JACKSONVILLE – Every week during the 2023 season, a panel of Jaguars “specialists” including Tony Boselli, Frank Frangie, Jeff Lageman, Brent Martineau, John Oehser, Brian Sexton, J.P. Shadrick, and Kainani Stevens, will scrutinize the Jaguars’ upcoming match.
The Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Tony Boselli, Jaguars Analyst and Former Jaguars Left Tackle
- The Jaguars will emerge victorious if: They execute a flawless game with no turnovers, no mental mistakes, minimal penalties, and not allowing the Titans any advantages. We won’t know until game time if quarterback Trevor Lawrence is playing. Regardless, if they don’t self-sabotage and prevent Titans running back Derrick Henry from dominating, they will emerge triumphant.
- The Titans will win if: They secure a 2+ turnover margin and Henry has a phenomenal performance. The Titans are disadvantaged with their best defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons out, playing with their backup quarterback, and a subpar offensive line. They will depend on the Jaguars’ errors and turnovers to secure a victory before their off-season.
- Boselli’s perspective: The AFC South is within the Jaguars’ reach and if they don’t impede their own progress, victory will be theirs. I believe they will have a strong start and the Titans will start contemplating their off-season plans midway through the second quarter. Jags will win by a significant margin.
Frank Frangie, Radio Voice of the Jaguars
- The Jaguars will win if: They maintain the same level of defense as displayed last week against Carolina. They effectively covered and exerted immense pressure on the opponent quarterback. The Titans will aim to stick to their usual strategy of running the ball, so the Jaguars need to dominate during the initial downs. If Trevor Lawrence, along with wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, return, it would be a significant boost. The offense could resemble the team’s form when they started 8-3 before Kirk’s injury. This could be their healthiest and most cohesive lineup in a while.
- The Titans will win if: As in the past, Henry finds his rhythm and they effectively run the ball. They will also require a few turnovers to secure the win.
- Frangie’s viewpoint: The Jags have a superior team, have everything at stake, and have shown commendable performance during crucial moments under Pederson’s leadership. I anticipate another strong performance from them, leading to victory and a playoff berth.
Jeff Lageman, Jaguars Analyst and Former Jaguars Defensive End
- The Jaguars will win if: They demonstrate clean play on both ends of the game. Protecting the ball, minimizing penalties, and maintaining proper communication all fall under the umbrella of clean play. This was instrumental in enabling the Jaguars to break their four-game losing streak last Sunday and will propel them towards a second consecutive divisional title.
- The Titans will win if: They manage to secure takeaways that allow Henry to gain momentum and dominate on the ground. The Titans’ offensive line has been a weak point for a couple of years now, and if Henry picks up pace, it will boost the confidence of this Titans team.
- Lageman’s perspective: This game shares many similarities with the Jaguars’ previous week, with a few significant differences. Vrabel is a highly competent coach and will have his team fully prepared to battle for the entire 60 minutes. Additionally, the Titans are a thorn in the Jaguars’ side as a divisional opponent. The Jaguars will deliver a focused performance, led by their head coach Pederson, who is also remarkably skilled.
Brent Martineau, Action Sports Jax Sports Director
- The Jaguars will win if: They outperform the Titans in the turnover battle. The Jags are likely to mimic the plan that helped them secure a victory against Carolina. They must avoid turnovers and prevent the Titans from gaining hope and momentum. If the Jaguars can gain an early lead and hold onto possession, it will be a successful day in Nashville.
- The Titans will win if: Henry delivers another outstanding performance against the Jaguars. The flow of the game will determine how long Tennessee can rely on Henry to lead them to victory in what may be his final game in Nashville.
- Martineau’s viewpoint: On paper, this appears to be an intriguing matchup. The Jaguars have triumphed in the last three meetings with Tennessee. However, it’s likely that this one won’t be a straightforward encounter. I believe the Jaguars are in better health and are determined to return to the playoffs. They will secure a late win with a scoreline of 24-13.
