"He's one of the toughest guys I know," center Ben Jones said. "He's a true competitor, and he would do anything for this team. I love that guy to death."

Titans receivers showered more praise on Mariota.

"Marcus stepped up huge today," said Titans receiver Corey Davis, who had a pair of big catches in the game. "He's a warrior. Hat's off to him."

"That's our quarterback, and he's our leader," added receiver Taywan Taylor, who led the team with four receptions. "And we rallied around him."

Mariota replaced an injured Blaine Gabbert in the first quarter of Sunday's game. Gabbert started the contest for the second week in a row in place of Mariota, sidelined since Week One and limited in practices because of an elbow injury.

Mariota, wearing a glove with two fingers exposed, stepped in and finished off a drive that ended with a field goal by Ryan Succop that gave the Titans an early 3-0 lead. Then he did enough – running and passing – to lift the Titans to a win.

Mariota said it was the first time he'd come off the bench in a game since he was in high school.

"I am just happy for this team," Mariota said. "The work, week in and week out these guys put in, it is nice to see it rewarded. … It is a crazy game. When it comes down to it, I am really happy for these guys. Our defense played incredible, and gave us a chance to win in the end."