NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville.
Here's a look at six things to watch in Sunday's game.
Score 20
It's easier said than done, of course, against a Jaguars defense that's one of the best in the NFL. But in the last 10 meetings in Jacksonville, the Titans are 4-0 when they've scored at least 20 points. When the Titans have scored less than 20, they're 0-6. The Titans fared well a year ago in Jacksonville in a September game, rolling up a bunch of second-half points in a 37-16 win. The challenge will be a big one on Sunday.
Derrick Henry
Titans running back Derrick Henry hasn't been pleased with his start to the season, and playing against the Jaguars has given him some extra juice in the past. Henry ran for 92 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown run, last year at Jacksonville, and his 66-yard touchdown catch was big in the December game. Henry has 90-plus scrimmage yards and a TD in 3 of 4 career meetings vs. the Jaguars. It's a homecoming of sorts for Henry, who played at nearby Yulee High and was recognized by the crowd at TIAA Bank Field for winning an award as a prep star. The Titans will need to get the run game going, and it will take a one-two punch with Henry and Dion Lewis to do it.
Titans receivers vs. Jaguars secondary
The Titans receivers all some to bring something different to the table. Corey Davis is big and physical, and he showed it vs. Houston. Did you see him throwing the Texan off him? Taywan Taylor is a speedy playmaker, and Rishard Matthews and Tajae Sharpe have proven to be dependable targets capable of making tough catches. At some point, I expect to see Matthews more involved than he's been so far. Jacksonville cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye make up a talented tandem. The Titans receiving corps will need to rise up and make plays.
Pressure Bortles
The Titans did a nice job creating pressure on Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, and now the mission is to make Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles uncomfortable. Bortles struggled against the Titans last year, but he lit up the Patriots last week and he's shown improvement in his last 12 or so games. Defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, who is coming off a two-sack game, and the rest of the blue crew will aim to be disruptive, and look for some pressure from blitzing others as well.
Protect the QB
Starting left tackle Taylor Lewan will be back for the Titans, and that's a good sign no matter who ends up playing quarterback -- Marcus Mariota or Blaine Gabbert -- on Sunday. During the first two weeks of the season, the Titans have allowed just one sack. Along with the Jaguars, that's best in the NFL. The Titans face a big challenge in a Jacksonville defense that's known for getting after QBs. The Jaguars have just four sacks in two games this season, and the Titans don't want them to get cranked up on Sunday.
Special teams
The Titans have made big plays on special teams in the first two games this season – Darius Jennings took a kickoff return to the house in the opener at Miami, and Kevin Byard connected with Dane Cruikshank for a touchdown pass on a fake punt vs. Houston. The Titans and Jaguars are preparing for an old-fashioned fist fight on Sunday on both sides of the ball. A big play on special teams would provide a big boost.
TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) celebrates after making a first down against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) celebrates with teammates after Byard intercepted a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars to stop their final drive in the last seconds of the fourth quarter in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 15-10. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The Philadelphia Eagles line up against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The Philadelphia Eagles lines up against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) celebrates after making a catch for a first down in the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 15-10. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
The Tennessee Titans line up against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Jayon Brown (55) celebrates after recovering a fumble by Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Keelan Cole in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, file photo, Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) celebrates with Wesley Woodyard (59) and Ben Jones (60) after intercepting a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars to stop their final drive in the last seconds of the fourth quarter in an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. Bayard heads into his first playoff game Saturday in Kansas City leading the NFL in takeaways with 10 and tied for the league-lead with eight interceptions. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
Marcus Mariota, quarterback de los Titans de Tennessee, trata de escaparse de Myles Jack, de los Jaguars de Jacksonville, durante el partido del domingo 31 de diciembre de 2017 (AP Foto/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) pressures Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars to stop their final drive in the last seconds of the fourth quarter in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 15-10. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) scores a touchdown on a 66-yard pass play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) celebrates with offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) and center Ben Jones (60) after Henry scored a touchdown on a 66-yard pass play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) scores a touchdown on a 66-yard pass play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles against the Jacksonville Jaguars defense during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler (56) tackles Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) rushes for yardage as offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, right, blocks Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Titans won 9-6. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Tennessee Titans prepare to snap the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) looks for a receiver as he is pressured by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler (56) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans tight end Luke Stocker (88) breaks away from Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith (50) after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Titans won 9-6. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) sheds Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Malik Jackson (97) on a first quarter run in an NFL game Sunday, September 23, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fl. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dede Westbrook (12) is stopped by Tennessee Titans defensive backs Kenny Vaccaro, left, and Logan Ryan after a reception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Josh Wells (72) sets up to block against Tennessee Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) runs in front of Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, rear, and defensive back A.J. Bouye (21) after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Titans won 9-6. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans, left, line up for a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) greets fans after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
The NFL broadcasters work as Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) and Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan (77) are interviewed after an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Fox broadcaster Erin Andrews speaks with Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
FILE - In this Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, file photo, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown past Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) during the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. Unthinkable at the start of December, Henry has piled up a franchise-record 408 yards over his past two games to put the Titans running back 118 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard rushing season. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Leon Jacobs (48) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Henry scored a touchdown on the 99-yard run. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry speaks to fans at the NFL broadcast booth after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
El running back de los Titans de Tennessee, Derrick Henry (22), corre y desplaza con un brazo al safety de los Jaguars de Jacksonville, Tashaun Gipson (39), durante la segunda mitad de un juego de la NFL, el jueves 6 de diciembre de 2018, en Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Leon Jacobs (48) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Henry scored a touchdown on the 99-yard run. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown against Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
