NFL News & Analysis

TEN-OAK grades: Titans' young offensive tackles produce solid outings

NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 20: Jack Conklin #78 of the Tennessee Titans watches from the sideline during a game against the Carolina Panthers at Nissan Stadium on August 20, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Tennessee Titans 27, Oakland Raiders 14

Here are the top takeaways and highest-graded players from the Titans' 27-14 win over the Raiders. 

Tennessee Titans

Quarterback grade: Marcus Mariota, 51.6; Alex Tanney, 62.6; Matt Cassel, 54.6

QB Marcus Mariota finds groove after early struggles

After a few inaccurate throws early, Marcus Mariota settled down and made the most of the time his offensive line rewarded him Saturday evening. He was only hurried one time all night, and finished with 170 yards on nine completions. He also flashed his skills on the ground, running twice for 21 yards with 13 of those coming after contact.

Top offensive grades:

RT Jack Conklin, 81.1

LT Taylor Lewan, 81.0

FB Jalston Fowler, 80.0

WR Andre Johnson, 74.5

TE Alex Ellis, 68.6

Solid outings for Titans' young O-linemen, Conklin and Lewan

Young tackles Jack Conklin and Taylor Lewan had their best games of the preseason, earning the two highest offensive grades for the Titans. They kept QB Marcus Mariota very clean on his 18 dropbacks, allowing him to be hit only once.

Top defensive grades

OLB Derrick Morgan, 79.6

DL Jurrell Casey, 78.8

DL DaQuan Jones, 78.7

LB Sean Spence, 77.3

OLB David Bass, 77.2

OLB Derrick Morgan earns Titans' top defensive mark

Derrick Morgan was a force in his 16 defensive snaps. Looking to find a rhythm in what most likely will be his last major workload before the regular season, he recorded two stops as well as a game-high two QB hurries.

Oakland Raiders

Quarterback grades: Derek Carr, 79.6; Matt McGloin, 43.4; Connor Cook, 53.0

Derek Carr makes most of solid pass protection

Derek Carr had an extremely efficient week, finishing with an overall grade of 79.6; his line did a great job protecting him in the 34 snaps he participated in, only surrendering three QB hurries. He averaged 9.4 yards per attempt on his way to 169 passing yards.

Top offensive grades

WR Johnny Holton, 83.6

QB Derek Carr, 79.6

WR Amari Cooper, 76.5

G Vadal Alexander, 75.5

T Matt McCants, 74.7

WR Amari Cooper, Derek Carr clicking early on

WR Amari Cooper and QB Derek Carr look to be heading into the regular season in good form. Cooper was targeted three times, hauling each pass for an average of 17.3 yards per catch. Cooper finished with the second-highest receiving grade of the game, only behind teammate Johnny Holton, who impressed against Tennessee’s second-teamers, averaging 18 yards per catch on three receptions. 

Top defensive grades

CB David Amerson, 83.8

LB Malcolm Smith, 82.2

DL Denico Autry, 78.9

DL Branden Jackson, 78.1

LB Ben Heeney, 77.7

Raiders cornerback David Amerson living up to expectations

David Amerson showed why expectations are so high for him this season after the Raiders signed him to a five-year deal this offseason. He allowed only three catches on eight targets for 30 yards and recorded two pass defenses.

Raiders positional rankings

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