What to Watch for: Titans @ Jaguars

The Jaguars will be dawning their all new Bold Gold Jerseys as they take on their Division Rival, the Tennessee Titans. Here's what to watch for!

By Jordan de Lugo

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The Jaguars return home after nearly a month on the road to play what is only their fourth true home game of the season. They face a Titans’ team that is 2-7 and just went through a change at head coach. Former Jags’ head coach, Mike Mularkey, is now the leader of the Jaguars’ long time rival, the Tennessee Titans. He has a young quarterback and a lack of talent across the board, but he will want this one desperately. Keep an eye on him throughout the game, to see if he keeps his cool or if he lets his emotions get the best of him.

​Can the Jaguars fluster the Titans young quarterback? The Jags’ struggles against the pass have been well documented. With a poor pass rush and a lack of playmaking in the secondary the Jags will need to find ways to manufacture pressure in their chase for the AFC South Crown. Luckily for the Jags, the Titans’ offensive line has allowed 29 sacks on the season, the fourth most in the NFL. The Titans’ struggles on the offensive line may be just what the doctor ordered for this Jags’ defense. Losing Sen’Derrick Marks is a crushing blow moving forward for the Jaguars, but they have decent depth in the interior of their defensive line and must employ a next man up attitude. If the Jags can create pressure on rookie quarterback, Marcus Mariota, then the Titans will have little chance of escaping Duval with a victory.

Will the Jaguars get their rushing attack cranked up? Running back T.J. Yeldon has rushed for at least 60 yards in the Jags last three games — if he can top the century mark in this one it would go a long way towards the Jaguars sending the Titans home with a loss. For whatever reason, the Jaguars’ offensive line and T.J. Yeldon have struggled to find consistency in the running game. Whether it be injury or a lack of chemistry, the ground attack hasn't been what the Jaguars had hoped coming into the season, but they have an opportunity to get back on track against a Titans’ defense that has allowed at least 70 total yards to the last 5 running backs they have faced. The Jaguars’ passing attack is nearly always on point, but if they can find balance on offense then they will be truly tough to beat. 

​Sit back and enjoy as Blake Bortles and the Brothers Allen are primed to put on another exciting show. Blake Bortles is averaging over 2 TD passes per game and throwing for over 260 yards an outing. Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson have electrified the league this year as they are the top duo in the NFL. Hurns has scored in seven straight contests, while Robinson has scored seven total touchdowns. Both Allen's are in the top 10 in receiving touchdowns, and Bortles is in the top 10 in several statistical categories. If Yeldon is ineffective, then they Jags may need to focus on their aerial attack. If you like seeing the Jaguars air it out — of course you do! — then this will be a fun game to watch!

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The Titans are banged up — they will likely be with out their third receiver, Justin Hunter, and their top cover corner, Jason McCourty. They will also be with out their top receiver in Kendall Wright, who did not participate in practice on Tuesday. On the flip side, the Jaguars are fully expecting Allen Hurns, Dan Skuta and T.J. Yeldon to play on Thursday. 
With the Jaguars right in the thick of things in the AFC South race, they will need to win this one to keep hope alive for a division title. The atmosphere should be electric at The Bank on Thursday Night! Go Jags!

Bold Prediction: The Jaguars force at least 2 turnovers and stuff the run on defense, while the offense soars through the air with the passing attack and gives the Titans a steady dose of T.J. Yeldon.
Jaguars 31 Titans 17

Perhaps the most interesting thing to watch for is those new gold uniforms! What do you think?