AFC South Power Rankings: Was Deshaun Watson the top QB in Week 1?

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans throws a pass during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans throws a pass during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 09: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 09: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

4. Marcus Mariota

This is a tough one to do, but Marcus Mariota was unable to finish the game as the starting quarterback of the Tennessee Titans as he injured his elbow in Tennessee’s 27-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

In his time on the field, Mariota was 9-of-16 for 103 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 15 yards on three carries. Blaine Gabbert entered the game following Mariota’s injury and was 11-of-22 for 117 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. For those who remember, Gabbert is no stranger to the AFC South as he spent 2011-13 with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Before he was injured, Mariota just didn’t play well, completing 56.3 percent of his passes and finished with a QB Rating of 36.2. His longest completion went for 31 yards, and that was his only pass completed for 20-plus yards.

Mariota has the ability to eventually make it to the top of the AFC South Power Rankings, but thus far he hasn’t reached that potential, and even before he was injured, his overall play wasn’t that exciting to begin with. Those in Tennessee want to see more from the former No. 2 overall pick, but it might be safe to assume some believe they’ve already seen the best from Mariota.

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