The Jacksonville Jaguars have emerged from their bye week looking like one of the NFL's most complete teams, outscoring their last two opponents by a combined 75-17. Now 6-2 and sitting atop the AFC South, Jacksonville heads to Nashville for a Week 10 matchup against the 1-7 Tennessee Titans.
On paper, the Jaguars have a significant advantage. They're coming off convincing victories over the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, while Tennessee has won just once this season. But Sunday's divisional matchup comes amid significant roster changes for both teams, and the Titans have shown flashes of improvement, despite their record. This includes their Week 8 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, a close match which the Titans very nearly won.
Here are five storylines to watch when Jacksonville faces Tennessee on Sunday.
How quickly can Jacksonville's new defensive additions make an impact?
The Jaguars were already fielding one of the NFL's best defenses before general manager James Gladstone made three significant moves ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. Jacksonville acquired safety Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons, defensive tackle Jordan Davis from the Philadelphia Eagles, and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux from the New Orleans Saints.
Bates brings extensive experience and a reputation for creating turnovers, with 28 career interceptions and 14 forced fumbles. Davis and Godchaux provide additional depth and physicality along the defensive interior.
The question heading into Sunday isn't whether these players can improve Jacksonville's defense over the long term, but how quickly they can be integrated into defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's system. With the Jaguars already allowing just 15.1 points per game, the second-best mark in the NFL, their new additions could make an impressive defense even more formidable.
Can Trevor Lawrence exploit Tennessee's depleted defense?
While Jacksonville spent the trade deadline strengthening its roster, Tennessee went in the opposite direction. The Titans traded defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears on October 29, and safety Amani Hooker to the Buffalo Bills on November 10.
Those are significant losses for a Tennessee defense that was already struggling to contain opposing offenses. Hooker had recorded five interceptions through eight games, including three in Tennessee's Week 8 overtime loss to the Bengals. In that same game, however, the Titans allowed quarterback Joe Burrow to throw for 462 yards and five touchdowns.
That's an encouraging matchup for Lawrence, who has thrown 18 touchdown passes against just four interceptions this season. Jacksonville has averaged 28.6 points per game, the fourth-best mark in the NFL, and Lawrence has demonstrated an ability to distribute the football effectively without relying on any single receiver.
With Tennessee missing two of its best defensive players, the Jaguars have an opportunity to continue building on their offensive momentum.
Can the Jaguars contain Tony Pollard?
Despite Tennessee's disappointing record, running back Tony Pollard has been a bright spot in recent weeks. Pollard rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns against Cincinnati, his second consecutive 100-yard performance. He has scored five rushing touchdowns over those two contests.
Titans head coach Robert Saleh credited Pollard's ability to create additional yardage, even when the offensive line doesn't provide ideal blocking. That's worth watching against a Jacksonville defense that ranks first in the NFL against the run.
A tough run defense has become a central part of the Jaguars' defensive identity under Campanile, and their recent acquisitions should provide additional help along the interior. Limiting Pollard could be particularly important this week. If Jacksonville can prevent Pollard from establishing a rhythm, it could force Tennessee into more predictable passing situations.
Will Cam Ward continue showing signs of improvement?
The Titans may have just one win, but quarterback Cam Ward is beginning to show signs of development in his second NFL season. Ward threw for a career-high 304 yards and two touchdowns against Cincinnati, finishing with a 104.6 passer rating. Although Tennessee ultimately lost, the performance was still an encouraging step forward for Ward.
That creates an intriguing matchup with Jacksonville's defense. The Jaguars have recorded 15 takeaways this season, including 11 interceptions, and enter Sunday's matchup with an NFL-leading plus-nine turnover differential.
Ward has thrown six touchdowns and five interceptions through eight games, and Jacksonville will look to capitalize on any mistakes. Still, dismissing Tennessee's passing attack based solely on the team's record would be a mistake, particularly after Ward's most productive performance of the season.
Can Jacksonville dominate another divisional opponent?
The Jaguars enter Sunday as clear favorites, but divisional games can present challenges that don't necessarily show up in the standings. Tennessee is coming off its Week 9 bye, giving Saleh and his coaching staff additional time to prepare. And lately, the Titans have also been more competitive than their record might suggest, having lost six games by just one score this season.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville is riding the momentum of two dominant performances, and has a chance to strengthen its position in the AFC South.
Sunday's matchup is the first of two meetings between the Jaguars and Titans in a three-week stretch. Tennessee will travel to Jacksonville for the rematch on November 29. Last season, the Jaguars dominated both meetings, winning 25-3 and 41-7. Repeating that success would help Jacksonville maintain its divisional advantage, and continue its push toward the postseason.
The Jaguars will need to approach Sunday's matchup with the same intensity and execution that helped them dismantle Indianapolis and Baltimore. At 6-2, Jacksonville has established itself as a legitimate contender and must maintain that standard, regardless of the opponent.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 5 storylines to watch in Jaguars vs. Titans in Week 10
