The Jacksonville Jaguars are taking on the Tennessee Titans in Nashville for Week 10, the second divisional matchup in three weeks for the Jaguars. Jacksonville had back-to-back blowout victories over the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens in Weeks 8 and 9, and will be looking to make it three wins in a row.
The Jaguars are currently 6-2 and on top of the AFC South, while the Titans are 1-7 and coming off a bye week. Although Tennessee has been struggling this season, it has also begun showing signs of improvement, including going overtime against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8.
That means Jacksonville cannot be cavalier about this game, and must treat the Titans as a significant threat. Here are five keys to the game.
Shut down Tony Pollard early
The Tennessee offense
has found success in recent weeks largely because of running back Tony Pollard, who has rushed for 246 yards and five touchdowns over his last two games. Pollard has been particularly good at creating additional yardage after contact, and this production has helped the Titans establish a more balanced offensive attack.
Fortunately for the Jaguars, stopping the run has been one of the defense's greatest strengths. Jacksonville enters Sunday's game with the NFL's top-ranked rushing defense, allowing just 89.3 yards per game on the ground. But stopping Pollard will require more than simply controlling the interior. His ability to attack the edges and make defenders miss in space means Jacksonville's linebackers and defensive backs will need to tackle effectively.
If the Jaguars can limit Pollard on early downs, Tennessee could struggle to sustain drives and establish the offensive balance that has fueled its recent improvement.
Pressure Cam Ward without allowing him to extend plays
Titans quarterback Cam Ward is coming off one of the best performances of his NFL career, throwing for 304 yards and two touchdowns against Cincinnati. He also contributed 41 rushing yards, showing he has the mobility to make him dangerous when plays break down.
Jacksonville will need to account for that ability when developing its pass-rushing approach. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker should have opportunities to generate pressure against Tennessee's offensive line, particularly if the Jaguars can force the Titans into obvious passing situations.
However, undisciplined pressure could create opportunities for Ward to escape the pocket and extend plays, potentially leading to downfield plays. The Jaguars must maintain their rush lanes while limiting Ward's ability to find receivers downfield after the initial play breaks down.
Protect the football against Tennessee's opportunistic defense
Jacksonville has done a great job so far this season of protecting the football. The Jaguars have committed just six turnovers through eight games, helping them establish an NFL-leading plus-nine turnover differential. Trevor Lawrence has been particularly impressive, throwing 18 touchdown passes against just four interceptions.
But Tennessee's defense shouldn't be underestimated.
Despite the Titans' disappointing record, they've generated nine takeaways over their last three games, tying for the most in the NFL during that stretch. The unit has also demonstrated an ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks, with defensive end Jacob Martin recording a team-leading 6.5 sacks. Tennessee's recent trades of Jeffery Simmons and Amani Hooker have removed two important contributors, but the remaining defenders are still capable of creating disruptive plays.
Jacksonville's offensive line must give Lawrence sufficient time to operate, and Lawrence needs to continue making smart decisions while under pressure. Avoiding turnovers is particularly important against a struggling opponent. Giving Tennessee short fields or additional possessions could allow the Titans to remain competitive even if Jacksonville controls much of the game.
Maintain offensive balance despite injury concerns
Jacksonville's offense is one of the best in the NFL, averaging 28.6 points per game. A major factor in that success has been head coach Liam Coen's ability to incorporate different contributors into the offense, preventing defenses from concentrating on any single player. But injuries could test that versatility Sunday.
Leading rusher Bhayshul Tuten missed both Wednesday's and Thursday's practices with ankle and foot injuries, while Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been limited by a hand injury. And their availability could influence Jacksonville's approach against Tennessee.
The Jaguars have demonstrated they can win without a dominant rushing performance, with their 33-10 win over Baltimore as an example. Lawrence completed passes to eight different receivers in that contest, helping Jacksonville move the football despite limited success on the ground.
That flexibility could be important again. Jacksonville ranks third in the NFL in third-down conversion percentage at 46.4%, an indication of its ability to sustain drives even when explosive plays aren't available, and maintaining that efficiency against Tennessee will be crucial.
Start fast and avoid giving Tennessee confidence
Jacksonville's most important job on Sunday will be establishing control of the game early. The Jaguars have been dominant in their last two outings, defeating Indianapolis 42-7 before dismantling Baltimore 33-10. Those games demonstrated how difficult Jacksonville can be to beat when its offense and defense are both executing at a high level.
Tennessee, however, has shown that it can compete when given opportunities. The Titans scored a season-high 36 points against Cincinnati in their most recent game, even taking a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter before ultimately losing in overtime. They'll also benefit from an additional week of preparation following a bye.
Jacksonville cannot afford to assume that Tennessee's record guarantees an easy victory. An early lead would force the Titans to move away from their preferred offensive balance and place additional pressure on Ward to generate production through the passing game. It would also allow Jacksonville's defense to attack more aggressively, potentially creating additional turnover opportunities. But the Jaguars must capitalize when they reach the red zone.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 5 keys to a Jaguars victory over the Titans in Week 10
