Jags Know Nobody’s Pefect….Except the Titans?
November 14, 2008 by Mark Reichman
Filed under Jaguars, NFL Football
Lots of people are picking the Jaguars to upset the Titans this week and end their run at perfection, including my Titans-covering colleague here at STB, Victor Minicozzi. I just don’t see it. Looking at the onfield matchups on paper you have to give a decided edge to Tennessee. The most compelling arguments in favor of a Jaguar victory lie in the land of the intangibles…the Jaguars will have improved play due to facing the Titans for a second time this season, the Titans will have much less motivation to win, or simply the Titans are overdue for a poor showing against a divisional rival.
But will any of these emotional factors overhsadow the cold hard reality that the Jaguars O-line is banged up and they haven’t been able to stop the run consistently? Or that their defensive front has been pushed around and ineffective against opposing runners? LenDale White and Chris Johnson have been a devastating combo and could have a big day against the beleaguered Jags D, which will be without stalwart DT John Henderson, who is injured. Conversely, Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor have been routinely denied as opponents clog the middle and dare David Garrard to find one of his sub-par receiving corps downfield. Consider also the fact that if not for a single Steve Slaton 50-yard run the Titans would be able to say they haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher all season nor a single run over 25-yards.
Add to this some negative emotional factors dragging J-ville down. The saga surrounding linebacker Mike Peterson has been a distraction, as he was suspended, reinstated and then marked inactive for last week’s game due to insubordination. Peterson has also spoken out to the media about the confusion over his role with the team. Jack Del Rio is on the defensive and has been showing signs of wear-and-tear from this disappointing season.
Just to keep my message confusing to the gamblers I will predict a heartbreak loss for the +3 Jaguars. Titans 21, Jaguars 19.
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November 14th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I think the Jags are one of the few teams that can match the Titans in terms of physicality of play. The Titans are a bruising football team on both ends they hit hard on D and plan to run the ball right down your throat. The real deciding factor will be intensity and desire and for that I’m with you in picking the Titans.