Titans vs. Jaguars: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

The future takes center stage when the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars meet on the Week 16 edition of Thursday Night Football.

A showdown between divisional foes with matching 2-12 records does not scream must-see television. However, plenty of young talent is worth a look as two of the most significant rebuilds in the NFL take steps forward.

That, and the NFL draft order—not playoff implications—are what define Thursday's action.

Expect drama between AFC South rivals and a peek into what the future has to hold for both, as well as the league as a whole.

Questions Under Center

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To say things have not gone as planned for Ken Whisenhunt under center in Tennessee is an understatement.

Jake Locker started the season but was soon injured. After a splotch of Charlie Whitehurst inefficiency, Whisenhunt handed the offense to rookie Zach Mettenberger as a way to prep for the future. A mere 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns to seven interceptions with four fumbles later, Mettenberger hit the shelf with an injury.

Locker was back last week in an eventual loss to the downtrodden New York Jets, only to suffer a shoulder injury in the process. Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean captured the situation well:

Wyatt noted that Locker is not out for the season at this point. The safe presumption is that it will once again be the Whitehurst show on a short turnaround Thursday.

Whitehurst was the starter for the Week 6 meeting between these two in Tennessee. There, his 233 yards were enough to secure a 16-14 victory.

Jaguars rookie quarterback Blake Bortles was not much better with 336 yards and a touchdown and interception. The performance really sums up the season well for the rookie who continues to roast in the fire, as 2,676 yards and 10 touchdowns to 17 interceptions show.

Tennessee sacked Bortles six times in that win. Just last week the Baltimore Ravens took the UCF product down eight times. Part of the issue is a shaky offensive line, but much of the problem is simple inexperience from a young quarterback.

It may not be the quarterback battle most want to see to kick off Week 16, but Bortles is the future in Jacksonville. His ability to play well at home on prime time does more for the future than simply get the Jaguars a potential third win.

Youth and Favorites

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Get this—the Jaguars are favorites for the first time in 42 games. 

Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com confirms the breaking of the lengthy record:

It makes sense, too. The Jaguars lost by just two on the road to these same Titans. While Tennessee was busy losing to another team with 11 losses last week, Jacksonville was on the road against a playoff contender and carried a lead into the fourth quarter before a loss.

Much of the line also has to do with the wealth of young talent the Jaguars will have on display. That extends past Bortles, too. Allen Hurns is an explosive rookie to watch thanks to his 636 yards and six scores, as is fellow rookie wideout Marqise Lee, who has 349 yards and one score.

Even rookie running back Storm Johnson is someone to keep an eye on, as the UCF product is capable of major gains. He found room for a touchdown against Tennessee in the first meeting and followed it up with another the week after before Denard Robinson took the starting job.

The Titans have their fair share of young talent on display, though that hinges on the staff actually going that route. Rookie Bishop Sankey is a talented back with 507 yards and two scores to his name this year, although the staff gave him just three carries last week.

Regardless, the Jaguars are favorites for good reason, chief among them being a wealth of young talent that seems to be putting all of the pieces together.

When: Thursday, December 18, 8:25 p.m. ET

Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

Watch: NFL Network

Betting Info: (via Odds Shark)

• Over/Under: 41
• Spread: Jacksonville (-3)

Team Injury Reports

Injury info will be updated once released, via ESPN.com.

Prediction

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On a short week, the home team figures to have an advantage. So too does the one with a healthy quarterback. 

It is never easy to see the Jaguars as favorites or roll with that from a betting standpoint. Remember that the Jaguars have proven stingy against the pass as of late, though. The unit just held Baltimore's Joe Flacco to 221 yards and a score, which is bad news for the Tennessee quarterback.

Look for Bortles to hit on a few big plays to his explosive weapons and for the Jaguars to otherwise grind this one out against a defense that ranks dead last against the rush this season.

Prediction: Jaguars 24, Titans 17

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).