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Titans vs. Jaguars: Early battle for AFC South dampened

By Cody Williams

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars laughs while high-fiving Donte Moncrief #10 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half against the New England Patriots at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars laughs while high-fiving Donte Moncrief #10 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half against the New England Patriots at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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The Jacksonville Jaguars have a firm grasp on the AFC South right now, but the Tennessee Titans would like to make things interesting in Week 3.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have picked up right where they left off last year at the start of 2018. In fact, they might even be better. Their defense has continued to look like the potentially best unit in the entire NFL, but the offense has taken a possible step forward with Blake Bortles playing better. Now they look to topple one of the divisional nemeses, the Tennessee Titans, in Week 3.

Unfortunately, the Titans, it appears as if they’re going to have to play Sunday’s game without Marcus Mariota. The starting quarterback is still nursing an elbow injury he suffered against the Dolphins in Week 1. Helping Tennessee, however, is that now-starting Blaine Gabbert will be better protected with left tackle Taylor Lewan getting back into the mix.

Lewan and the Titans offensive line will have their work cut out for them against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has one of the most fearsome defensive fronts in the league, led by the likes of Calais Campbell. And with players like Telvin Smith and Jalen Ramsey behind them, this defense can shut down anyone — which might be bad news for Gabbert.

Here’s everything that you’re going to need to know about this game.

TV and Game Info

Date: Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018
Start Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Stadium: EverBank Stadium
TV Info: CBS
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket, FuboTV

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With news that Gabbert might start instead of Mariota, the Jags are now heavy favorites in this game at home. Of course, that could change if the latter plays for the Titans. For now, though, that’s the right call as the Jaguars clearly have the edge in this one.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Jacksonville -10
Moneyline: Jacksonville -500, Tennessee +350
Over/Under: 39.5

All odds courtesy of Odds Shark

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Prediction

In truth, I don’t see a lot of ways that either the Jaguars or the Titans are going to score a ton of points in this matchup. With Gabbert for Tennessee and a beat up offensive line for Jacksonville, that doesn’t seem to be in the cards. Having said that, Gabbert is the bigger blow to an offense, so the home team should be able to edge out the victory.

Final Score: Tennessee 13, Jacksonville 21

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