Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans: Keep Your Enemies Close - 5 Questions with Titan Sized

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:40 p.m. ET

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Oct 16, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) is congratulated by teammates after scoring in the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee won 28-26. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars gear up for a Thursday night showdown with the Tennessee Titans this week, so we talked to our friends over at Titan Sized.

The Jacksonville Jaguars could’ve made Thursday night’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans significantly more interesting if they could’ve put up a respectable showing last week, but at 2-4 the already established their irrelevance in the big picture of the NFL.

The Titans on the other hand are one game back from the division lead and have to feel somewhat good about their chances. They have been within reach in the 4th quarter of every game and should be able to handle a Jaguars squad in a complete tailspin.

We wanted to get some intel on our opponent so we reached out to Will Lomas over at Titan Sized. Here’s what he had to say:

1. The Titans have been lumped into the group with the worst teams in the league, but they are in the thick of the division race and have competed every week. How much better are they compared to last year?

My take:

I was skeptical about the selection of Conklin but he’s helped the Titans become the best rushing team in the league. Their pass blocking hasn’t helped Mariota progress much but the Titans can at least lean on their running game. I don’t know if the promise of an “exotic smashmouth” offense has been fully realized, but if it’s going to happen at all it will be on display against the Jaguars.

Oct 9, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) carries the ball during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Titans won 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

2. Marcus Mariota looked lost over the first few games, but has appeared to right the ship somewhat in recent weeks. What’s your assessment of his second season so far?

My take:

I think Mariota’s rushing ability will play a big part in this contest. The Oregon product gave the Jaguars fits last year with his legs, including a filthy 87-yard touchdown run that effectively broke the game open last year en route to a Titans win. The Jaguars still lack speed at the linebacker position since the coaches stubbornly refuse to play Myles Jack the appropriate amount of snaps, and the pass rush so far hasn’t inspired confidence that they can get to Mariota before he escapes the pocket.

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches a pass in front of Tennessee Titans defensive back Antwon Blake (47) in the first quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

3. What’s the weakest spot on the Titans’ roster and do you think the Jaguars can exploit it?

My take:

That’s a convenient weakness since the Jacksonville passing attack is comprehensively broken at the moment. Blake Bortles isn’t completing routine passes to open wide receivers, and his typically reliable targets (mainly Allen Robinson) are letting him down with backbreaking drops. Blake and McCain will probably get beat plenty by the Jacksonville receivers, but it won’t matter if Bortles can’t get them the ball.

There’s a chance – a very slight and almost negligible chance – that this matchup helps Bortles and his receivers get right. Bortles did have 5 touchdowns in his last game against Tennessee, 3 of which went in the direction of ARob. This is a different team with a different demeanor however, so I’d be shocked if that kind of production happens again. It will resemble last year’s Thursday night matchup more than the shootout in the second game from 2015.

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) attempts to rush past Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) in the second quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

4. Who’s one rookie or newcomer who the Jaguars should gameplan for this week?

My take:

Jaguars Twitter joked endlessly about the Titans selecting Conklin as early as they did, partially because the Jaguars third round pick (Yannick Ngakoue) undressed Conklin in college the year before. Both players have produced at a respectable level through the first seven weeks so this is going to be a fun matchup to watch. I think Conklin will have the upper hand, but you never know.

Dec 6, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) walks off the field after the game against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. The Titans won 42-39. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

5. What’s your prediction for the game?

My take:

Solid analysis from Will and I don’t disagree with any of it, except for the notion he has of the Jaguars having big plays in the passing game. That hasn’t happened in recent weeks and nothing Blake Bortles has done over the last few games indicates the offense can generate chunk plays on a reliable basis. Marcus Mariota will likely “get right” this game against a Jacksonville defense that’s completely disenchanted with their head coach, while the Tennessee defense will gain confidence against the broken, shell of an offense that eviscerated them last year.

Are the Jaguars going to show up and put up a decent fight tomorrow night? Check out my “Friday” Fact or Fiction column tomorrow to find out.

Check out my answers to Will’s questions over at Titan Sized.

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