When it rains, it pours. The Tennessee Titans faced the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday in Week 3 of the 2019 NFL season. Here are highlights from the game.
Both teams entered the contest after suffering losses on Sunday. The last time these division rivals met, Derrick Henry ran all over the Jacksonville defense. The big story out of Jacksonville was All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey requesting a trade.
Prior to game time, the rain was falling steadily and remained consistent at times throughout the game. This had the makings of a classic low scoring defensive battle.
The Jaguars got the ball first but the Titans’ defense forced a punt. Tennessee’s punt returner Adoree Jackson muffed the punt, and Jacksonville recovered the ball, setting up first and goal on the seven-yard line.
The Titans got the ball back. Their drive stalled, in large part because of a holding penalty, a questionable one at that. Jaguars rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew drove his team downfield. The drive culminated with a 22-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Chark, putting the Jaguars up 14-0 with six minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The rest of the first and second quarter was filled with three-and-outs. Mixed in were a few questionable calls and an obvious non-call. Titans linebacker Kamalei Correa was called for roughing the passer. Replay showed he let up, prompting commentator and Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman to voice his disgust with the call. That, along with a handful of questionable holding calls, even prompted tweets from Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who was critical of the calls.
Too many penalties. Just let us play!!!! #TENvsJAC
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) September 20, 2019
I’m turning off this game I can’t watch these ridiculous penalties anymore #TENvsJAC
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) September 20, 2019
Later, there was no call on an obviously holding by Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye on Titans receiver A.J. Brown that would’ve given the Titans a first down.
Titans running back Derrick Henry couldn’t get going. Meanwhile, the offensive line couldn’t protect Marcus Mariota, giving up nine sacks to Jacksonville’s defense, including three at the hands of Calais Campbell.
What was this? #Titans pic.twitter.com/RQipjOHHgq
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) September 20, 2019
The defense once again looks like one of the NFL’s best.
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 20, 2019
Any time the Titans got momentum, they seemed to give up a sack.
Coming out of halftime, Mariota led his team down the field. He completed a 47-yard strike to Tajae Sharpe to get the Titans into the red zone. After being unsuccessful on their first three downs, head coach Mike Vrabel decided to go for it on fourth down. Mariota was sacked, ending a chance to put points on the board.
Minshew looked good all night, making smart throws and not making any costly errors.
Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette was held in check all night for negative yards until he broke off a 69-yard run late in the fourth quarter, essentially icing the game.
The Titans scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late.
The Jaguars got their first win of the season and their record stands at 1-2 as they travel to Denver for a Week 4 matchup next week.
The loss put the Titans at 1-2. They travel to Atlanta for a game against the Falcons, which will be their final contest without tackle Taylor Lewan. If nothing else, Thursday night proved that they need him back badly.
“I didn’t help our team at all in the first half, didn’t give our guys a chance to make plays."
QB Marcus Mariota On Loss to Jaguars 📰 » https://t.co/zU8BmGqILh
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 20, 2019
One Response
Excellent article. Accurate description of the game. Like the use of clips