Tennessee Titans: 5 Bold Predictions For 2017

Sep 1, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Mularkey (right) talks with Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (left) during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Tennessee won 21-10. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Mularkey (right) talks with Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (left) during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Tennessee won 21-10. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs for a third quarter touchdown against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs for a third quarter touchdown against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Marcus Mariota Will Make The Pro-Bowl In His Third Season

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota improved greatly from his rookie season to his second season in the NFL.

As a rookie, Mariota started 12 games, passed for just under 3,000 yards and threw nine more touchdowns than he did interceptions.

In his second year, Mariota passed for 3,426 yards in 15 games and threw 17 more touchdowns than he did interceptions.

There’s absolutely no reason to think that 2017 won’t be a huge breakout season for the former Oregon Duck signal caller.

Mariota has proved he’s a franchise quarterback and now it’s time to prove he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the AFC.

(Side note: It’s easy to forget that Mariota is still only 23.)

There will be some stiff competition for Mariota. The AFC has some great quarterbacks, guys like Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Derek Carr, Andrew Luck etc.

But I think Mariota will truly shine in 2017 and prove he belongs among those names.

(Mariota could also have the benefit of replacing someone in the Pro-Bowl, which still counts!)