Marcus Mariota threw his first touchdown pass of the preseason Saturday afternoon and performed very well in the Tennessee Titans 34-27 win against the Carolina Panthers in Nissan Stadium.

Mariota completed 6-of-8 passes for 61 yards and he threw a four-year touchdown pass to tight end Delanie Walker in the first quarter. Mariota also ran once on a read-option play that gained nine yards before he slid to the turf.

Mariota's two incompletions consisted of him deliberately throwing one pass out of bounds and the other was pass intended for Walker, a play in which Walker could have been interfered with, but no penalty was called.

Mariota and the Titans offense were much crisper in their play compared to their preseason opener last week. The offense sputtered during the 7-3 loss to the New York Jets.

Preview

Marcus Mariota returned to the field last week in the Tennessee Titans first preseason game. Now he wants to do more when the Titans host the Carolina Panthers in their second preseason game Saturday afternoon (12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET, NFL Network).

You can watch the live stream of the game on NFL gamepass.

Mariota completed 2-of-3 passes for 15 yards, ran once for six yards and was sacked once while playing two series in the Titans preseason opener, a 7-3 loss to the New York Jets Aug. 12. Mariota was playing for the first time since suffering a broken right fibula in December.

Mariota is looking to develop more chemistry with his receivers, but he won't have Eric Decker on the field. Decker, twisted his ankle during Wednesday's practice and coach Mike Mularkey said he will not play Saturday. Mularkey said he doesn't think the injury is serious.

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton thrown passes during practices as he rehabs his surgically repaired shoulder, but he's not expected to play Saturday. Backup quarterback and former Oregon State star Derek Anderson is expected to start at quarterback for the Panthers.

Here's everything you need to know about the game:

What: Tennessee Titans vs. Carolina Panthers

When: Saturday, Aug. 19, 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET

Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN

TV: NFL Network

Watch online: You can watch the live stream of the game on NFL gamepass.

Local players to watch: Tennessee - QB Marcus Mariota (Oregon). Carolina: QB Derek Anderson (Oregon State), RB Jonathan Stewart (Oregon), TE Ed Dickson (Oregon), LB David Mayo (Scappoose H.S.).

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold