The Tennessee Titans' first-team offense operated smoothly on Saturday and found multiple big plays in the first half of the team's third preseason game.

Against an Oakland Raiders defense with some quality talent that held Tennessee's offense to 17 points in Nashville last season, the Titans got a great mix of play calls from offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie and some super production in their 27-14 win.

QB Marcus Mariota hit on pass plays of 60 yards to Tajae Sharpe, 38 to Andre Johnson, 19 to Rishard Matthews, 14 to Johnson, 13 to Johnson and 13 to Anthony Fasano.

Marcus Mariota completed 9 of 16 passes for 170 yards in an exhibition win over the Raiders. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

The Titans had four runs of 10 yards or more: Two for 17 from DeMarco Murray, one for 13 from Mariota, who then lateraled to Harry Douglas for 8 more, and 10 from Derrick Henry.

During a national telecast, CBS asked Titans coach Mike Mularkey at halftime what stood out to him about Mariota.

"Really, some of the throws on third down, staying in the pocket -- he was getting some pressure from the outside, stepping up and making some of the throws," Mularkey said. "And with his feet he's a dangerous weapon for us, and it showed here."

Said center Ben Jones to Titans Radio: "We definitely had mistakes and stuff like that through the course of the game, but we're on the climb right now and just looking forward to it each week. We're getting better each week."

QB depth chart: Mariota hit on 9 of 16 passes for 170 yards for a 93.2 passer rating. His 60-yard connection to Sharpe was well-read by Oakland corner Sean Smith, who looked to have it cut off but let the ball through. Sharpe corralled it and ran a long way after he got it. Mariota also ran three times for 20 yards, pump-faking a lateral on one play to beat one defender, and then lateraling to Douglas for additional yards. Matt Cassel followed Mariota at quarterback with just three pass attempts before Alex Tanney took over. He also hardly threw.

Maybe that player could start: Inside linebacker Sean Spence made a giant hit on DeAndre Washington as he turned upfield after a short catch from Matt McGloin. Spence put his helmet on the ball and David Bass scooped it and took it 47 yards for a touchdown. Spence is already a regular in the nickel package. He is unlikely to displace Wesley Woodyard in the base defense but has made plays in the preseason that suggest he'd be fine if asked.

Who got hurt? Tight end Delanie Walker couldn't catch his breath and didn't feel right, CBS reported. He headed to the locker room during the first half. But he was on the sideline with the team in the second half.

A surprise player who impressed: The Titans haven't given Johnson a great deal of work in the preseason games. Mularkey said he is well-aware of what the receiver can do. He's no surprise player, but it was surprising production from him in the first half, with three catches for 65 yards on successive plays.

When it was starters vs. starters, the Titans looked …: Really good on offense, pretty iffy on defense. The offense settled for two field goals but scored on four drives before a kneel-down to end the half. The run-pass split was a tidy 170 yards passing and 108 rushing. Defensively, the Titans gave up a first-drive touchdown again, struggled with backs catching passes again, and had a lot of trouble in the secondary again.

One reason to be concerned: Raiders QB Derek Carr was the third consecutive starting quarterback to shred the Titans. He posted a passer rating of 133.8 after Cam Newton's 137.5 and Philip Rivers' 149.3.

Left guard looks decided: Mularkey said this week the Titans intended to get rookie Sebastian Tretola some work with the first team at left guard after a very average performance by Quinton Spain there last week. But Tretola didn't get in with the 1s. The starting offensive line had a big role in a productive half, and it'll be a huge surprise if Spain hasn't secured the starting job.

Fourth corner: Antwon Blake, who seems to be positioned as the Titans fourth cornerback, got burned big for a second week in a row during fill-in work with the first team. Receiver Michael Crabtree made Blake look pretty silly on a 41-yard catch on the Raiders' first drive. The Titans need a fourth corner who is more than a special-teamer. In the last two weeks Blake sure has not looked capable.