The Titans of Tennessee Roll into Everbank
JT: After the sting of that San Fran loss the Jaguars need a big win, in a big way
I don’t think the Jags are going to get it, unfortunately. Don’t get me wrong, I know they are going to win, I just don’t think it’s going to be in a big way. I foresee a close win in Jacksonville’s future. But a dub is a dub, and one against the hated rival that resides in Nashville just tastes that much sweeter. This is going to be a very short column today as we tailgated with the new Blackstone griddle, and being the outdoor cooking master that I am, it leaves little time to throw together my usual musings for you fine folk. In reality, I have very little to say today anyway. I should, however share that for the entirety of this tailgate we have been stuck between warring musical selections. On our left we have the Little John/Usher crowd from 2004 (of which I highly approve. Yeeeaaahhh!) and to our right we have a couple blasting smooth jazz as if my man has started wooing his lovely, pre-game. He’s got some impressive foreplay plan, starting at 9:30 am. Maybe I should take notes. Now back to football.
It’s Tennessee. They have a rookie QB in Will Levis. Much like his girlfriend left him after he dropped to the second round of the draft, his ability to throw touchdown passes left him after he started his second game. Levis came out of the gates like War Admiral but has since faded to all of the Sea Biscuits (Steelers and Buccaneers) he has faced. Tennessee always seems to give the Jags a difficult time, however after the drubbing that San Fran delivered to the First Coast I just can’t see letting a rookie quarterback come into your home and chalk up his second ever win. Tennessee has a horrible offensive line (worse than the Jags O-Line) and with a not super mobile beginner under center, this might be the game where Josh Allen gets back on track and racks up a couple three sacks. Speaking of sacks, Travon Walker had his best game as a pro against San Francisco last week. He was a force. He was doubled, held, chipped and worried about by the 49ers O-line all game long. He made his presence known and made us think that maybe he was worthy of that number one overall pick. Maybe…But I will say this, if he follows up that game with another of equal impressiveness then that will go a long way here in JAX. I predict a sack for Travon today but wouldn’t it be nice if he were to have a repeat of his first game in Washington. That was a very impressive interception my man had against the Command- (puke), Redskins.
Not to look past this game against Tennessee, but I feel like if there is any game we can look past, as a media member (I like to call myself media. Dress for the job you want, right?) this would be the one. Their record is 3 & everyone else, they have a rookie who just isn’t that good (yet. I am forced to compare every rookie in this draft to CJ Stroud of the Houston Texans). I am not saying that the Jags are looking past the Titans to next week’s Houston game, because they certainly shouldn’t be after last weeks embarrassment and a current home record of 1-3. What I am saying though is that this game is a dub. I have chalked it up in the win column already and I am moving on to the back half of the schedule. I will repeat, for all of the crap I am going to get by having this stance…I can move past this game, the team most certainly can not. This is the kind of faith I have in Dougie P. He will have our boys ready today. But let’s take a look at what is happening with the teams remaining on the Jags schedule. Joe Burrow is done (messed up his wrist), Mark Andrews is done (messed up something I am too lazy to look up at this point), Deshaun Watson is done (poor guy probably pulled his glutes ‘cause he can’t get a proper massage anymore). What I’m saying is that for the rest of the season JAX faces: Rookie, Rookie, Back-up, Back-up, Lamar Jackson with no Mark Andrews, Baker Mayfield, Rookie, Rookie. Yes, one of these rookies is CJ Stroud, but folks, the rest of this season has been tailor-made for Jacksonville. If they aren’t in the playoffs I will be shocked.
As for this game against the Titans. They have an awful O-Line and the Jags have a phenomenal defense. That spells a low scoring game for Tennessee. On the flip side, the Titans have a decently strong defense and the Jags O-line, well, we all know about that now don’t we. So once again this game will come down to how well Jacksonville’s offensive line plays. If they play well and Trevor isn’t jumpy and can work through his progressions (meaning Ridley on some deep plays) then the Jags will dominate. If however the O-line has a repeat of last week’s performance then the Jags will only win by a little tiny bit. The game will come down to my main man McManus, in that case. Either way, it’s a win today for the home team. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.