Titans vs. Jaguars: Latest News and Predictions for 'Thursday Night Football'

The Jacksonville Jaguars will play host to their AFC South divisional rival, the Tennessee Titans, on Thursday night. The Jaguars come into this week after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 22-20, while the Titans hit the road after a hard-fought 27-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers at home.

The Jaguars (3-6) have a legitimate shot at the AFC South title this season due to the inconsistent play of the Indianapolis Colts, who are now without quarterback Andrew Luck. The Titans have struggled this season, leading to the firing of head coach Ken Whisenhunt and the hiring of interim head coach Mike Mularkey, who was the head coach of the Jaguars in 2012.

But this matchup could prove that both teams, despite their respective records, are on the upswing in a division that is open for the taking.

Location: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

Time: 8:25 p.m. ET 

TV: NFL Network (National/Local)

Improved Quarterback Play

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Both teams have seen vast improvements in the passing game this season, and that all starts with the man under center.

Titans signal-caller Marcus Mariota has looked every part of the franchise quarterback Tennessee dreamed of when it drafted him second overall. With 13 touchdowns to six interceptions and a 65.6 completion percentage, Mariota has exceeded expectations thus far, passing for 1,795 yards coming into Thursday's game.

Mariota seems to have shaken off the MCL sprain he suffered against Miami, which sidelined him for two weeks, and has looked far more comfortable in the pocket ever since. He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week two weeks ago after his performance against the Saints, which marked the second time this season that he has earned the award. 

He is just the second rookie quarterback to be named Player of the Week twice in a single season since 1984, according to the Titans' website. 

The improved play of Jaguars QB Blake Bortles has caught the eyes of the NFL, as he has scored 19 touchdowns to 11 interceptions with a 55.3 completion percentage for 2,381 passing yards. It doesn't hurt that Bortles has been able to stay healthy this season and finally has weapons on offense in wide receivers Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson.

Bortles had a tough rookie season last year but has shown vast improvement in lessening his turnovers this season after turning over the football a total of 21 times (17 interceptions, four fumbles) in his rookie year. 

Injuries to Note

According to Jaguars.com's John Oehser, defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks was placed on the injured reserve for the remainder of the season with a torn triceps. Marks, who had 8.5 sacks in 2014 and became a focal point of the defense, only played four games this season after returning from an ACL tear in 2014. Free safety James Sample was also placed on injured reserve, but the good news for the Jaguars is that linebacker Dan Skuta and wideout Allen Hurns practiced this week, both returning as participants on Tuesday, according to Oehser.

According to Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com, Tennessee has ruled out cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson (hamstring) and defensive lineman Al Woods (ankle) against the Jaguars.

Titans' Keys to Victory

While the Titans pass defense ranks third in the NFL, Tennessee ranks 21st against the run, allowing an average of 112.3 yards per game. For the Titans to be successful against the Jaguars, they can't allow Jacksonville's backfield to run rapid on their front seven.

According to the Jaguars' official website, running back T.J. Yeldon was inactive on Monday's and Tuesday's practices and was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. As a result, the Titans should be focused on stopping the run against Denard Robinson and Toby Gerhart. If they take the run game away, their pass rush, which ranks fifth in the NFL with 27 sacks, can find a way to get to Bortles in the backfield.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Titans will look to pass the ball around. More specifically, they will be looking to pass to tight end Delanie Walker. Walker leads the Titans in receptions (45) and yards (508) and has three touchdown catches on the season. He will be the No. 1 option on Thursday night for Mariota.

According to Pro Football Focus, Walker ranks second amongst tight ends in the NFL with a grade of 88.6, ahead of the likes of Tyler Eifert and Jordan Reed. 

If the Titans are able to stop the run and develop a pass rush against Bortles, that will allow the Titans more flexibility on offense to play to their strengths against a very mediocre Jaguars defense.

Jaguars' Keys to Victory

On defense, it's simple: The Jaguars must contain Delanie Walker.

The job of covering Walker will likely go to linebacker Telvin Smith or Paul Posluszny. Forcing Mariota to throw the ball to a receiving group that lacks consistency will allow the Jaguars to make plays, which they haven't done as much as they would have liked this season, as they rank 19th in the NFL in total defense, according to NFL.com.

Offensively, the Jaguars need to keep doing what they're doing. Passing the ball to Hurns and Robinson is a recipe for success, as the wideouts have become one of the most fearsome duos in the NFL this season, combining for 1,455 yards and 14 touchdowns through nine games.

Both receivers rank in the top 20 in the league in receiving yards but will face a tall task of going up against a Titans defense that is stout against the pass.

Predictions

The Jaguars have the hot hand coming into this week and should be able to put up points against a Titans team that has given up 61 points in the past two weeks.

The Titans won't be shut out, however, as Mariota will keep Tennessee within striking distance in what looks to be a shootout. Nevertheless, the Jaguars will look to close out the Titans in the second half, thanks to big days from Bortles, Robinson and Hurns.