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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) plays against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Marcus Mariota guided Tennessee on a 12-play, 73 yard drive for the game-winning touchdown with 36 seconds remaining in the Titans’ 24-20 victory over Cincinnati today in Nashville.
The drive, which ended with a 7-yard touchdown pass to DeMarco Murray, gave the Titans their fourth consecutive victory and a 6-3 record, their best start since 2008, the last time they reached the playoffs.
It was Murray’s third score of the game and helps the Titans remain in first place in the AFC South.
The Bengals, who sacked Mariota four times, took their only lead, 20-17, with a 70-yard Andy Dalton to A. J. Green touchdown pass with 5 minutes, 3 seconds remaining.
But Mariota guided the Titans on the winning drive, completing 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards and a made an important five-yard run to the 7 yardline for a first down.
Mariota suffered what was described as a dinged up left (non-throwing) shoulder but said afterward he wasn’t coming out, “If I can walk, I can play,” Mariota said.
Mariota told a post-game press conference, “Especially in that moment I just wanted to give our guys an opportunity to win,” Mariota said. “As a competitor, as an athlete you want to make the play that helps your team win. It is fun to be in those situations.”
Mariota completed 25 of 44 passes for 264 yards with the one touchdown and one interception. He also ran for 51 yards.
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