Jacksonville Jaguars ride Brian Thomas Jr., defense to victory against Tennessee Titans
The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) picked up a 20-13 win against the Tennessee Titans (3-13) to close out the calendar year.
A soggy Sunday from EverBank Stadium pitted the two AFC South rivals against each other in unfamiliar circumstances.
When the teams met near the end of the season for the past two years, playoffs were at stake. Today, however, both teams were playing for the chance to keep their draft standings intact.
And the Titans did just that with a loss.
The Jaguars outlasted the Titans as Antonio Johnson batted down a Mason Rudolph pass at the goal line with Tennessee facing fourth down as the final few seconds wound down.
After taking a 10-point advantage into halftime, the Jaguars allowed the Titans to move down the field on the opening possession of the second half. Tennessee capped a 13 play, 85-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown pass to tight end Nick Vannett.
Jacksonville’s defense, led by Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, were stingy and didn’t allow the Titans to score on the ensuing possession.
They kept the Titans out of the end zone for the rest of the game, only allowing a field goal to the visitors for the remainder of the contest.
Offensively, quarterback Mac Jones passed for 174 yards, completing 15 of 22 passes and tossed a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Travis Etienne led the way on the ground for Jacksonville, recording 49 yards on 15 carries.
Jaguars emphasize getting Brian Thomas Jr. the ball as rookie receiver continues to impress
The Jaguars have a depleted offensive unit. They’re down five starters to season-ending injuries, but one player has shined in this turbulent season.
Rookie pass catcher Brian Thomas Jr. continued his stellar rookie season, totaling 91 yards and a touchdown against the Titans.
Offensive coordinator Press Taylor has emphasized the need for Jacksonville to find different ways to get Thomas the ball. The team displayed that urgency against the Titans.
They tossed a shovel pass to him, giving him some momentum by motioning him into the backfield before receiving the ball. Then they called an end around for him that went for 17 yards.
Thomas and Jones connected for a 31-yard reception to advance the Jaguars down the field with Thomas allowing the ball to drop in over his shoulder. The move gave the defender zero chance to guard the pass.
His standout day was capped with a touchdown reception in the fourth quarter that gave Jacksonville the distance they needed to secure the victory.
Devin Lloyd interception pass tipped by Jordan Jefferson & running back
The Jaguars did something on Sunday they hadn’t managed to do in more than a month. They recorded a takeaway as Devin Lloyd intercepted a Mason Rudolph pass in the first half.
Lloyd was in the perfect place for the twice-tipped pass, catching it after rookie defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson and running back Julius Chestnut, both deflected the ball.
It’s the first time the Jaguars logged a takeaway since Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings and only the fifth interception of the season.
The lack of takeaways is an indicator of how poorly Jacksonville’s defense has played this year. Entering the game, the Jaguars were the at the very bottom of the NFL in takeaways per game.
With only a game remaining, it’ll be seen if they can inspire more disruption next week.
Walker moves into Top 10 in franchise history for sacks
Former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker continued to rise in the history books for the Jaguars. Walker recorded a sack in the game and moved into top 10 in franchise history with 23 in his career.
His sack raised his total for the year to 9.5, which leaves him half a sack away from recording double-digit sacks for the second consecutive season.
Walker forced a fumble against Mason Rudolph, jarring the ball free in the backfield but it was recovered by a Tennessee lineman and immediately blown dead.
Walker and Jacksonville's defense totaled three sacks against the Titans, adding five QB hits and six tackles for a loss.
They didn't allow Tennessee time to pick out receivers and made it difficult in passing situations for the Titans to gain yardage.