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    Winston or Mariota? Now it's, will they be back?

    The top two 2015 draft picks are on the ropes after Week 6.
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    It was the big debate before the 2015 NFL draft: Winston or Mariota? The Bucs ended the suspense when they took Jameis Winston with the top pick, and the Titans got their man in Marcus Mariota at No. 2. Now, both might be on their way out after disastrous starts in Week 6. 

    Winston threw a career-high five interceptions and lost a fumble in a 37-26 loss to the Panthers in London on Sunday and has thrown more interceptions than any other quarterback since he entered the NFL in 2015. Mariota was pulled in the third quarter after completing just seven of 18 passes (38.9 percent), being sacked three times and throwing two interceptions in a 16-0 loss to the Broncos.

    Bucs coach Bruce Arians has said he is sticking with Winston, while the Titans are expected to decide at any time whether to go with Mariota or Ryan Tannehill on Sunday against the Chargers. Either way, with both quarterbacks playing out their fifth-year options and set to become free agents after this season, the teams have big decisions to make. 

    Winston is the Bucs' all-time leading passer with 16,399 yards and has 100 touchdown passes, but he also has thrown 68 interceptions and been sacked 147 times in 59 starts. Coupled with character issues that dogged him before the draft and continued with an accusation that he groped a Uber driver and led to his suspension for the first three games of last season, and the Bucs could be ready to move on.   

    Winston has passed for 1,777 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, but he has 10 interceptions. The fumble he lost Sunday was his first this year, but it was the 19th he has given up in his career. The latest CBS Sports mock draft has the Bucs replacing him, but SporstLine oddsmakers (for entertainments purposes only) say it's not a done deal.

    Mariota has been criticized for being indecisive and holding the ball too long, and the three sacks Sunday brought his season total to 25. He has been sacked 155 times in 61 starts and has three games with a completion percentage below 40 percent, according to Pro Football Reference.   

    Mariota has completed 94 of 159 passes for 1,179 yards this season, with seven touchdowns and two interceptions, giving him a 91.7 rating. After three consecutive 9-7 seasons, the Titans might decide they have seen enough. SportsLine oddsmakers have something to say about that too.

    SportsLine Staff

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