The Jacksonville Jaguars need a break as they are still in search of their first win five weeks into the season. They may just get it against another struggling team in the Tennessee Titans, who were on track for a morale boosting victory on Sunday, but botched their attempt as they lost for the fourth-straight time. Can the Jaguars’ talented, but inexperienced squad eke out their first win of the season? Or will the Titans take their first victory at home?
Later on, the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles slug it out for Sunday Night Football. Check out our preview for that game here. Meanwhile, you can also review the whole slate of football games for the week in our complete picks and predictions for NFL Week 6.
[sc:Football ]Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans Preview
Where: LP Field, Tennessee
When: Sunday, October 12, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s been an agonizing five weeks for the Jacksonville Jaguars as they lost their fifth-straight game this season on Sunday. They were defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-9 as they failed to record a single touchdown in the game.
[sc:NFL240banner ]The Jaguars finished with a total of 243 yards and were three for 12 on third-down conversions. Starting rookie quarterback Blake Bortles completed 22 of 36 passes for 191 yards, but was hampered by several drops by his receivers. Rookie wide receiver Allen Hurns dropped passes on three of Jacksonville’s first four possessions and committed a holding penalty. Meanwhile, WR Allen Robinson didn’t fare much better as he caught five of 11 passes for 51 yards.
Bortles also threw two interceptions against the Steelers. He has now thrown two interceptions in each of his first three NFL appearances.
Despite their struggles in passing against the Steelers, the Jags shied away from the running game. They only picked up 56 yards on 15 carries. Offseason acquisition, and No. 1 running back Toby Gerhart had nine yards on four carries. Meanwhile, seventh round draft pick Storm Johnson had 27 yards on four attempts. Nevertheless, the Jags may utilize their running game more against the Titans’ rushing defense, which allows 136.6 yards per game (28th in the NFL).
Surprisingly, the Jaguars fared better on the other side of the ball. They held the Steelers to 372 total yards and 17 points after allowing an average of 451 total yards and 38 points in the first four weeks.
Second year cornerback Demetrius McCray made his second career-start against the Steelers. While covering the Steelers’ Antonio Brown (third in the NFL with 34 receptions and 511 yards), he limited the wide receiver to four catches for 54 yards on 11 targets. He also broke up a scoring pass intended for Brown late in the first half. Brown would later catch a 30-yard pass while covered by cornerback Will Blackmon.
The Jaguars defense was also able to force their first turnover since September 7. Second-year defensive tackle Abry Jones strip-sacked Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the fourth quarter of their game, and defensive end Andre Branch recovered the ball for the Jaguars. The Jaguars had previously failed to force a turnover for 17 consecutive quarters after forcing three against Philadelphia.
The Jags have excelled in the pass rush this season. The Jaguars were able to sack Roethlisberger four times on Sunday, bringing their total to 16 (third-most in the NFL) for the season. With their pass rush, the Jaguars should be able to get past Tennessee’s offensive line, which has allowed the fourth-most sacks (14) this year.
The total has gone over in four of the Jaguars’ five games this season.
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Betting on the Tennesee Titans
Leading 28-10 by the end of the first half, the Tennessee Titans were on the way to a blowout victory against the Browns on Sunday. However, they failed to protect their lead as they eventually fell 29-28 for their fourth-straight loss this season.
Jake Locker went 8-for-11 for 79 yards and a touchdown. He also scored on an 11-yard TD run, but a second quarter sack forced him out of the game with an injured thumb. Locker is questionable to start in this game and is slated to undergo an MRI on his thumb on Wednesday.
Replacing Locker, backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst threw two second quarter touchdown passes of 11 yards and 75 yards to wide receivers Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter respectively but could not protect the enormous lead as the Browns rallied in the second half. Whitehurst has now lost back-to-back games covering for the injured Locker.
Meanwhile, the Titans weren’t too effective on the ground. No. 1 running back Shonn Greene had 36 yards on 11 carries. He has now posted a 3.3 yards per carry average in three-straight games, while failing to rush for more than 40 yards in four straight contests. However, he has a decent matchup against Jacksonville’s defense which allows 126.6 rushing yards per game.
On the other side of the ball, the Titans have a secondary capable of causing timely turnovers. Free safety Michael Griffin and cornerback Jason McCourty have two interceptions apiece. With the Jags’ rookie quarterback Blake Bortles throwing two interceptions per game, expect the secondary to tighten up their coverage on Jacksonville’s receivers.
The Titans 1-5-1 ATS against AFC South since 2013.
Writer’s Prediction
The Tennessee Titans end their four-game losing streak.
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