Remember the Titans. Most, if not all, of the Jacksonville Jaguars players and coaches probably saw the movie of that name starring Denzel Washington.
Thursday night, the Jags would like to forget their game with the Tennessee Titans, putting on a miserable performance in a 36-22 drubbing in Nashville.
The final score in no way reflects the domination Tennessee had over the Jaguars throughout the game.
Two weeks ago, there was optimism the Jags were getting things together after winning two straight games. Last week’s disappointing home loss to the Oakland Raiders was bad enough, but anyone would be hard-pressed to take away a positive from this fiasco.
Brad Nortman finished all five of Jacksonville’s first-half possessions with punts. The Jaguars ran only 22 plays in the first half and trailed 27-0 heading into the locker room. They had 60 yards of total offense at the break.
Meanwhile, the Tennessee offense was moving the ball and scoring at will. Quarterback Marcus Mariota threw only four incompletions out of 22 attempts.
The former Heisman winner finished with 270 passing yards and two touchdowns. His quarterback rating was a staggering 148.1.
This game was best illustrated on the Titans’ final possession of the first half. On a third-and-13 from their own three-yard line, the defense allowed running back DeMarco Murray to get outside for a 19-yard gain and a first down with 1:59 left.
Tennessee drove the length of the field and kicked a field goal on the final play. When Jacksonville drove 75 yards for a touchdown to open the second half, the Titans regained control with a 75-yard scoring drive of their own.
Part of the problem of falling behind is the necessity to get out of the game plan and throw on most downs. Quarterback Blake Bortles threw 54 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns, most accumulated after the game got out of hand.
Jacksonville attempted only 11 rushing plays for 48 yards. Bortles was the leading rusher with 22 yards.
This had to be an unsettling game for Jaguars’ Coach Gus Bradley. A performance such as this on national television will start the questioning on his job security.
Owner Shahid Khan is unlikely to make any moves before the end of the season, but with the record now at 2-5, this team had best decide if they want to play for Bradley or not. The results on the field will speak answer that question.
They can’t be this bad.
It does not get any easier. Next Sunday, the Jaguars head to Kansas City, who are 4-2 heading into Sunday’s game at Indianapolis.
