Moeller: Jaguars Face Titans on th Road in AFC South Showdown
This last one was a head scratcher. There have been a couple of those this season, especially with the Jaguars’ defense.
Here was a Jaguars’ defense in Detroit last weekend that didn’t look anything like they did at home against Baltimore the previous week.
Against the Ravens, the Jags’ defense was able to keep Lamar Jackson in check enough for them to pull out a last-second statement victory.
Once again, the pendulum swung upward toward the anticipation most Jaguars’ fans and even brass believed where it should be. A win in Detroit against a seemingly evenly matched team could ignite a possibly late-season surge.
However, once again, those hopes were dashed. Another opportunity that was wasted.
The Jags will be in Tennessee Sunday against a team that is struggling to find its consistency presumably at the right time to capture the AFC South title. Tennessee is 7-5 and coming off a 35-10 thumping from the Eagles last week and a tight 20-16 loss to the Bengals the previous week. Yet, the Titans are in a comfortable spot with a three-game edge over the 4-8 Jaguars and Colts.
So, here we go again with another opportunity for Jacksonville in the making.
Yes, the Titans have Derrick Henry, probably the game’s most prolific runner with his 1,078 yards with 10 touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has lived up to his reputation as an average quarterback with his 11 touchdowns and four interceptions.
The Titans’ offense is ranked 29th overall, 15th rushing and 30th passing. These aren’t dominating numbers.
In turn, the Jags’ offense is 12th overall, ninth rushing and 15th passing. Trevor Lawrence has thrown for 2,834 yards with 17 touchdowns and six interceptions. Travis Etienne has 728 yards with four touchdowns and will get better.
The line here is 3 ½, but will it be a tight game like it was expected in Detroit last week?
This will depend on the Jags’ defense, primarily their pass defense that is rated 29th.
It truly has been their Achilles’ heel in recent weeks, noted by the 684 yards through the air the past two weeks.
New defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell was seen as a savior in the opening weeks of the season, but his stock has begun to drop. The Jags lost safety Andre Cisco and rookie linebacker Devin Lloyd was demoted. Questions have surrounded top pick Travon Walker on whether he has begun to reach his potential.
Despite the struggles, Caldwell sees the big picture.
“In Detroit, it’s one of those performances where it felt like it wasn’t us,” said Caldwell. “I think the talent is here. We’re happy with the players here. We just have to get them to understandWe that when you do it the right way, you just have to do it the right way over and over again.
“You’ll see time when we’re right on point, and then other times we’re not. We’ve got to get those guys playing the way they need to play over and over and over.”
In Tennessee Sunday, it would be the best place to start again.
(Columnist Jeff Moeller covers the NFL and other sports for SportsDay)
