Tennessee Titans defense will face another unique challenge

The Tennessee Titans defense opened up last week’s game against the Browns the worst possible way, and they’ll face a unique challenge again this week.

Last week, I wrote an article about the Tennessee Titans’ defense ahead of the Browns game. I said that the Titans’ defense is on trial in that game. It turns out, the defense was on trial throughout that game, and the Titans defense was convicted guilty of fraud very early in the game.

The Browns opened up the game, scoring early and often. Baker Mayfield looked like what Patrick Mahomes hopes to be over the next few years. Baker’s Browns scored 38 points in the first half and left the Titans’ defense hopeless going into halftime.

Fortunately, the defense was able to recover, and thanks to Ryan Tannehill and the offense, the Titans showed they have what it takes on both sides of the football to make an insane comeback. Unfortunately, that comeback fell one score short as the Titans lost 41-35.

The Titans’ failure to stop the Browns in the first half cost them the game. Sure, the offense had a drive or two where they could’ve scored but were unable to continue the drive after failing to convert on third down.

Looking at the Titans’ matchup this week, you would think it should be an easy win. The Titans are 8-4 and look to be Super Bowl contenders, while the Jaguars are 1-11 and hoping to tank well enough for the No. 1 pick of the 2021 draft.

It might not be that simple for the Titans, though. This is known as a rivalry by fans and players on both sides, so I don’t expect the Jaguars to lay down very easily.

The Jaguars don’t have the best offense, but they’re not the worst offense in the league, either. The Jags have the No. 20 passing offense and No. 22 rushing offense in the league, so they can score; they’re just not consistent at it.

In the Jaguars’ eleven losses, six of those losses were one-score games, so their record doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story. Especially when the Titans’ secondary has been struggling recently.

The Jaguars have a pretty good receiving corps, so the secondary could be challenged again this week. If the Jaguars can put the pressure on the Titans’ defense early, then the Titans’ defense will have its back against the wall for the second week in a row.

It’s hard to say that Mike Glennon will be as successful as Mayfield was last week, but if the pass rush lacks again this week, then giving Glennon enough time to survey the whole field once or twice might be all he needs to make a few plays and put the Jags out front.

Jaguars running back James Robinson is also a threat for the Titans. He has 968 rushing yards on the season, which places him at No. 3 in the league in rushing yards. Derrick Henry is good, but so is Robinson, and the game could be decided by whichever running back can have the better game.

The Titans and Jaguars kick off at Noon CT on Sunday in what should be a close game. I expect the Titans to win and push the score to two possessions with a fourth-quarter touchdown to extend the lead, but it’s hard to be certain in the NFL, especially in 2020.