Week 10 vs Green Bay
Mariota is coming off a game in which he had a season-high 313 passing yards and also have three touchdowns to give him 13 in his past five games. Add in a rushing touchdown last week and he was very solid in a shootout at San Diego. This game figures to be a shootout, as well, and though Mariota is dealing with an ankle issue, he should be fine. He's a sneaky start this week against a so-so Green Bay pass defense.
Week 9 at San Diego
Mariota threw for 270 yards and two scores last week and had his second game of the season without a turnover. San Diego has allowed at least 273 yards or two touchdowns passing in seven of eight games this season, so there will be some opportunities for Mariota to have some success. That said, he also hasn't topped 238 yards passing in a road game this season. If you have to start him, keep the expectations tempered. He's playing better, but this could be a very run-heavy game.
Week 8 vs. Jacksonville
Mariota threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns last week, while also scrambling two times for 14 yards. That gives him at least two TD passes in five of seven games, which is solid. Of course, the two games in which he didn't have multiple TD passes, he failed to produce a touchdown, which makes him a little inconsistent (especially since he's had just two games with more than 238 yards). He'll help out a little on the ground, however. With so many teams on a bye this week, Mariota's not a bad sleeper start. He threw for 268 yards and three TDs at home against Jacksonville last season.
Week 7 vs. Indianapolis
Mariota threw for a season-high 284 yards rushing with his second consecutive three-touchdown game last week against Cleveland. He also ran seven times for 64 yards, his second consecutive game with at least 60 yards rushing. Indianapolis has allowed at least 266 yards passing in five of six games this season and Mariota threw for 367 yards and two TDs against the Colts in his only start against them in 2015. Mariota is a nice sneaky start this week.
Week 6 vs. Cleveland
Mariota finally threw a TD pass last week. In fact, he threw three and also had seven scrambles for 60 yards and a score. But he also threw for a season-low 163 yards. Cleveland already has allowed 13 TD passes this season, including three each in each of its last three games. The Browns also have given up 278 or more yards in four of five games. Mariota is a sneaky start this week at home.
Week 5 at Miami
Mariota has seen his yardage total decrease each game, from 271 in Week 1 to 202 last week. He's thrown at least one interception each week and hasn't thrown a TD pass in each of the last two games. He did add 20 yards rushing on four attempts last week, but he's struggling right now. Miami's pass defense has been in middle of the pack and there's no reason to think Mariota's going to shake his funk this week. There are better options out there.
Week 4 at Houston
Mariota was limited to just 214 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions against what had been a soft Oakland defense. This will be Mariota's first look at Houston's pass defense, which hasn't allowed more than 216 yards passing this season and has given up just one TD pass. He was injured for both games last season against Houston. Even without J.J. Watt, the Texans will get after the second-year quarterback. Keep him on your bench.
Week 3 vs. Oakland
Mariota threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns, giving him two TD passes in each of the first two weeks. He now faces an Oakland defense that is allowing 10.8 yards per pass attempt in the first two weeks while giving up seven TD passes as well. The Titans' passing game isn't exactly on par with those of New Orleans and Atlanta - Oakland's first two opponents - but Mariota and company should have some success. Mariota could be a sneaky start this week.
Week 2 at Detroit
Mariota put the ball in the air 41 times last week, throwing for 271 yards and a pair of scores. He scrambled four times for 19 yards as well, giving him 290 yards of total offense. That's a good start. The Lions allowed 385 yards and four passing touchdowns last week to Andrew Luck. Mariota's not in Luck's class as a QB, but he should be able to exploit the holes in Detroit's secondary. And the Lions will score plenty as well, so the Titans will have to keep the pedal down. Mariota's not a natural No. 1 start this week, but he could be a sneaky one.
Week 1 vs. Minnesota
The Titans appear poised to go to a run-heavy offense and that will limit Mariota's viability as a fantasy starter even against a middle-of-the-road pass defense such as Minnesota's. The Vikings did give up 24 TD passes last season and at least one score in 14 of 16 games, so there is a little hope. But there are better options out there this week.
