Mariota throws for 3 scores to help Titans beat Miami 30-17
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) Marcus Mariota threw for three touchdowns and ran for another score, helping the Tennessee Titans overcome a handful of big plays by the Miami Dolphins to win 30-17 Sunday.
Mariota bounced back with a strong game after totaling three interceptions and no TD passes in losses the past two weeks. He went 20 for 29 for 163 yards with no interceptions, and ran seven times for 60 yards.
DeMarco Murray added 121 yards rushing for the Titans, who totaled 235 on the ground. They improved to 2-3, and Miami fell to 1-4.
Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins offense turned in another woeful performance aside from the occasional long gain. Rookie Jakeem Grant scored on a 74-yard punt return , Damien Williams had a 55-yard, catch-and-run to set up a touchdown, and DeVante Parker made a 50-yard reception that led to a field goal.
But by the second quarter, the crowd was booing Tannehill. By the fourth quarter, fans were chanting for his replacement, Matt Moore, who hasn't started a game since 2011.
It didn't help that the Dolphins were without both starters on the left side of their offensive line.
The Titans sacked Tannehill six times, doubling their season total. Brian Orakpo had two to increase his season total to six. Derrick Morgan and Jurrell Casey added two apiece.
The Titans' Jason McCourty yanked a pass away from Parker for an interception to set up a field goal.
Mariota directed touchdown drives of 61, 76, 75 yards and 66 yards. He scored his first rushing touchdown of the year on a 5-yard keeper , and threw for scores of 5 yards to Andre Johnson, 20 yards to Delanie Walker and 4 yards to former Dolphin Rishard Matthews.
Tannehill finished 12 for 18 for 191 yards with two interceptions.
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