Marcus Mariota throws 4 TDs in domination of Bucs, Jameis Winston

The rookie debuts of the first and second overall picks in April's draft did not go according to script.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota dominated offensively, going off for 175 yards and four touchdowns in the first half of Sunday's game en route to a 42-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mariota finished the day 13-of-16 for 209 yards, heading to the bench in the fourth quarter with the game no longer in doubt. Before leaving, Mariota looked poised, hitting open receivers seemingly at will as the Titans took a 42-7 lead early in the second half. He ended up with more touchdowns (4) than incompletions (3).

Mariota became the second rookie to throw four touchdowns in his NFL debut, tying Fran Tarkenton. He is the first rookie quarterback to throw four touchdowns in the first half of his debut.

Jameis Winston, who went one spot ahead of Mariota, showed flashes after throwing a pick-six on his first throw as an NFL player, but finished the game with 210 yards passing, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Many considered Winston the more NFL ready of the two prospects coming out of college, a notion Mariota may have dispelled with his sublime performance.

Running back Bishop Sankey helped the Titans' cause by rushing for 74 yards on 12 carries and tallying two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving).

The Titans will play the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, in what could be another intriguing quarterback matchup as Johnny Manziel is the possible starter for a concussed Josh McCown.