Tennessee (2-7) at Jacksonville (3-6)
When: Thursday, November 19th 2015
Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL
Time: 8:30 ET | TV: NFL Network
The Jacksonville Jaguars snapped a 13-game road losing streak last week in Baltimore when they got help from the officials and a 53-yard game winning field goal as time expired to beat the Ravens 22-20. That win not only gave them their first road win in over a year, it moved them to within one game of the AFC South lead. Jacksonville and quarterback Blake Bortles set a franchise record by throwing for at least two touchdowns in each of his last five games, but he’s also been held under 200 yards and failed to complete 50% of his passes twice in the past three games. He’s found some chemistry with the Allen receivers, Hurd and Robinson. Between the two of them, they have 86 catches, 1,455 yards, and 14 of Bortles’ 19 touchdowns. Rookie running back T.J. Yeldon, who has broken 100 yards only twice this season, missed practice on Tuesday but insisted he will play against the Titans. Jacksonville is 30th in points allowed and have only held on opponent under 20 points this season. The Jaguars will be in good shape if they come out of this game with a win. They host the struggling Chargers next week, then play these Titans again before a showdown with Indianapolis.
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The Titans will be playing their third game under interim head coach Mike Mularkey, who coached the Jaguars to a 2-14 season in 2012 before being fired. Tennessee dropped a 27-10 decision to unbeaten Carolina last week, but won Mularkey’s debut the week before 34-28 over New Orleans. Quarterback Marcus Mariota was held in check last week against the Panthers, but had a season-high 371 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Saints. The rookie now has 13 touchdowns in his first 7 career starts. Mariota lost one of his starting wide receivers last week when Justin Hunter broke his ankle and is done for the year. The Titans have been keeping games close thanks to their 5th ranked over defense and 3rd ranked passing defense. The are also 5th in the league with 27 sacks. Tennessee’s finishing schedule is a lot tougher than the Jaguars, so a win tonight is a must or they are probably done.
Jacksonville carries more momentum into this game than the Titans and the Jags are playing at home. Bortles vs. Mariota should be a good battle since both teams have poor running games. Jacksonville has covered the spread in 7 of the last 9 meetings and one of those was a push. I’ll take the home team as one of my top 5 Staff Selections.
Pick: Jaguars -2.5
