Week 17 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Marcus Mariota has vowed to play this week with a postseason spot on the line after leaving last week's win over Washington with a stinger. But even if he does play, the Titans haven't exactly been airing the ball out of late. He had just 110 passing yards last week before exiting the game. And the first time these two teams met, he threw for 85 yards and an interception. Mariota shouldn't be in your lineup this week.
Week 16 vs. Washington Redskins
With their run-heavy attack the past two games, the Titans haven't needed much from Marcus Mariota, who has thrown for just 250 yards in the past two games, including 88 last week. He also ran just twice for 11 yards as the Titans were more intent to hand the ball to Derrick Henry. There's a good chance that's the game plan again this week against a Washington offense that will struggle to score. Mariota shouldn't be in your lineup.
Week 15 at New York Giants
With Derrick Henry having a big rushing day last week, Marcus Mariota threw for just 162 yards with an interception. He also only scrambled four times for 13 yards. The Giants' pass defense has been solid this season, but it has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards to opposing quarterbacks. That's not going to win the week for you, however. Mariota is a QB2 this week.
Week 14 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Marcus Mariota has been on a roll of late, including last week when he rallied the Titans and threw for 282 yards and a pair of scores while adding 43 rushing yards. But he threw for just 100 yards in the first meeting with the Jaguars, though he did add a season-high 51 yards rushing on seven carries. The Titans also have won three-straight games over the Jaguars. This, however, is not a game to start Mariota. This has all the look of a 14-13 or 13-10 game.
Week 13 vs. N.Y. Jets
Marcus Mariota threw for 302 yards and a pair of scores last week against the Texans, also gaining 28 yards on six rushing attempts. It was one of his best games of the season. But he's been so up and down this year that guessing when he's going to put forth a solid effort is anyone's best guess. He has been a QB1 in three of the past four games he has started and finished. Mariota could be decent this week, but he's more of a QB2 than QB1 this week.
Week 12 at Houston Texans
Marcus Mariota has been limited in practice all week and is dealing with a neck injury. That doesn't bode well for him, especially against a pass rush such as the one Houston will throw at him. There's no reason to put him in your lineup this week.
Week 11 at Indianapolis Colts
Marcus Mariota has now had back-to-back solid, if unspectacular, games, posting 228 yards and two touchdowns and 21 yards rushing last week. The Colts have allowed five TD passes in their past two games and the Titans are likely going to have to open things up a bit to keep up in this one. Mariota is playing well enough now that he's at least moved into consideration as a fantasy play, but there are far better matchups available this week unless you need to play Mariota with your starter on the bye.
Week 10 vs. New England Patriots
Marcus Mariota looked healthier last week against Dallas and produced 240 passing yards and two scores while also running 10 times for 32 yards and a score. It seems the bye week might have done him some good. The Patriots have given up some big games to opposing passers this season, but it's tough to use Mariota here given his lack of overall targets in the passing game. He shouldn't be in your lineup unless you're playing in a two-QB league.
Week 9 at Dallas Cowboys
Maybe the Titans got things worked out during their bye week, but this isn't a good matchup to test that theory. The Titans enter this game with the league's 30th-ranked scoring offense. The Cowboys have the second-best scoring defense. When the Titans faced the No. 1 scoring defense -- Baltimore -- a few weeks ago, they struggled, to say the least. There are much better plays than Mariota this week.
Week 7 at Los Angeles Chargers
Marcus Mariota threw for just 117 yards last week against Baltimore and was sacked 11 times. He didn't turn the ball over, but he had little room to operate, though he did rush for 25 yards. Now, he faces a Chargers defense that has allowed more than 300 yards passing just once and has limited three opponents to a single touchdown pass. Mariota should not be in your starting lineup.
