Well, well, well – here we are, Week 2 of the NFL season, and please stop me if you had the Tennessee Titans hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars for sole possession of the AFC South lead. ‘Cause I damn sure didn’t.
The Titans were fortunate to grind out a tough win on the road in Denver after Stephen Gostkowski missed three field goals and an extra point. Those kicking woes reared their ugly head again to start the season. Meanwhile, Jags fans should be over the moon that they stunned the Colts, who were one of the sexy picks in the AFC to start the season. Both teams are UNDEFEATED. Big time football on Sunday, baby!
The Titans are currently favored by 7.5 at home, with an over/under set at 44. I think this game has shootout potential, so I’m leaning ‘over’ on that one, and I think the Jags have the weapons on offense and defense to keep this thing close. For the Jags, EDGE Josh Allen is listed as questionable at the time of this writing – if he can’t go, the Jags would be losing a huge factor guy on defense. For the Titans, A.J. Brown is OUT – not good, but I’d rather them play it safe with the guy in Week 2 than risk further injury. Taylor Lewan, Malcolm Butler, and Corey Davis are currently listed as questionable at the time of this writing. Rookie RB Darrynton Evans has also been ruled OUT.
So, what do I think the Titans have to do to get the win at home? That’s what we’re all here for, right?!
Titans Keys to Victory: vs. Jaguars, 9/20/20
Avoid third and long
I wrote about this at length yesterday. The game is going to be much more manageable if they can avoid blowing it when they get into third and long. Better yet, just do what you can to avoid it altogether.
If Allen can play, he’s going to pose a threat at disrupting the offense and causing loss of yards. If C.J. Henderson plays like he did in Week 1, he’s shown an ability to prevent big chunk plays on offense, at least on his side of the field. Not to mention they have a guy like Myles Jack who can rove sideline to sideline. Bottom line – the Jags have the speed and ability on defense to frustrate the Titans offense and stall drives if they don’t protect the ball and make positive plays early in drives.
The Titans absolutely have to clean this up or we’re in for another nail-biter like MNF. Win first and second down.
Key in on Laviska Shenault
Shenault was one of my favorite receivers coming out of the draft this year, and it certainly seems like he has do-it-all ability for the Jags. For the Titans, he’s a shifty and quick target that the Jags like to use in different ways (including the wildcat). He will require someone’s attention at all times, or else he will cause problems. And, if he starts causing problems, it might open things up for that Jags offense. I don’t worry as much about the guys who will go up against the Titans corners – but the way the Broncos lined up Jerry Jeudy and the way they used Melvin Gordon is the type of stuff that does worry me with this defense.
Gardner Minshew is much better than people seem willing to give him credit for. He’s going to complete passes – the Titans just have to make sure Shenault (and DJ Chark for that matter) doesn’t beat ’em. Keep the play in front of ’em.
When’s the last time we said that about a Jaguar?
Feed Jonnu Smith
Given his past performances against the Jags, it stands to reason that this should be a big Derrick Henry game, but I think it could also be a big Jonnu Smith game. The Jags defense provides an opportunity for mismatch city – if they can get Smith on any Jags linebacker other than Jack, he’s going to smoke them. If they can get him one on one with either of their safeties, he’s going to out-maneuver them. This could be a good opportunity for Smith to get 2-4 big plays. If he does, it may be the backbreaker for the Jags.
Prediction
Ultimately, I think the Titans are the deeper and more talented team. On defense, they should be able to frustrate that Jags offensive line and get Minshew and company out of rhythm. If they do that, they should be able to ride Henry and the play-action game to a comfortable win. But, with some of the pieces the Jags have on offense, I’m not taking them as lightly as others in the media may be.
Jags – 21
Titans – 28
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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