Jaguars vs. Titans: Full Game Preview for Tennessee
You don't have to reach too far back on the calendar (Nov. 19) to remember the last time the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars met on the gridiron. The Titans controlled that game late, but a multitude of fourth-quarter mistakes cost them a precious win within the division.
A chance for some quick revenge will be up for grabs for a Titans team that has little to be pleased with so far this season.
It's difficult for one team to beat another team twice in such a short span of time. We'll get to see how effective interim head coach Mike Mularkey can be when making adjustments against a team that just beat him.
With a roster that is full of youth and inexperience, the Titans have to keep building in-game experience for players who need development for the future.
The Titans have little to play for in the remaining five games, with the key exception of their pride. They still have time to regain some respect and offer a reason for hope heading into next season. A win over the Jaguars would help with that cause and also end a troubling 11-game losing streak at home.
This might well be the last realistic chance for the Titans to get win No. 3 and avoid a second straight 2-14 season.
Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
When: Noon CDT (1 p.m. ET)
TV: Channel 5 WTVF (Local)
Week 12 Results and Recap
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Last week's loss at the hands of the Oakland Raiders had to be one of the hardest games for Tennessee fans to stomach. If it's not, then it's certainly near the top of the list.
The Titans once again showed they don't know how to close out teams. A controversial defensive-holding call on B.W. Webb just put salt on the wound. If not for that call, the Titans most likely would have won.
However, bad calls happen every week to every team. It's more difficult to handle when you're struggling like the Titans are. Even with that call, they still had the chance to win behind the leadership of Marcus Mariota. The team came up short as it was right on the doorstep of field-goal range.
Mariota quietly put up three touchdown passes but also had two interceptions. Perhaps the biggest concern was the lack of a dependable running game. Antonio Andrews and David Cobb both averaged less than three yards per carry on just 14 rushing attempts combined.
For a team that wants to run the ball, those putrid numbers aren't going to cut it. It's surprising that the Titans still had a chance to win that game.
Delanie Walker continued his hot 2015 season with six catches for 91 yards. He's the lone bright spot of the passing game, and he'll have to keep carrying the offense on his back.
It's now a two-horse race in the AFC South between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans, as both are playing their best football of the season to date. That will be a fun race to watch for the division title.
Division Standings
- Colts 6-5
- Texans 6-5
- Jaguars 4-7
- Titans 2-9
Injury Update
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It's no secret that the Titans rely on their pass rush to be successful on defense. They're limited in the secondary, so rushing quarterbacks into difficult throws is what the Titans have to do.
Derrick Morgan is a big part of that strategy, but he missed last week's game with a shoulder injury, as reported by John Glennon of the Tennessean.
The Titans are hopeful that Morgan is able to return this week, per Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com:
"Mularkey said he's hoping to get Morgan back. Said McCluster will do some running this week. Woods working his way back, too @Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) November 30, 2015 "
Morgan is the other half of a formidable two-headed monster alongside Brian Orakpo. He helps fuel this aggressive defense.
The offensive side of the ball is focused on getting Dexter McCluster back. He plays so many different roles for the Titans, from returning kicks to catching balls out of the backfield.
McCluster was originally expected to miss two to three weeks when he suffered the injury less than two weeks ago against the Jaguars, per Jimmy Morris of Music City Miracles.
Although it's possible that McCluster comes back this week, the more likely scenario is that he gets another week to recover. There's no point in rushing back key veterans in the midst of a season that is all but lost. It's more important to see what the team has in the younger players.
Anthony Fasano is an important offensive contributor who wasn't able to participate in Wednesday's open portion of practice, via Wyatt:
"Not taking part in open portion of practice today for @Titans: Dexter McCluster, Anthony Fasano and Sammie Hill
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 2, 2015 "
Fasano's absence would further limit this offense, which already poses virtually no threat to throw the ball vertically. He will hopefully return to practice to round out the week.
News and Notes
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Mike Mularkey Gets Explanation from NFL on Holding Penalty
The NFL will regularly release statements the following week when controversial calls occur. It usually does little to make up for the frustration that teams have when they're on the wrong end of a call, though.
A defensive holding penalty that was called on B.W. Webb on a fourth-down attempt by the Raiders has angered many Tennessee fans. Perhaps the most frustrating part about the call was that the play had zero impact on where the ball was thrown, which was to the other side of the field into the end zone. If not for the call, the Titans would have likely cruised to their third victory of the season.
Mularkey said the NFL admitted the play in question was poorly called, via Jason Wolf of the Tennessean:
"Mularkey: NFL said it was a "poorly officiated play." #Titans #Raiders
— Jason Wolf (@JasonWolf) November 30, 2015 "
Again, that does little to make up for the loss for the guy who is battling to have the interim tag removed from his name at season's end.
You also have to understand that good teams usually find ways to overcome bad calls, and the Titans didn't do that.
Special Teams Needs to Drastically Improve vs. Jags
Teams with little room for error have to win the fundamental battles on the field, like avoiding meltdowns on special teams. The Titans have been hard to watch on special teams in many of their losses. They've failed to give the offense favorable field position on kickoff returns and have had some big breakdowns in coverage.
You may remember how the Jaguars got back into the game in the first meeting after a punt return situated the Jacksonville offense inside the Titans 10-yard-line. It set up the go-ahead touchdown in a game that was low-scoring.
A special teams unit simply can't let that happen. It was demoralizing for a defense that was putting together a great day at the office.
Special teams is the key area the Titans have to be better at in the rematch with the Jaguars, according to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.
This game will once again be largely decided on who avoids the little mistakes on special teams and sets up the offense with good starting field position.
Marcus Mariota Could Be in for a Big Day
We know how intelligent Mariota is despite being a rookie, and now he'll get his first in-season rematch of his young career. What the Jaguars did on defense and how he can make adjustments have to be fresh in his mind.
Mariota's numbers weren't eye-opening in the first meeting, but he didn't turn the ball over. His completion percentage was just under 63 percent. He managed the game well, and now he should be able to build off that.
Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union expects Mariota to put up big numbers, according to Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com.
Mariota has to keep growing up fast over these last five games for the Titans to scratch their way to a couple of wins. He doesn't necessarily have to put up four touchdowns per game, but he has to be smart with the football and put the offense in manageable situations on third down.
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Key Matchups
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Titans Rushing Attack vs. Jags Defensive Front
Less than two weeks ago, rookie David Cobb made his NFL debut. He rushed for negative yardage in that game and didn't do much better in the Raiders game last week.
Cobb is in line to get a lot more touches on offense this week. The lack of establishing a running game early on has kept his touches at a diminished level, per John Glennon of the Tennessean:
"Mularkey said plan had been to get Cobb more carries. Team has to do better job establishing run. Only 7 carries for team in first half.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) November 30, 2015 "
So much more will open up for Mariota if the Titans can force the Jags defense to respect the run game. Defenses have had the luxury of knowing that Mariota will have to beat them with limited options at receiver. If the running game is gaining positive yardage on first and second downs, then Mariota will have much more success.
It's critical that both Antonio Andrews and Cobb get the opportunity to rush the ball and allow the offense to hold onto the ball longer. It will be a tall order against a Jags defense that stops the run well.
Perrish Cox vs. Allen Robinson
It's looking probable that the Jags will be without one of their two stud receivers. Allen Hurns is dealing with a wide range of injury concerns and is still in the concussion protocol, via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com:
"Gus Bradley, speaking on conference call, on @Jaguars WR Allen Hurns: "He is still in the concussion protocol." vs @Titans Sunday
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 2, 2015 "
That leaves Allen Robinson as the top target on the outside, and he likely will draw the primary coverage from Perrish Cox.
Cox has to become the leader of this secondary as one of the few veterans, along with Michael Griffin. He needs to lock down Robinson and force Blake Bortles to look elsewhere. The Titans made things difficult for Bortles in the first meeting, but Robinson burned them for 113 yards. They have to do a better job against him in this game, as he'll be the primary target if Hurns is inactive.
Titans Offensive Line vs. Jags Pass Rush
This should probably be a key matchup in each of the five remaining games for the Titans. Their chances of even scoring in double digits are low if they can't protect Mariota.
Mariota is at his best when he can diagnose a defense and then make his decision to run, throw or just move outside the pocket to buy time. When he isn't afforded that time, the Titans get stuck in neutral. They don't have the vertical threats to convert long third downs.
There has been slight improvement under Mularkey in the pass protection. The player who has shown the most improvement on the offensive line has been Taylor Lewan. According to Pro Football Focus, he hasn't allowed a sack since his bad outing against the Houston Texans back in Week 8, per Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com:
"Since his awful game against HOU, #Titans LT @TaylorLewan77 has posted 4 games w/ positive ratings from @PFF. No sacks, 1 hit total. #Titans
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) December 1, 2015 "
The O-line is making progress after being shifted around under Mularkey's leadership. He deserves some credit for that, but improvement needs to continue.
Matchup X-Factors
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Matchup X-Factor: Kendall Wright
Who knows what kind of offense the Titans might have mustered in the first meeting with the Jaguars if a fully healthy Kendall Wright had been available. His ability to gain yardage after the catch makes him so valuable to an offense that has trouble throwing the ball deep.
Wright needs to have a big game against a suspect Jacksonville secondary. A productive game from him will open up so many more avenues for the offense. He's failed to surpass 50 yards receiving since Week 3, back when the Titans were putting up a lot of points and offering excitement on offense.
You can't overlook how much pressure is on Wright to produce as part of an inexperienced receiving corps. When an unpolished Dorial Green-Beckham is the No. 2 option at receiver, it's going to put a lot of pressure on the team's primary receiver.
Wright needs the ball in space on intermediate routes so he can make plays with his athleticism. Simplify the offense for Mariota and take advantage of one of Wright's biggest abilities.
If Wright reaches 100 yards receiving on five-plus catches, the Titans will win this game. He can't keep being held in check.
Underrated X-Factor: Avery Williamson
There hasn't been a lot of attention paid to how great of a season Avery Williamson is having. He's arguably been the most consistent Titans player on both sides of the ball, and he's just in his second year.
Williamson is leading the team in tackles with 68 and is even starting to get more involved in rushing the passer, with 3.5 sacks on the season. He hasn't been too shabby in dropping back into coverage, either.
The Titans have remained competitive in games thanks to their play at linebacker, and Williamson has led that charge. He's a recent draft pick who is quickly panning out.
Prediction: Titans 24, Jaguars 14
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The Titans have been their own worst enemy in their last two losses to the Raiders and Jaguars. They now get the opportunity for some quick revenge against another team that is on the brink of fading into oblivion for the rest of 2015.
This is the last realistic opportunity for the Titans to get a win on their schedule. Barring any kind of upsets, they will finish no better than 3-13.
As for the Jaguars, they're coming off a tough loss of their own against a terrible San Diego Chargers team. They definitely took a big step back in that game and drastically hurt their chances of keeping pace in the AFC South.
It's fair to say that the Jaguars are slightly farther along than the Titans are in their rebuilding phase, which has seemed to have lasted a decade for both teams. However, the Titans have the benefit of playing with the chip on their shoulders. The feeling of losing to this team is still fresh, and the players know they let one slip away on that Thursday night in Jacksonville.
The Titans are also getting relatively healthy despite the time of the season and not having a bye week since Week 4. They're going to make the necessary adjustments to fix the mistakes they committed in the first meeting, which gave the game away in the fourth quarter. They'll be better on special teams and finally win the turnover battle.
Look for a huge game from Mariota, and it won't just come through the air. He's going to run the ball more and also find ways to get Kendall Wright the ball on short routes. He's too resilient of a player to not bounce back for a couple of big games to round out the season.
The defense is going to put together another commendable performance and create havoc for Blake Bortles. He may still get his yardage and lead a couple of touchdown drives, but the Tennessee offense will wake up from its slumber and finally show up enough to win comfortably.
Enjoy and savor this win, because it's probably the last win of 2015 for the Titans. At least they'll end that embarrassing home losing streak at 11.
Prediction: Titans 24, Jaguars 14
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