Titans, Mariota eager to push aside Texans, Colts

Houston eyes 3rd straight division title

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Aug 31, (AP): The Tennessee Titans might be the AFC South’s most optimistic team thanks to quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Yes, Houston coach Bill O’Brien has picked Tom Savage as his starter with the Texans looking for a third straight division title, and Indianapolis has the always dangerous Andrew Luck maybe. The Colts are running out of time to activate Luck and his surgically repaired shoulder off the physically unable to perform list.

Jacksonville’s gone back to Blake Bortles for lack of a better option after benching him this preseason.

Then there’s Mariota, 2015’s No. 2 pick overall who had the Titans in control and chasing their first AFC South title since 2008 until breaking his right leg Dec 24 in a loss at Jacksonville . Now fully recovered, Mariota provides a big confidence boost for a team trying to follow a 9-7 record by knocking off the Texans and Colts in the division they’ve taken turns dominating.

“We have a great one in Marcus,” Titans Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Orakpo said. “We’re going to let him lead the way.”

Tennessee general manager Jon Robinson, who couldn’t fix the entire roster his first offseason, revamped the wide receiving corps and secondary in the latest overhaul.

Now it’s up to coach Mike Mularkey to help a young roster take the next In this Aug 27, 2017 file photo, Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes against the Chicago Bears in an NFL football preseason game in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP)