How Marcus Mariota could clinch a Titans playoff berth this weekend

The Titans are all but locked into a playoff spot heading into Week 16. Mike broke down all the scenarios already, but I wanted to spotlight one that may hold particular ironic significance.

It’s true that if the Titans take care of business, they don’t have to worry about any other team winning or losing. I’m very aware of this reality, you don’t have to tell me every time I tweet about the Titans playoff scenarios. Regardless of what the Titans do, there are other teams that could help them clinch sooner — which may allow the Titans to rest key players in Week 17. So yes, we’ll continue looking at all the scenarios that may help Tennessee.

One of those scenarios takes place this-coming Saturday night, with the Miami Dolphins heading to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders. A little over a week after Marcus Mariota electrified the final Thursday Night Football game of the 2020 season, the former Titans quarterback is seemingly in line to start another game for the Raiders with Derek Carr’s groin injury.

Last week, Mariota dueled with fellow Oregon star Justin Herbert. This week, he’s set to face fellow St. Louis High School alum Tua Tagovailoa in a Hawaiian showdown. And if that wasn’t enough storylines for one game, Mariota also takes on Ryan Tannehill’s former team with a chance to send Tannehill’s current team, and Mariota’s former team, to the playoffs.

A Miami loss seals the deal for Tennessee. Last time Mariota had a chance to seal a Titans playoff berth, he stiff-armed Barry Church into oblivion. Will he propel the Titans into the playoffs on Saturday night in a must-win game for the Raiders, who still have a (very) slim chance to play in the postseason?

I know I’ll be rooting for him.

Author: Justin GraverPerhaps best known as @titansfilmroom on Twitter, Justin Graver has been writing and creating content about the NFL and the Tennessee Titans for nearly a decade as a longtime staff writer (and social media manager) for the SB Nation site Music City Miracles. Although JG no longer writes for Broadway Sports, his Music City Audible podcast with co-host Justin Melo continues.

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