Titans-Jaguars: 10 Bold Predictions for Monday Night Showdown

We're just hours away from the Jaguars vs. Titans matchup kicking off on Monday Night Football. These two teams are both looking to keep up with the Colts and Texans at the top of the AFC South, and a win in this one would go a long way towards ensuring that they do so. 

What can we expect in tonight's game? We've got 10 bold predictions for Titans vs. Jaguars. 

10. Tennessee Gets 5 Sacks

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NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 03: Jason Babin #93 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates after sacking quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos during the first half at LP Field on October 3, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Im

The Titans currently lead the NFL with 22 sacks in five games. The Jaguars have allowed 12 sacks on the season and have struggled against teams who are adept at rushing the passer, like Philadelphia, who sacked David Garrard seven times. 

With a line that susceptible to the pass rush, expect the Titans to get to David Garrard early and often in this one. Five sacks are extremely likely. 

9. Tennessee Jumps Out Early

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Running back Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates a one yard touchdown run against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Titans won 34-27. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/

The Titans will want to come out and establish control of the game, to try and take Maurice Jones-Drew out of the equation as quickly as possible. Expect them to do just that, jumping out to a 14-0 lead early on that should become 17-7 or so at halftime. 

The Titans have quick strike potential, and with the Jags' methodical offense, it seems likely that the Titans will climb out to an early lead. 

8. David Garrard Gets Benched

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SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is sacked by linebacker Larry English #52 of the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on September 19, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 38-13. (Photo b

David Garrard has been an up-and-down quarterback in 2010. Expect a massive downturn this week, between the Titans secondary and pass rush harrying him into making bad throws. The Titans rank sixth in the NFL with seven interceptions on the year, and their defensive backs love to prey on bad throws. 

Expect Garrard to take a seat at halftime, replaced by Trent Edwards. 

7. Mike Thomas Finally Finds the End Zone

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 10: Mike Thomas #80 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs toward Donte Whitner #20 of the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Jacksonville won 36-26. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty I

Thomas is, by far, the Jaguars leading receiver in 2010, racking up 258 yards on 21 catches. But, the second-year wideout has yet to find the end zone this year, his touchdowns stolen by tight end Marcedes Lewis. 

Expect that to change this week, as Thomas manages to find the end zone for the Jags' lone first half score. 

6. Mike Sims-Walker Doesn't Show Up

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SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 19: Mike Sims Walker #11 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts to his fumble against the San Diego Chargers during the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on September 19, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Sims-Walker is supposedly the ace of the Jags' receiver corps. But in 2010, he certainly hasn't performed like one, totalling no catches in two games and just two catches in a third. Take out his 10 catch, 105 yard performance against San Diego, and he's totalled just 85 yards and a touchdown.

With shutdown corner Cortland Finnegan out there marking Sims-Walker, don't expect much from the hyphen tonight. 

5. Maurice Jones-Drew Racks Up 150 Yards Rushing

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 10: Maurice Jones -Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs past Donte Whitner #20 of the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Someone has to get the yards, right? The Titans rush defense is solid, but not impenetrable, and Jones-Drew is a human bowling ball. 

He's averaged over 80 yards per game the last three weeks and has totalled 557 yards against the Titans in his career. Expect him to run roughshod tonight, particularly if David Garrard gets pulled. 

4. Chris Johnson Breaks 200 Rush Yards

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Running back Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Titans won 34-27. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Here's the thing about Jacksonville's defense: they can't stop anything. They rank near the middle of the pack against running backs, but they've played a couple of pass-heavy teams and have yet to face a back of Johnson's caliber. 

Look for the Titans to go to Johnson early and often, and look for CJ to reward their faith with a monster performance. 

3. Vince Young Throws For More Than 250 Yards

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Quarteback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Titans won 34-27. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Sure, VY's not the most accurate passer in the world. But he's got a cannon and excels throwing the deep ball. Guess where Jacksonville's crappy secondary is most vulnerable? 

If you guessed over the top, you are absolutely right. Look for Young to hit on several deep throws, and at the end of the day, don't be surprised to see his yardage total break 250, something he's only done three times in his career. 

2. Trent Edwards Leads a Comeback

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 19: Trent Edwards #5 of the Buffalo Bills calls a playagainst the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 19, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bills 34-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Look for Captain Checkdown to rally the troops in the second half, leading a comeback to cut Tennessee's lead down to just three points. 

I'm not saying he's going to be doing it through the air, just that he's going to be the quarterback on the field when the comeback gets going. He'll make sure all 12 Jags fans in attendance get their money's worth.

1. Titans Win in the End

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Wide receiver Kenny Britt #18 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Titans won 34-27. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

In the end, the Titans will prove too strong for the Jags shoddy defense, and the cats will be forced to submit. 

Final Score: Tennessee 31, Jacksonville 24.