FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- A recipe of crisp timing, strong trust and cohesive understanding of the scheme is what all quarterback-receiver duos strive to lock down. Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota and receiver Eric Decker are already excelling in those areas in their first month together.

The connection between Mariota and Decker has been apparent throughout training camp, but it hit an apex Friday night during a two-minute drill. Mariota found Decker over the middle for 15-to-20 yard completions on three consecutive third-down plays. One time, it appeared the defense knew where the ball was going on a third-and-long situation, but Mariota still squeezed it through tight coverage.

It was a glimpse of what Titans fans could see on Sundays.

"We see the game in the same way, like we have the same eyes," Decker said after Friday night's practice at Centennial High School in Franklin.

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The appropriately named Friday Night Lights practice was the closest thing to real football that the Titans have had since last season. It had a high school feel with NFL talent and 6,822 fans to watch it all. There were large doses of situational football and pads popping as the first-team offense and defense squared off throughout the session.

Both Mariota and Decker have something to prove in 2017. For Mariota, it's quieting the "can't stay healthy" naysayers and taking his game to the next level and making his first NFL playoff appearance. For Decker, it's showing that he still is at the top of his game after missing most of last season with a shoulder injury and then being released by the Jets in June.

A lack of offensive firepower was one of the Titans' biggest weaknesses last season. General manager Jon Robinson loaded up in abundance at receiver with first-round pick Corey Davis, third-round pick Taywan Taylor and Decker joining incumbent Rishard Matthews.

Decker has been a red-zone and third-down maestro throughout his career. Coach Mike Mularkey anticipates Decker playing on the outside and in the slot. The slot is where he feasted the most Friday night. He also caught a red-zone touchdown from Mariota on a later drive.

"He's savvy; he understands routes," Mariota said. "He understands how to find ways to get open and create separation."

Decker and Mariota routinely spend time after practice correcting plays in which they made mistakes. The biggest focus, Decker said, is excelling on timing and getting on the same page to anticipate when an opening will present itself.

Mariota, Decker and Mularkey point to a workout session the quarterback organized in Nashville two weeks before the start of camp as one of the keys to this smooth start.

"You see a trust between the two of them and rightfully so," Mularkey said of Mariota and Decker. "There's a chemistry there."

With Davis set to miss at least a week or two because of a hamstring injury, the bond between Mariota and Decker will become even more important.