Moeller: Jaguars' Dominating 41-7 Win Over Titans Reassures Any Self-Doubts
(Photo Courtesy Tennessee Titans)
By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE - It didn’t start off well, but it sure did end well.
Still, never count out this confident self-assured version of the Jaguars.
I had some self-doubts, and I shouldn't have.
This was a game of new records, and the continuation of a banner season on several fronts.
Still, this was the game against 3-13 Tennessee that could have had a flat written all over it. An overcast, child afternoon provided the perfect initial backdrop.
Trevor Lawrence was sacked on the game’s first play, and the Titans’ defense appeared ignited. That followed with a holding penalty on tackle Cole Van Lanen, and then Lawrence overshot Parker Washington on a pass.
Tennessee followed with a five-play, 58-yard drive seemingly streaking down the field and capping it when quarterback Cam Ward scored, diving for pylon for a seven-yard score and 7-0 lead. Ward was looking like a top overall pick lately, and it could be the start of a big day ahead.
You could feel the uneasiness among the announced 66,000-plus at Everbank Stadium, but it would be short-lived.
Ward left the game with a shoulder injury, and the Titans might as well have gone back to Tennessee then.
Jacksonville responded with 41 unanswered points in the fashion that has been the trademark of their eight-game winning streak - and nine of 10 - heading into a Wild Card home playoff game against Buffalo Sunday.
Lawrence would go on to set a new season mark with his 38th combined touchdown (29 passing, nine rushing) and also eclipse the 4,000-yard passing mark for the second time in his career. Lawrence three for 4,113 in 2022, the last time the Jags made the playoffs.
He spread the ball around to seven different receivers, and he continues to utilize tight end Brenton Strange, who caught a team-high six passes for 52 yards and one of his three touchdown passes.
After that, like they have, the Jags’ defense took over. They limited former Jaguars’ 2016 sixth-round pick and journeyman quarterback Brandon Allen and the Titans’ offense to 136 total yards the rest of the afternoon.
Safety Antonio Johnson had a 58-yard pick six return before half time, his fifth of the season and the Jags 22nd of the season, breaking the previous season mark of 21 set in 2017.
Kicker Cam Little boomed a 67-yarder in the closing seconds of a 31-7 first half, setting a new season mark of 140 points this season. Little’s 67-yarder and his previous 68-yarder are new NFL marks for the 88-percent effective kicker.
Quarterback, defense, and kicker. Three keys you need in the postseason, and the Jaguars arguably have the hottest combination of any team headed into the playoffs.
Don’t forget head coach Liam Coen and GM James Gladstone who have quietly and quickly completely flipped a 4-13 team. Coen should be seriously considered for Coach of the Year, but New England’s Mike Vrabel and Chicago’s Ben Johnson will be in his way. Gladstone also has pushed all the right buttons.
Overall, it has been a perfect package, and they have the momentum any team would want in the upcoming 14-team tournament.
Over the last eight weeks, it’s a bit uncanny how fate has flipped in their favor. During the last 10 weeks. Their lone stumble was allowing a 19-point lead slip away from them in Houston after they battled through an overtime victory in Las Vegas.
Josh Allen and the Bills, suddenly winners of five of their last six, will be staring them down at EverBank Stadium Sunday.
Yes, football is not an exact science, but it’s time to put all the doubts aside.
