NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The NFL kicks off Week 16 on Thursday night on NFL Network when the Tennessee Titans (2-12) visit the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12) at EverBank Field in Jacksonville (NFLN, 7:25 PM CT).
Six of the past seven meetings between the Titans and Jaguars have been decided by seven points or fewer.
Tennessee aims to rebound following a 16-11 loss to the New York Jets.
"Our team is a resilient group, and we'll be ready to go," says Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt. "This is a chance to play on Thursday Night Football. I think anytime you're playing in a game like that, you get energized. That's actually a good thing, even though it's a short week. We'll work, and try to put our best effort out there."
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Tight end Delanie Walker had four receptions for 93 yards, bringing his season total to 793 receiving yards, surpassing Frank Wycheck (768 in 1998) for the most receiving yards in a season by a tight end in franchise history. Walker ranks second among AFC tight ends this season in receiving yards, and with seven yards this week, would have his first-career 800-yard season.
Tennessee wide receiver Nate Washington had a game-high 102 receiving yards on six catches (17.0 average yards per catch) against the Jets. Washington (16.6) ranks fifth in the AFC in average yards per catch this season.
Jacksonville enters play following a 20-12 loss at Baltimore.
"It wasn't enough last week, so we go back to work," says Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley. "We have a short week with Thursday Night Football against Tennessee and we are going to challenge this team once again. We've been fighting and now the guys need to answer the call."
Rookie quarterback Blake Bortles (Round 1, No. 3 overall) passed for 210 yards against Baltimore. His 2,676 passing yards rank second among rookies this season. With another 144 passing yards, Bortles would surpass Byron Leftwich (2,819 in 2003) for the most passing yards by a rookie in franchise history.
On defense, Jacksonville is tied for third in the AFC with 38 sacks. Former Titans defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks leads the Jaguars and ranks second among AFC defensive tackles with a career-high 7.5 sacks this season.
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The AFC defensive tackles with the most sacks this season:**
10.0 - Marcell Dareus, Buffalo
7.5 - Sen'Derrick Marks, Jacksonville
6.5 - Sheldon Richardson, New York Jets
5.0 - Jurrell Casey, Tennessee
5.0 - Dontari Poe, Kansas City
5.0 - Kyle Williams, Buffalo
GAME NOTES
QB CHARLIE WHITEHURST (967) needs 33 pass yards to reach 1,000 in season for 1st time…RB BISHOP SANKEY (Rd. 2, No. 54 overall) ranks 4th among AFC rookies in rush yards (507). RB SHONN GREENE led team with 50 rush yards last week & needs 12 to reach 4,000 career (3,988)…Last week, WR NATE WASHINGTON led team with season-high 102 rec. yards. TE DELANIE WALKER ranks 2nd among AFC TEs in rec. yards (793), surpassing FRANK WYCHECK (768 in 1998) for most in season by Titans TE. Had 93 receiving yards on 4 catches (23.3 avg.) vs. Jets last week…S MICHAEL GRIFFIN leads team with 99 tackles. S GEORGE WILSONposted 1st sack of season last week...JAGUARS:Last week, QB BLAKE BORTLES (No. 3 overall) passed for 210 yards. Has 2,676 pass yards & needs 144 to surpass BYRON LEFTWICH (2,819) for club rookie record. Ranks 2nd among AFC QBs with 308 rush yards…In past 7, RB DENARD ROBINSON is averaging 82.1 scrim. yards per game (575 total) & has 4 rush TDs. RB TOBY GERHART led team with 54 rush yards last week…WR CECIL SHORTS III led team with 76 rec. yards vs. Bal. Has 100 rec. yards in 2 of past 3 vs. Ten. WR ALLEN HURNS (undrafted) ranks 2nd among AFC rookies in TD rec. (6) & 3rd in rec. yards (636). TE MARCEDES LEWIS (3,783) needs 22 scrimmage yards to surpass JAMES STEWART (3,804) for 5th-most in club history…DT SEN' DERRICK MARKS has 5.5 sacks in past 7. S JONATHAN CYPRIEN leads team with 96 tackles.
