NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans face the Jaguars on Thursday night at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch:
**
Mariota magic?**
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota turned in the most memorable play of his NFL career in last year's game against the Jaguars in Nashville. He tucked the ball and ran 87 yards for a touchdown, electrifying the crowd each step of the way. Mariota faced the Jaguars twice last season, and racked up 630 combined yards (499 pass, 131 rushing) and five touchdowns in the two games. Remember his dive to the pylon last year in Jacksonville? What will he have in store this year in primetime?
DeMarco Murray
Murray has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in three of the last five games, and he has 633 rushing yards on the season. He's been the team's best player this season, a year after being traded away from the Eagles. Murray would never admit it, but this game has to mean a lot to him. On national television, he has a chance to remind those in Philadelphia – and the rest of the NFL -- they probably should've valued him a little bit more last season.
**
Secondary**
The Titans will be without starting cornerback Perrish Cox (concussion) and safety Rashad Johnson (neck) due to injuries, so others will need to step up and play well. Rookie safety Kevin Byard is one of those players. Byard earned more playing time in recent weeks with his performance, and you can't help but get the sense he's on the verge of making a big play. Cornerbacks Brice McCain and Valentino Blake will be in the mix more with Cox out of the lineup.
Brian Schwenke
The Titans didn't skip a beat when Josh Kline stepped in for Chance Warmack at right guard earlier this season, and the team hopes the same will hold true as Schwenke steps in for an injured Quinton Spain at left guard. Schwenke has plenty of experience, and his time working with the first group in the offseason and in last week's game vs. the Colts should help. But he'll need to jell quickly on an offensive line that's been solid this season.
**
Facing Jalen Ramsey**
Ramsey, selected fifth overall by the Jaguars in the NFL Draft, is a confident rookie with plenty of talent. A Smyrna native who played at Brentwood Academy, he'll be jacked up for tonight's game in Nashville. A starting cornerback, Ramsey has held his own against some of the NFL's top receivers this season. Some teams have stayed away from him. Will the Titans test him?
Special teams
OK, I'm sorry to have to bring this one up, but until the Titans quash the talk, it's going to be an area to watch each week. The Titans have had their share of blunders on special teams this season, and the miscues continued last week. The team needs to settle down here and be more consistent. I hate to remind everyone, but the Jaguars won last year's Color Rush game with a late punt return for a touchdown. The Titans have to quash the problems here once and for all.
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)
