won despite the ejection of left tackle Taylor Lewan less than five minutes into the first quarter for contacting an official.
NOTES: Green Bay's inactives were led by LB Clay Matthews (hamstring) and TE Jared Cook (ankle). Also inactive for the Packers were CB Damarious Randall, RB Don Jackson, OT Kyle Murphy, C/G JC Tretter and DT Christian Ringo. ... Tennessee's inactives were WR Tre McBride, RB David Fluellen, DB Curtis Riley, OLB Aaron Wallace, G Sebastian Tretola, TE Jace Amaro and DL Al Woods. ... The Titans entered the game having scored at least 26 points in five straight games, the first time they have done that since 2003.
