Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a crazy touchdown pass to HIMSELF to help seal wildcard win

  • Titans were down 21-3 in the third quarter when Mariota launched comeback
  • Threw a pass toward the endzone which was deflected back into his hands
  • Mariota is only the second NFL quarterback to catch his own touchdown pass
  • Titans beat the Chiefs 22-21 and will face either the Patriots or Steelers next

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota has pulled off the nearly impossible in a come-from-behind playoffs victory by catching his own touchdown pass.

The Titans were down 21-3 in the third quarter of their away wildcard game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night when Mariota launched the comeback march by catching his own pass.

The Titans were at third and goal when Mariota thought he saw an opening and got off a legal pass toward the endzone by a hair's breadth, just inches before the line of scrimmage. 

Chiefs cornerback Darrelle Revis batted the ball back and Mariota - an eligible reciever after the ball had been touched - caught his own deflected pass before diving toward the corner pylon for a touchdown. 

The Titans were at third and goal when Mariota thought he saw an opening and passed the ball toward the endzone, only to have it batted back toward him by a Chiefs cornerback

The Titans were at third and goal when Mariota thought he saw an opening and passed the ball toward the endzone, only to have it batted back toward him by a Chiefs cornerback

Just inches over the line of scrimmage, Mariota was an eligible receiver, and caught his own deflected pass legally before diving toward the corner pylon for a touchdown

Just inches over the line of scrimmage, Mariota was an eligible receiver, and caught his own deflected pass legally before diving toward the corner pylon for a touchdown

It is believed to be the second time in NFL history a QB has caught his own touchdown pass 

It is believed to be the second time in NFL history a QB has caught his own touchdown pass 

The play put the Titans on the march to a heart-stopping 22-21 win, stunning the teams fans.

It was the first time a player has thrown a touchdown pass to himself in the playoffs, and the first time in any game since the Vikings' Brad Johnson during the 1997 season.

'Right place, right time,' Mariota said with a smile after the game.

'Special,' said Mariota, whose 205 yards passing included the go-ahead 22-yard strike to Eric Decker with six minutes left. 

'I'm part of a great team. I'm part of a group of guys that really believe in each other. And it's something special,' he said. 

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota celebrates with fans after the team's NFL wild-card playoff win Saturday. 'Right place, right time,' he said of his TD pass to himself

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota celebrates with fans after the team's NFL wild-card playoff win Saturday. 'Right place, right time,' he said of his TD pass to himself

Only two other road teams have rallied from at least 18 down to win a playoff game in NFL history. 

The Cowboys came back from 21-3 in the first half to beat the 49ers 30-28 in December 1972, and the Lions came back from 27-7 in the second half to beat the 49ers in December 1957. 

The Titans' opponent in the divisional round will be decided Sunday. 

If the Jaguars beat the Bills in their wild-card matchup, Tennessee heads to New England to face the No. 1 seed. If Buffalo wins, the Titans head to face No. 2 seed Pittsburgh. 

 

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