NFL Predictions: Titans vs. Jaguars Preview

Written by Jake Thompson
Saturday, 10 September 2011 20:45

We have a Sunday NFL early game preview with predictions on the final score in the clash between the Titans and the Jaguars.

The Tennessee Titans (0-0) will be the road team in their 1:00 PM ET game against the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0), and our NFL predictions will let everyone know what to expect.  These AFC South teams know each other well and the Jaguars lost 3-30 against the Titans in Jacksonville last year.  Jacksonville rebounded with 17-6 road win of their own against Tennessee later in the year and this matchup looks fairly even on the surface.

Tennessee should have better quarterback play this season after drafting Jake Locker and signing former Seattle Seahawks standout Matt Hassselbeck.  The Titans struggled to find a passing game to complement running back Chris Johnson’s rushing attack and should be more balanced this time around with Hasselbeck at the helm.  Jacksonville’s defense was poor last year and doesn’t look improved much after allowing an average of 29.75 points over 4 games in the NFL preseason.

Jacksonville ran the ball well last year but didn’t always achieve a reliable passing attack, which makes their decision to cut starting quarterback David Garrard right before the regular season started that much stranger.  Top draft pick Blaine Gabbert is obviously the future but he doesn’t appear ready just yet, and the Jaguars will turn to veteran Luke McCown to carry the load here.  Running back Maurice Jones-Drew should help take some pressure off the quarterback, but ultimately the ground game alone isn’t going to get the job done against an above average Titans defense.

Legends Sportsbook (25% sign-up bonus for readers who sign-up through that link) has the Titans vs. Jaguars point spread favoring the home-team at -2 with a total of just 37.  The Titans have covered the point spread in 3 of the last 5 head-to-head meetings while the under has been a winner in the last 3 straight against the Jaguars.

With the Titans having the edge on defense and the edge at quarterback I have to believe that Tennessee gets the job done despite the tough road environment.  Jacksonville won’t have much going for them outside of the running game and the Titans simply have more ways to move the ball.  Hasselbeck’s experience at quarterback should ensure that opposing defenses can’t focus on loading the box to stop Johnson, and our Titans vs. Jaguars preview will call for the road underdog to win outright.

Titans vs. Jaguars Score Predictions:

Titans 20

Jaguars 13