5 things to know after Jaguars beat Titans 29-27
The Jacksonville Jaguars sure would like to schedule the Tennessee Titans every week if they could. They just might be perfect.
The Jaguars lost 13 straight games before coming to Nashville, a skid including the final five games of last season since beating the Titans in Jacksonville. On Sunday, they forced four turnovers they turned into 17 points and had their highest scoring total this season in beating the Titans 29-27.
Now, Tampa Bay is the NFL's only winless team with the Buccaneers hosting Miami on Monday night.
And Jaguars first-year coach Gus Bradley has a game ball for his first NFL win.
''It's definitely exciting for us,'' Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne said. ''We treated this week one game at a time and kind of like a new season. We are really excited for Gus.''
The Titans (4-5) were mad, disappointed and upset over a frustratingly flat performance. With Indianapolis' loss to St. Louis, they missed a big opportunity to pull closer in the AFC South before hosting the Colts on Thursday night. The plus is they don't have to wait as long to play again.
''It's the easiest way to get over a loss like this, a heartbreaker, one that you felt like you should win,'' Titans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. ''The easiest way is to get out there and get a win.''
Here are five things to know about how the Jaguars got that first win and the Titans' sloppy loss:
BYES DO A WINLESS TEAM GOOD: The Jaguars had a break last week after losing the first eight games by an average of 22.3 points per game, a pace that hadn't happened for a season in the NFL since 1944. Bradley said they pared back the defense a bit, and a unit that had forced only eight turnovers combined recovered three fumbles with Dwayne Gratz getting the Jaguars' fourth interception. They needed every one with the Titans outgaining the Jaguars 362-214 on offense.
LOCKER HURT AGAIN: Jake Locker left a game injured for the second time this season, and now the Titans' quarterback is waiting for more tests Monday to see if he can return this season after hurting his right foot. He left on crutches wearing a walking boot. Titans coach Mike Munchak said he had no update on the severity of Locker's injury after the game, and Locker said only that he is hoping it's not a season-ending injury.
''You hope and pray that it's not and just hope for the best,'' Locker said.
Locker was hurt at the end of running the option on a play Locker kept the ball. Locker stayed in for a play that became a fumble when he couldn't hand off to Chris Johnson, a turnover that cost the Titans at least a field goal opportunity in the second quarter.
TOO MANY TURNOVERS: The Titans took care of the ball very well in their 3-1 start, becoming only the second team ever to go four games without a turnover. Now they have 13 turnovers in the past five games and have lost four of those. They also have allowed 51 points off those giveaways.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The Jaguars had thought about switching Jordan Todman off returns. Todman proved he could do more than just handle the ball as he had 99 yards on three kickoff returns with a long of 46. The Jaguars wound up punting, and Bryan Anger's punt was downed at the 1. Three plays later, Titans rookie right guard Chance Warmack was flagged for holding Jaguars tackle Sen'Derrick Marks for a safety.
LET'S RESCHEDULE: The Titans held a moment of silence in memory of late owner Bud Adams before kickoff, but a news conference to introduce his son-in-law Tommy Smith as the new president and chief executive officer wound up being scratched because an accident delayed the Adams' family's arrival at the stadium. Coach Mike Munchak said he spoke briefly with Smith after the game.
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