| Date: | October 4th, 2009 |
Location: | Jacksonville, FL |
| Time: | 1:00 pm EST |
Stadium: | "The Jack" |
| TV: | CBS |
Favorite: | Tennessee -3 |
| Radio: | Click Here | Over/Under: | 41.5 |
| Weather: |
Low 80s, 20% chance of rain |
Injury Report: |
Injury Report |
| SBN Coverage: | Music City Miracles | Coverage Map |
Click Here |
Sorry for the lateness of this week's preview, now on with the show.
The Tennessee Titans travel to Jacksonville to play the Jags in a desperate attempt to save their season while the Jaguars look to pull to 2-2 before going heading into a 4 game stretch against teams that are a combined 1-11. The fixture of the day will be the battle between two of the best running backs in the NFL, Maurice Jones-Drew and Chris Johnson.
Johnson had his breakout game as a rookie against the Jaguars and will look to have a similar performance on Sunday. Jones-Drew has traditionally struggled against Tennessee, however, he is coming off his best game as a full time starter and will hopefully carry that momentum into this week.
Things to Watch For: Jacksonville Jaguars
1. David Garrard: Garrard had his first truly solid performance of the year last week only to have pointless drama occur on Friday involving head coach Jack Del Rio. Garrard handled himself well, so this will hopefully only be a bump in the road as the team heads into Sunday.
2. Pass Defense: The Jaguars finally catch a break and don't play an elite passing team this week. Now we can really tell how far along the pass defense is. If Kerry Collins get's back on the Pro Bowl watch after this week expect to see heads to roll, and not just players.
3. Eugene Monroe: Monroe faces test #3 this week against Kyle Van Den Bosch. While Monroe was schooled against Dwight Freeney, Monroe handled Texans All-Pro Defensive End Mario Williams. Another solid showing on Sunday will help ease concerns about his progress to this point.
4. Mike Sims-Walker: Sims-Walker is beginning to finally show why there was so much hype for a player who has done so little. Dare I say he is beginning to look like Jimmy Smith did early in the 96 season? Not yet, but maybe he is due for a true break out game this week.
5.The Crowd: With another sub-50,000 crowd expected, let's hope that they will be a lively bunch none the less.
Thing to Watch For: Tennessee Titans
1. Beating themselves: One reason why the Titans are 3-7 since starting 10-0 is that they find ways to beat themselves. Last week's return issues were just the latest reason why. Whether it is Kerry Collins throwing an untimely pick or a personal foul call keeping a drive alive, the Titans have to cut down on those issues.
2.Keep it on the Ground: Will the Titans try to test the Jaguars lowly pass defense or will they stick to what they do best and give it to Chris Johnson on the ground? If they want to not start 0-4 they'll give it to Chris Johnson.
3. Pass Defense: The Titans own pass defense has been suspect and Cortland Finnegan will be out of the game on Sunday. If the Titans fail to keep the passing game in check, then they open themselves up to Maurice Jones-Drew through the middle.
4.LenDale White: White has been a non-factor so far this season for the Titans and that isn't a good thing considering Chris Johnson may not be able to take a full time load. White needs to get himself in the game this Sunday.
Player On The Hot Seat
Kerry Collins, QB, Tennessee
Collins is in a do or die situation right now. It was his play in early 2008 that led to the Titans benching Vince Young and handing him the keys to the team. Now Collins is reverting back to his latter days in Carolina and is dragging the team down with him. If he can't get things done against the worst ranked pass defense in the league, expect a lot of water cooler talk.
Prediction
Jacksonville Jaguars 27
Tennessee Titans 17
-Jonathan Loesche