Winston Becomes 1st Player Since Favre to Throw Pick-6 on 1st Pass

Tennessee’s game against the Bucs last Sunday was much anticipated because it featured the matchup of the top two picks in the 2015 NFL Draft. It looks even better for Titans fans due to the stark contrast between the Titans’ lofty position in the division and that of the Jags, Colts, and Texans for now.

Coach Lovie Smith said Monday he is confident the struggling team is headed in the right direction, despite suffering one of the most deflating losses in franchise history in Jameis Winston’s debut. The special teams unit will be tested later in the season when the weather changes. They have not made the playoffs since 2007.

Coty Sensabaugh, starting in place of injured Titans cornerback Jason McCourty, picked off a sideline throw and ran 26 yards for a TD on Winston’s first pass of the game….

Momentum shifted back to Tennessee on another fourth-down call – the Bucs’ Doug Martin was initially ruled to have a first down near midfield, but a review re-spotted the ball and he was measured short. It took the Titans just 1:50 to score. The season isn’t made on it….

“We have to keep this in perspective”.

Mariota’s performance reminded many of another sensational National Football League debut a few years earlier, when Robert Griffin III posted a 139.9 rating against the New Orleans Saints in 2012.

If Marcus Mariota turned on ESPN when he woke up this morning, he undoubtedly heard the analysts praising him for his Week 1 performance. Jameis Winston is completing 48.5 percent of his passes for 210 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Also, we discussed former Titans TE Frank Wycheck, who also has a career 158.3 passer rating (6 of 7 on trick plays with two touchdown passes). “That’s kind of how I’ve always been and will continue to be”. “Their coach did a better job coaching their football team than I did today”, Smith said, adding “but it’s one game” and not a reflection on how good Winston will become as a pro. “That’s great. I know obviously from seeing it, there’s a couple of things that haven’t been done before”. From start to finish, the Titans outplayed them. “Because sometimes it’s a couple of days before it really hits you. I can’t perform like that in the home opener, but I will perform better, and I hope the fans stay with us”. “That’s what we do”. Tennessee’s 35 first-half points are the most points the Titans have scored in a single game in over a year. You haven’t been in Tampa Bay that long.

The Bucs finished with 273 yards after being limited to 134 through three quarters.

“What’s done is done. If we didn’t learn anything from a year ago then that’s on us, so we just got to get back to work and move on to next week”, said Whisenhunt. “There will be a lot of excitement about that, and we’re looking forward to it”. There’s no one left to blame, if this thing gets ugly in a hurry.