KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Marcus Mariota got off to a slow start for Tennessee (1-2), misfiring on his first three throws. But the first-round pick out of Oregon was 7 of 8 for 99 yards the rest of the half, and showed the kind of elusiveness that made him such a dangerous run-pass option in college in a 34-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Marcus Mariota got off to a slow start for Tennessee (1-2), misfiring on his first three throws. But the first-round pick out of Oregon was 7 of 8 for 99 yards the rest of the half, and showed the kind of elusiveness that made him such a dangerous run-pass option in college in a 34-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday
“Kansas City has a very good defense, and for us to be able to score points against them, it says a lot about where we have come from,” Mariota said. “A lot of it we can still improve.”
Alex Smith threw for 171 yards and two touchdowns in less than a half, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense looked the sharpest it has all preseason in the weather-shortened win.
The game was called with 3 minutes, 50 seconds remaining after thunder rumbled and lightning streaked across the sky. Heavy rains had turned one end zone into a lake.
Smith was 16 of 18 before giving way to third-string quarterback Aaron Murray just before halftime. Murray played the rest of the game for the Chiefs (3-0), throwing for 146 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception as backup Chase Daniel got the night off.
The third preseason game is typically the dress rehearsal for most teams, but the Chiefs and Titans both played their starters sparingly as they strive to remain healthy.
Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, who played 10 snaps total the first two preseason games, carried three times for 26 yards and caught two passes for 15 yards. Jeremy Maclin hauled in seven catches for 65 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown grab that made it 7-0.
Travis Kelce also caught a touchdown pass for Kansas City, while All-Pro linebacker Justin Houston had his first sack of the preseason when he tracked down Mariota before halftime.
The Titans, still trying to settle on an offensive line, struggled to move the ball on the ground. Bishop Sankey ran six times for just 17 yards, while former Chiefs wide receiver Dexter McCluster at least managed to move the chains when he got a handful of carries.
Zach Mettenberger, who had played so well for Tennessee that some have wondered whether he’ll be traded, took over to start the second half. He was 3 of 11 for 38 yards.
Antonio Andrews had a short touchdown run late in the first half for the Titans.
Titans tight end Delanie Walker made his preseason debut after getting 12 stitches in his left thumb, catching a pass that went nowhere. Nose tackle Sammie Hill (knee surgery), cornerback Jason McCourty (groin) and defensive end DaQuan Jones (bruised leg) remained out, while safety Da’Norris Searcy left with a knee injury in the first half.
The Chiefs played without left tackle Eric Fisher (ankle sprain) and right guard Jeff Allen (knee strain), while wide receiver Albert Wilson left early with a shoulder injury.
Patriots 17,
Panthers 16
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Tom Brady overcame two early interceptions to lead his first touchdown drive of the preseason as the New England Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers 17-16 on Friday night.
The preseason has been a titanic struggle for Brady, who is awaiting word on his appeal of a four-game suspension for his role in “Deflategate.”
After managing just three first downs in his first 11 preseason possessions, Brady finally got on track, leading an 80-yard scoring drive before halftime running the hurry-up offense. He capped the drive with a well-placed 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Scott Chandler.
The Patriots played again without tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receivers Brandon LaFell and Julian Edelman.
Carolina managed just two field goals in the first half behind Cam Newton and trailed 7-6 at halftime. Corey Brown bobbled away an easy TD pass from Newton — one of four Carolina drops in the first half.
LIONS 22,
JAGUARS 17
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Matthew Stafford completed 11 of 15 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. The Lions (2-1) trailed most of the night, but rookie Zach Zenner’s 3-yard touchdown run with 1:41 remaining was the winner.
Detroit played without star receiver Calvin Johnson for the third consecutive game, but Stafford carved up Jacksonville’s secondary in a half of work. Stafford threw a perfect deep ball to Golden Tate for a 62-yarder in the second quarter and then hooked up with Corey Fuller for a 4-yard score.
Zenner had a 41-yard scamper that set up Fuller’s score. He finished with 85 yards on eight carries.
Blake Bortles was the story again for Jacksonville (1-2). He completed 20 of 29 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 38 yards, including two third-down scrambles that kept scoring drives alive.