Instant analysis: What the Titans' win over Panthers means

The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) advances against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of the preseason NFL game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.

The Titans beat the Panthers, 34-27, on Saturday at Nissan Stadium.

WHAT HAPPENED

The Titans took advantage of two Carolina turnovers to grab a 17-0 first-quarter lead en route to their first win of the preseason.

Marcus Mariota played just two series, completing 6 of 8 passes for 61 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown pass to Delanie Walker.

Derrick Henry played the first half, running 16 times for 36 yards and two touchdowns. Henry benefited from the absence of presumable regular-season starter DeMarco Murray, who has returned to preseason practice but has yet to play in either preseason game.

The Panthers overcame the 17-0 deficit and tied the game at 27 with 3:51 left.

However, the Titans' Jimmy Staten recovered a fumble at the Panthers' 3 with two minutes remaining. David Fluellen then scored on a 3-yard run to push the Titans ahead for good. Ryan Succop's extra point provided the final 34-27 score.

WHAT IT MEANS

Very little. It's a preseason game. Other than coaches (who will use the game to evaluate the second- and third-tier players for roster spots), few will remember the outcome and the individual stats after the season begins.

The Titans' starting offensive unit produced 10 points. The Titans' starting defensive unit caused a pair of turnovers in the first quarter.

STAR WATCH

QB Marcus Mariota: Completed 6 of 8 passes for 61 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown pass to Delanie Walker. He left the game after two series and the Titans ahead 10-0. Matt Cassel took over at quarterback with 3:58 left in the first quarter.

RB DeMarco Murray: Did not play.

RB Derrick Henry: Rushed 16 times for 36 yards and two touchdowns; caught three passes for 17 yards.

WR Rishard Matthews: Did not play

TE Delanie Walker: Caught a 4-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) celebrates his touchdown with offensive guard Josh Kline (64) during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Nissan Stadium Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.

DID YOU SEE THAT?

Punt returner Adoree' Jackson returned a punt 63-yards for a touchdown, but it was called back because of Titans' penalties.

HOW THEY SCORED

First quarter

TEN: Ryan Succop, 34-yard field goal. Titans, 3-0

TEN: Delanie Walker, 4-yard pass from Marcus Mariota (Succop kick). Titans, 10-0

TEN: Derrick Henry, 17-yard run (Succop kick). Titans, 17-0

Derrick Henry shows off speed, breaks away from defenders for a 17-yard touchdown

Second quarter

CAR: Christian McCaffrey, 17-yard run (Harrison Butker kick). Titans, 17-7

Derrick Henry strolls untouched into the end zone on 4th and goal

TEN: Derrick Henry, 1-yard run (Succop kick). Titans, 24-7

CAR: Butker, 46-yard field goal. Titans, 24-10

Third period

CAR: Cameron Artis-Payne, 1-yard run (Gano kick). Titans, 24-17

TEN: Succop, 50-yard field goal. Titans, 27-17

CAR: Alex Armah, 20-yard pass from Joe Webb (Gano kick). Titans 27-24

Fourth quarter

CAR: Gano, 37-yard field goal. Tied 27-27

TEN: David Fluellen, 3-yard run (Succop kick). Titans 34-27

Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of the preseason NFL game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.

THE STATISTICS

PASSING

TITANS: Mariota 6-8 61 yards, 1 TD 0 INT; Cassel 8-13 88 yards 0 TD 0 INT; Tanney 7-12 85 yards

PANTHERS: Anderson 7-12 88 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT; Gilbert 5-12 74 yards; Webb 5-6 67 yards 1 TD

RUSHING

TITANS: Fluellen 10-76; Henry 16-36 2 TD; Mariota 1-9; Cassel 1-7; Fowler 2-4; Judd 4-2, Muhammad 1-1, Ferguson 2-(-1)

PANTHERS: McCaffrey 3-33 1 TD; Stewart 4-8; Whittaker 3-23; Webb 2-17; McCaffrey 3-33 1 TD; Artis-Payne 5-70 1 TD; Young 4-15; Gilbert 1-1

RECEIVING

TITANS: Henry 3-17; Taylor 3-41; McBride 4-73; Smith 5-47; Amaro 1-10; Douglas 1-6; Walker 1-4; Fluellen 1-3

PANTHERS: Duke 3-41; Clay 2-40; McCaffrey 2-39; Benjamin 2-31; Bersin 2-28, Armah 1-20 1 TD; Funchess 1-8; Wallace 1-7; Dickson 1-5; Shepard 1-5, Manhertz 1-5

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) slides for a first down as he runs past the Carolina Panthers defense during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.

TURNING POINT

The opening minutes. The Titans drove the field on the first possession, grabbing a 3-0 lead on Ryan Succop's 34-yard field goal. After the Panthers fumbled on their first offensive play, the Titans converted the turnover into a touchdown when Mariota connected with Walker on a 4-yard touchdown.

Sure, the game wasn't truly decided until the Titans recovered a fumble late in the game and David Fluellen scored the game-winning touchdown. But after last week's 7-3 loss to the Jets, the turning point for the Titans was the first quarter when they dominated both sides of the ball.

Marcus Mariota hits Delanie Walker at the back of the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown

UP NEXT

The Titans will play their third preseason game on Aug. 27 against the Chicago Bears. Kickoff is at noon at Nissan Stadium.

Reach Dave Ammenheuser at 615-259-8352 and on Twitter @NashSportsEd.