Marcus Mariota

The Jacksonville Jaguars snapped their recent losing streak against the Tennessee Titans with a 20-7 victory in Thursday’s AFC South showdown at TIAA Bank Field.

Jacksonville improved to 1-2 on the season and pulled even with the rest of the teams in the division in the win column. It also ended Tennessee’s four-game winning streak in the series that dated back to the 2016 campaign.

Gardner Minshew II spearheaded the effort at 20-of-30 for 204 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions, while DJ Chark Jr. added four catches for 76 yards and a score.

On the other side, Marcus Mariota struggled for much of the game and finished 22-of-39 for 282 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. Derrick Henry at least found the end zone but was limited to 44 yards on 17 carries.

Notable Fantasy Stats

• Gardner Minshew II: 20-of-30 for 204 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions
• Leonard Fournette: 15 carries, 66 rushing yards, 6 catches, 26 receiving yards and 0 touchdowns
• Dede Westbrook: 5 catches, 46 yards and 0 touchdowns (9 targets)
• DJ Chark Jr.: 4 catches, 76 yards and 1 touchdown (5 targets)

• Marcus Mariota: 22-of-39 for 282 yards, 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions (34 rushing yards)
• Derrick Henry: 17 carries, 44 yards, 1 catch, 2 receiving yards and 0 touchdowns
• Delanie Walker: 7 catches, 64 yards and 0 touchdowns (9 targets)
• Adam Humphries: 6 catches, 93 yards and 0 touchdowns (9 targets) 

Minshew's Legend Grows in Primetime

Welcome to the show, Minshew.

Minshew made his first national television appearance in the NFL in place of the injured Nick Foles, but he is already a viral sensation for his hair, style and mustache. The sixth-round pick out of Washington State only added to his legendary status by leading his team to its first victory.

He dropped dimes right out of the gate, finding James O'Shaughnessy and Chark for touchdowns in the first quarter. His throw to Chark was particularly impressive, as he placed the deep ball perfectly in stride over the defense. Minshew would have had another touchdown if Dede Westbrook didn't drop what may have been his most beautiful throw of the evening.

Minshew saved Jacksonville from a relatively quiet performance from Leonard Fournette, but the defense deserves plenty of credit, as well.

Calais Campbell overwhelmed Tennessee's offensive line and finished with three sacks, helping change some of the headlines on that side of the ball after cornerback Jalen Ramsey made news all week with trade discussions following Sunday's altercation with head coach Doug Marrone during a loss to the Houston Texans.

Ramsey was also a factor in the defense's showing by providing support in the run game, snuffing out screens and short passes and even drawing an offensive pass interference on a deep ball. It is a testament to his talent he was on the field and played as well as he did despite the speculation around his future.

Mariota Flops With Division Lead on the Line

Casual fans would be forgiven if they thought Mariota was the sixth-round draft pick at quarterback during Thursday's game instead of 2015's No. 2 overall pick.

The Oregon product was the second-best quarterback on the field, throwing for an ugly 62 yards in the first half and putting his team in comeback mode throughout the game. He struggled with his reads, couldn't handle Jacksonville's pressure and allowed the home team to move additional defenders into the box to account for Henry.

Henry didn't help matters by dropping a wide-open screen pass he could have parlayed into a touchdown with the amount of space in front of him, but Tennessee's issues started up front and under center.

Even when Mariota finally made a good throw to Tajae Sharpe on the first possession of the second half, he let it go to waste with two straight incompletions to Delanie Walker and a sack on 4th-and-goal.

It was clear who was going to win at that point, and Mariota never provided a reasonable path to victory for the Titans.

What's Next?

Both teams are on the road in Week 4 with the Jaguars facing the Denver Broncos and the Titans playing the Atlanta Falcons.

With the advent of Week 1, there is new blood on the waiver wire, and the fantasy sharks are primed to feast. Fortunately, there weren't many injuries to shake up depth charts and, consequently, player relevances. Instead, this week featured some impressive performances that engender waiver consideration. 

While there were some big games from players who may be on some waiver wires, we're only considering those who are owned in less than 33 percent of Yahoo leagues. 

That means no discussion of DK Metcalf (38 percent owned, six targets, four receptions, 89 yards), Jamison Crowder (46 percent owned, 17 targets, 14 receptions, 99 yards, one carry, four yards) or T.J. Hockenson (50 percent owned, nine targets, six receptions, 131 yards, one TD). 

Here are some waiver targets to either go after for Week 2 or keep in mind as the season progresses as well as some discussion of the top three pickups: Malcolm Brown, Marquise Brown and John Ross.

Week 2 Waiver-Wire Targets

• Marcus Mariota, QB, TEN (7 percent owned)

• Malcolm Brown, RB, LAR (11 percent owned)

• Danny Amendola, WR, DET (5 percent owned)

• Marquise Brown, WR, BAL (31 percent owned)

• D.J. Chark, WR, JAX (2 percent owned)

• Chris Conley, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (1 percent owned)

• KeeSean Johnson, WR, ARI (2 percent owned)

• Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (2 percent owned)

• DeVante Parker, WR, MIA (14 percent owned)

• John Ross, WR, CIN (9 percent owned)

Malcolm Brown, RB, LAR (11 percent owned)

Brown had 11 carries for 53 yards and two touchdowns in the Los Angeles Rams' win over the Carolina Panthers. In a tight contest, Todd Gurley had 14 carries (97 yards, zero touchdowns) and his formerly presumed handcuff, third-round rookie Darrell Henderson (67 percent owned) had just one (zero yards). 

If Brown is going to be nearly matching Gurley's carries, in a close game nonetheless while earning the goal-line work, then he becomes both a valuable handcuff and a potential flex with standalone value.  

Marquise Brown, WR, BAL (31 percent owned)

Despite being the first wide receiver drafted in the 2019 NFL draft, our list's second Brown is owned in just under one-third of fantasy leagues. Maybe it's because of concern over his recovery from Lisfranc surgery or skepticism that Lamar Jackson could actually throw the ball, but Hollywood's ownership ought to jump after a statement against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1. 

Brown received five targets, pulled in four and converted them into 147 yards and two touchdowns. Given how quickly the Dolphins game got out of hand, his five targets actually equated to about 19 percent of Jackson and Robert Griffin III's 26 total pass attempts—a welcome sign for the speedy playmaker.

John Ross, WR, CIN (9 percent owned)

After disappointing rookie and sophomore seasons, 2017 first-round pick John Ross got less attention from fantasy analysts than Tyler Boyd and even Damion Willis in the wake of A.J. Green's injury this July. 

While those two did earn targets in Week 1 (11 and five, respectively), it was Ross who garnered the most attention (12 targets), yards (158) and touchdowns (two). The 23-year-old finally put his 4.22 40-yard speed to use as he nearly doubled his career yardage total while the Cincinnati Bengals nearly defeated the Seattle Seahawks. 

As for the others, here are some stats and minor notes on their potential:

Marcus Mariota, QB, TEN

• 7 percent owned

• Passing: 14-of-24, 248 yards, three TDs

• Rushing: three rushes, 24 yards

• The Cleveland Browns might be bad, or Mariota may be a quarterback with rushing upside and a passing corps that's improved by Delanie Walker's return and the additions of Adam Humphries and AJ Brown. 

Danny Amendola, WR, DET

• 5 percent owned

• Receiving: 13 targets, seven receptions, 104 yards, one TD

• Paced the Detroit Lions in targets during a close game and could mean value in PPR. 

D.J. Chark, WR, JAX

• 2 percent owned

• Receiving: four targets, four receptions, 146 yards, one TD

Chris Conley, WR, JAX

• 1 percent owned

• Receiving: seven targets, six receptions, 97 yards, one TD

KeeSean Johnson, WR, ARI 

• 2 percent owned

• Receiving: 10 targets, five receptions, 46 yards

Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS

• 2 percent owned

• Receiving: seven targets, five receptions, 125 yards, one TD

• McLaurin showed serious speed and the ability to catch contested balls. He had the most receptions among Washington receivers and could carve out an even larger role in the offense.

DeVante Parker, WR, MIA

• 14 percent owned

• Receiving: seven targets, three receptions, 75 yards

• The Dolphins are going to throw a lot, and the 6'3", talented-yet-inconsistent Parker had the largest slice of that target-allocation pie in Week 1.

If the third game of the preseason is the closest thing there is to an NFL dress rehearsal, the Pittsburgh Steelers should feel far better about the 2019 campaign than the Tennessee Titans. 

Pittsburgh moved to 3-0 in the preseason with an 18-6 victory Sunday at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee is 1-2 but has larger concerns than a preseason loss given the performances of the respective first-team units.

Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers starting offense needed a couple of punts to settle in, but he eventually found JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 17-yard touchdown after a heavy dose of the No. 1 receiver and running back James Conner put Pittsburgh in position to score. 

Big Ben finished 8-of-13 for 63 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions, calling it a day before the end of the first quarter. Conner tallied 41 yards on five carries, and Smith-Schuster had four catches for 37 yards and a touchdown.

It was Roethlisberger's first action of the preseason, and the offense looked ready to go even without Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell. While Bell sat out last season, Brown helped create holes for Conner with the additional attention he draws. Still, the six-time Pro Bowler looked comfortable under center as the primary reason there is remaining optimism in Pittsburgh.

The same cannot be said about Tennessee's starting unit.

Running back Derrick Henry's absence didn't help, but Marcus Mariota and Co. scored more points for the Steelers than the Titans. The Oregon product didn't complete any of his three pass attempts and ended his night on his back in the end zone when Stephon Tuitt sacked him for a safety.

That was it for Mariota, who was unable to build any momentum after directing a 10-play, 87-yard touchdown drive against the New England Patriots last time out. His offensive line struggled against Pittsburgh's front, and he couldn't get rid of the ball before it was too late.

He can at least take solace in knowing Pittsburgh's starting defense didn't take it any easier on Ryan Tannehill, with massive sacks from Tuitt, Vince Williams and Cameron Heyward. It was no accident Tennessee had a mere three points at the half with the Steelers starters flying around on all three defensive levels.

Tannehill finished 6-of-9 for 62 yards, zero touchdowns and zero picks, failing to make any notable statement after Mariota saw limited action.

Mason Rudolph and Joshua Dobbs didn't have to face Pittsburgh's defensive line while competing for the backup position behind Roethlisberger, and the former wasted little time making an impression when he found Oklahoma State teammate James Washington for a 41-yard touchdown on his first throw.

It was the high point of an up-and-down day for Rudolph, who tried the Big 12 connection again only to be intercepted by Amani Hooker.

He finished 6-of-9 for 75 yards, one touchdown and one interception before giving way to Dobbs for the entire second half. The Tennessee product faced all backups and went a mere 4-of-9 for 79 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.

Dobbs at least directed a field-goal drive and protected the lead thanks to a stingy Steelers defense that took a bend-but-don't-break approach against Titans third-stringer Logan Woodside. 

Woodside went 11-of-15 for 117 yards but was unable to provide the Titans with the silver lining of a late touchdown drive in what was a dismal showing from the offense. Pittsburgh finished with seven sacks and set the tone on the defensive side throughout the contest.

What's Next?

The Titans and Steelers finish their preseason slates Thursday with road games against the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers, respectively.

The Tennessee Titans reside in limbo because quarterback Marcus Mariota hasn't progressed as expected.

While Mariota can make all of the throws expected of an NFL signal-caller, he lacks the ability to elevate his supporting cast. The Titans have finished 9-7 for three straight seasons with him under center, and they have only one playoff victory throughout his four-year career.

Instead of trying to extend Mariota this offseason, the Titans picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. They'll undertake a wait-and-see approach this fall before deciding whether to commit to the 25-year-old beyond this season.

Head coach Mike Vrabel recently spoke about that situation, per The MMQB's Robert Klemko: 

"I think everybody has a contract, and we're very aware of players who are in the last year of the deal. Marcus is obviously one of those. When you make a commitment to the QB, you want to make sure that this is going to be your guy for the next 7-10 years when you look at the percentage of the cap quarterbacks are driving.

"Nobody is more proud of what Marcus has done in the offseason than me. He's come back stronger, bigger, with greater understanding of what we're doing offensively, being able to communicate it to players the field. I don't look at the lack of a long-term extension as a negative, though that's what people try to make it. I know Marcus's demeanor, and that won't change whether he's on a 10-year contract or its up after the season. He's that type of person. So I know it'll work because of how he is."

Vrabel might not see Mariota's lack of an extension as a negative, but it isn't a positive, either. 

When drafting a quarterback that high, teams hope to achieve long-term stability by finding a signal-caller who deserves a hefty extension. Instead, Mariota and 2015 first overall pick Jameis Winston will be the first two quarterbacks under the current CBA to play out their full five-year rookie deals. 

Numerous factors contributed to Mariota's lack of growth, including multiple injuries, coaching changes and a poor supporting cast. However, those excuses no longer matter since Tennessee soon must decide whether to hand him a massive contract.

Tennessee changed offensive coordinators this offseason for the fourth time in the past five years, but Vrabel promoted tight ends coach Arthur Smith to the position. Familiarity was a deciding factor in Smith's ascension. 

"Since Marcus has been here," Vrabel said in January, per the Tennessean's Erik Bacharach, "he's seen Arthur."

Smith spent eight seasons on the Titans staff through four different regimes before becoming the offensive play-caller. He understands the significance of continuity. 

"He's already changed enough," Smith said of Mariota, per PaulKuharsky.com. "So, when he comes in here, he'll know exactly how we're reading plays, he'll know exactly how we're calling plays. It just allows him to take another step ... I think as the whole offensive improves in Year 2, it will help the quarterback."

While Smith's promotion will add an extra layer of comfort, it may only accentuate Mariota's previous flaws.

Certain quarterbacks are great working within the constraints of their team's offensive scheme, such as Minnesota Vikings signal-caller Kirk Cousins. He can identify exactly where he needs to go with the ball and make the right throw. As such, Cousins serves as the baseline for mediocrity because he isn't expanding upon the scheme's capabilities.

A quarterback should be lauded for consistently making correct reads and throws, but the NFL isn't played in a confined manner. Breakdowns occur. Individuals make plays. Live-action performances become messy and don't always reflect play designs. Greatness emerges from the wreckage of the preordained. 

Mariota's mental processing became his greatest strength at the University of Oregon. Coupled with outstanding athleticism often utilized in designed run plays, he can be efficient and accurate.

He has yet to mature beyond that point, though. In Tennessee, he has floundered without a suitable supporting cast. 

The "exotic smashmouth" system set the Titans back years. Instead of trying to accentuate Mariota's style, the front office and coaching staff decided a physical, run-first approach was the right path. Mariota struggled in the passing game because the Titans lacked players who could create after the catch. 

Wide receiver Corey Davis, the No. 5 pick in the 2017 draft, is only part of the solution.

This offseason, the Titans bolstered their receiving corps by signing Adam Humphries and spending a second-round pick on A.J. Brown. They also upgraded their offensive front by signing veteran Rodger Saffold and drafting Nate Davis in the third round.

However, those same additions could serve as an indictment of the quarterback position. 

If Mariota is only as good as those around him, he's isn't a franchise-caliber quarterback. As Vrabel said, the Titans someone to fill the position for the next 7-10 years, not just another cog in the machine. They could get the latter from backup Ryan Tannehill.

Tennessee won't receive any help from the other AFC South members, either. The Indianapolis Colts appear capable of a Super Bowl run. The Jacksonville Jaguars should bounce back after a down year since they signed a competent quarterback in Nick Foles. The Houston Texans won the division a year ago with the NFL's worst offensive line.

Meanwhile, the Titans are arguably the AFC South's worst team heading into the 2019 season. 

Something is missing in Tennessee, and Mariota is less than a year away from entering bust status if he can't stay on the field and drastically improve this fall.  

Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @brentsobleski.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota is entering the final season of his rookie contract, but he doesn't seem too bothered by not having an extension in place.

His mentality?

"Let it ride," Mariota told reporters Tuesday, per the Associated Press. "I mean, no matter what still I get to come out here. I get to play a game that I love, and I'm going to make the most of it."

Mariota, 25, has missed eight games in his first four seasons and has battled through injuries during his career. In 2018, he threw for 2,528 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 14 games, completing 68.9 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 357 yards and two touchdowns.

He earned a grade of 76.8 from Pro Football Focus, 18th among quarterbacks.

Injuries and inconsistent play have plagued Mariota's career, which is likely the reason he's heading into the final season of his rookie deal without an extension. But he's also had three head coaches and now four offensive coordinators in his short career, a revolving door of football philosophies and schemes that likely hasn't aided his progression. 

Mike Vrabel will return as head coach, but last season's offensive coordinator, Matt LaFleur, is now the head coach of the Green Bay Packers. Former tight ends coach Arthur Smith is stepping into the coordinator role.

Tennessee's run-heavy philosophy means Mariota isn't asked to carry the offense. But he was a disappointment last season, with career lows in yards and touchdowns. If Mariota doesn't show significant improvement in 2019—or if he can't stay healthy—the Titans may go in a different direction at quarterback. 

Tennessee brought in Ryan Tannehill as a backup this offseason, though Vrabel has maintained that Mariota will be the starter.

How much longer that's true remains to be seen. Mariota was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft, with the expectation that he would become the team's franchise quarterback. The 2019 season may be his last chance to prove he's capable of becoming one. 

But for the time being, Mariota isn't worried about what anyone else has to say.

"Other people's opinions don't matter to me," he said. "I just got to be the best I can be for this team."

Marcus Mariota understands what the Tennessee Titans must do to get back in the playoffs after a disappointing end to last season. 

Per Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com, Mariota said "consistency" from week to week is how they can improve on a 9-7 record in 2018:

"We've shown up for games, we've played well. We beat some of the better teams in the league, and then we tend to kind of fall asleep. If we can build that consistent – I think it really starts at this time. Whether it's consistent route running, consistent throwing, consistent tackling – those things can be worked on now. If we are able to do that I think we'll get to a point where our success can be carried out for the entire year."

Tennessee's results from last season were an indication no one knew which version of the team was going to show up each week. 

In Weeks 2-16, the Titans had separate winning streaks of four games and three games with a three-game losing streak and back-to-back losses in Weeks 11 and 12 mixed in. They followed up a 34-10 win over the New England Patriots in Week 10 with a 38-10 loss against the Indianapolis Colts seven days later. 

The Colts also beat Tennessee 33-17 in Week 17 with the winner getting the final playoff spot in the AFC. 

One way for the Titans to develop more consistency is through Mariota. The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner seemed destined for stardom after throwing for 3,426 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2016.

Over the past two seasons, Mariota has combined to throw 24 touchdowns and 23 interceptions in 29 games. His 11 touchdowns in 2018 were tied for the fewest among all quarterbacks who attempted at least 330 passes.