Marcus Mariota Takes on Johnny Manziel

Sep 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) drops back against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tennessee Titans defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Mariota

Mariota came into the NFL with questions about how he’ll adapt to an NFL offense from the Spread. But as of Week 1, Mariota seems to have taken what head coach Ken Whisenhunt has given him and learned it quickly. And at the same time, Whisenhunt has used a few of Mariota’s Spread concepts to keep him comfortable.

Against the Buccaneers, Mariota was 13-16 for 209 yards and four touchdowns with a perfect 158.3 rating. That was his contribution to his Titans’ 42-14 blowout over Winston and his Buccaneers. But this Sunday, he’s going against a completely different animal in the Cleveland Browns.

The Buccaneers have the No. 28 pass defense from 2014, when they gave up a quarterback rating of 2014. The Browns pass defense was No. 8 in the NFL and gave up a quarterback rating of 74 in 2014. So it will be interesting to see what Mariota will be able to do against a defense on another level.

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