The Jacksonville Jaguars (1-12) had been competitive in most of their last five games, but Week 14’s showing against the Tennessee Titans (9-4) broke that trend. While they were able to keep it close in the first quarter, the floodgates opened in the second quarter as the Jags weren’t able to contain running back Derrick Henry.
When the clock hit 00:00, the former Yulee High star had a staggering 26 carries for 215 yards and two touchdowns. That was a total that accounted for all but 34 of his team’s yards on the ground and factored heavily into the final score, which was 31-10.
When looking at the key moments of the game, the Titans wasted no time getting on the board, scoring on their first drive with a highlight one-handed catch from receiver A.J. Brown on the sideline. The 37-yard catch was one that kicked off Brown’s big day through the air as he led the team in receiving with seven catches for 112 yards.
THE AMAZING ARTHUR JUAN! 😎 @Brown1arthur
📺: Watch #TENvsJAX on CBS pic.twitter.com/aktkBJM8W5
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 13, 2020
After Brown’s score, neither team would score until the second quarter. The Jags’ first score, which was a field goal, came after defensive end Dawuane Smoot forced a fumble on receiver Corey Davis on a screen play. However, the Titans answered back with a 33-yard rushing touchdown from Henry and a Stephen Gostkowski field goal before the half.
When both teams returned after the half, Tennessee didn’t take their foot off the pedal, scoring touchdowns on their first and second drives. The first came as Ryan Tannehill linked up with former Jags tight end Geoff Swaim for a 5-yard touchdown reception, putting the score at 24-3. After taking advantage of a Mike Glennon pick, the Titans followed up Swaim’s scoring drive with another touchdown as Henry scored again through a 1-yard goal-line carry, putting the score at 31-3.
After seeing enough of veteran Mike Glennon, the Jags turned back to Gardner Minshew II around the nine-minute mark of the third quarter. He followed up his re-insertion with an 11-play drive for 60 yards that ended with a 5-yard Keelan Cole touchdown reception. That gave the Jags their last points of the day and put the score at its final figure of 31-10.
Minshew ultimately finished the day as the Jags’ passing leader, going 18-of-31 for 178 yards and a touchdown. Marrone didn’t go as far as naming a starter after the game, but one would have to think Minshew will be given the nod later in the week.
Leading the way in terms of receiving was Cole, who had seven receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown while running back James Robinson led the way on the ground with 12 carries for 67 yards. That put the rookie over the 1,000-yard mark and added to what has been one of the best undrafted rookie showings in history.
With their lackluster performance against the Titans behind them, the Jags will now have to travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens next Sunday. They will have a lot to play for and currently hold a record of 7-5, which slots them at the No. 9 seed in the AFC playoff picture.