JAGUARS AT TITANS PREVIEW, PREDICTIONS

Stephen Lew/USA Today Sports

Can the Jaguars upset the Titans in Tennessee?

BY JORDAN DE LUGO

---

As the NFL world — myself included — morns the loss of Demaryius Thomas, I'm tasked with putting together a game preview. First, I'd like to honor DT, who was a fantastic football player and an even better person off the field.

Rest in Peace, Demaryius Thomas.

The Jaguars head north this weekend to take on their archrivals in Nashville. The Titans and Jags will do battle Sunday at 1 pm at Nissan Stadium, a field where the Jaguars have failed to achieve victory every year since 2013. The Titans sit atop the AFC South at 8-4, while the lowly Jaguars have earned just two wins in twelve tries this year.

A Tumultuous Week

The Jaguars have had a week! As if losing 37-7 against the Rams in Los Angeles wasn't enough, the Jaguars have also had two staff members, defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi (rumored) and tight end coach Tyler Bowen, sniped by college programs. Lupoi did not attempt to dispel the rumors when speaking with the media this week. They'll stick out the remainder of the season in Duval but will depart as soon as the 2021 campaign reaches the finish line. They represent the fifth and sixth members of Urban Meyer's staff to leave before the conclusion of Meyer's first regular season in Jacksonville.

On top of that, the Jaguars are dealing with a little in-house controversy. Running back James Robinson, the Jaguars' only consistent source of offense in 2021, was benched for 20 plays after an early fumble. Carlos Hyde fumbled later in the contest, but only sat on the bench for a handful of plays. After the game, Urban Meyer suggested the missed time was more about Robinson's injury. He then told the media they'd need to ask running backs coach Bernie Parmalee about the rotation in the backfield. Of course, Parmalee is not available to speak with the media this week. James Robinson joined Jags Report Live with Dan Hicken and Brent Martineau after the game and shared with them that he believed he was benched because of the fumble. "When that happens, and you're out for that long, it's kinda like you gotta feel that way," said Robinson. On Thursday, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell spoke for the first time since Sunday's loss. He refused to comment on the situation.

On to Tennessee...

The Titans have won eight of the last nine meetings with the Jaguars. They sit atop the division and are well-positioned to reach the playoffs again this year. Of course, Tennessee will be without their offensive engine, Derrick Henry, and one of the best young receivers in the game today, AJ Brown. Still, the Titans had won six straight contests before falling to the Texans and Patriots in consecutive weeks. Earlier this week, to help improve their run defense, the Titans claimed former Texans' linebacker, Zach Cunningham.

The last time these two clubs faced off, the Titans were aided by the officials, who arguably gave them 14 points on questionable calls. Still, the Jaguars' defense struggled to contain Derrick Henry down the stretch, especially in the red zone. King Henry won't suit up in this one, but D'Onta Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard have performed well in his stead. The Titans haven't lost their identity as a smash-mouth, run-first team, but even the best backups cannot replace what Derrick Henry gives you: the element of fear. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has struggled over the last two weeks without his top offensive weapon, throwing five interceptions and nine total turnover-worthy plays.

A New Hope Tee

Shop

Countless Issues in Duval

The Jaguars have big problems of their own. Beyond the exodus of staff members and the running back controversy, they haven't been able to stop the run over the last month of the season. It was the calling card of the Jaguars' defense for two months, and just like that, it was gone. Nagging injuries have slowed Malcom Brown, DaVon Hamilton, Myles Jack, and Damien Wilson during the poor stretch of play against the run. They'll need to find their footing fast if they hope to slow down these Titans, even without Derrick Henry.

The Jaguars have been horrendous on the offensive side of the ball over the last six games. Injuries have certainly hurt this offense. DJ Chark, Dan Arnold, and Jamal Agnew would help the performance on the field. And first overall pick Trevor Lawrence is not completely blameless, as he's missed on a few reads and delivered a handful of inaccurate passes. But poor play calling, receivers not being able to separate or get to their spot, dropped passes, penalties, inconsistent pass protection, and questionable personnel decisions have plagued this unit. There are flashes of brilliance, but in between those brief glimpses, this offense has found itself in a barren wasteland with no end in sight.

Predictions

Jordan de Lugo: As great as a win would be for Trevor Lawrence, Urban Meyer, and the rest of this team, it doesn't feel likely, does it? Tennesse are 8.5 point favorites. The Jaguars have failed to win in Tennessee seven straight times. These Jags have lost four straight contests and been outscored 111-48 over that stretch. Just as a timely meeting with the Jaguars was a get-right game for the Rams in week 13, I expect this contest to provide the same relief for the Titans. With no continuity or direction on offense and a defense struggling to stop the run, the Jaguars have little hope.

Jaguars 13, Titans 27

Jeremy Markoski: It shouldn’t surprise you that the Jaguars are eight and a half point dogs on Sunday, but what should give you a glimmer of hope is that they’re facing the Tennessee Titans. While the Titans come in at 8-4 and just a game behind the AFC leading Patriots, the offense is in a downward spiral. Ryan Tannehill has been a turnover machine over the last two weeks, and Derrick Henry isn’t coming back anytime soon. The Jaguars face the Titans at a time when they are vulnerable for an upset, and they played them fairly well earlier in the season. Oddly enough, I like the Jaguars here. The bizarre situation that was the James Robinson benching has become nationwide news, and in an attempt to show everyone that they love JRob, and to hopefully get back in JRob’s good graces, the Jaguars will unleash James Robinson on the Titans this Sunday in Nashville. The Jaguars' run game will be effective against the Titans' defense, and they will finally put together a competent offensive outing. This slump has to end sometime.

Jaguars 24, Titans 20

Follow Jordan on Twitter.

Follow Jeremy on Twitter.