5 reasons to watch Titans-Jaguars

by | Nov 19, 2015

Titans at Jaguars? Really?

Is this what Thursday Night Football has come to? The two worst teams in the NFL’s worst division?

Well, don’t dismiss this game as a dud just yet. Before you decide to watch “The Big Bang Theory” or “Scandal” instead of football, here are five reasons why Titans-Jaguars might be more entertaining than you think.

If the Jaguars win, they’d be contenders in the AFC South

The Texans and Colts, both 4-5, currently share the AFC South lead. The Jaguars (4-6) would be just a half game behind if they can take care of the Titans at home tonight.

The Colts, without Andrew Luck, go to Atlanta Sunday and the Texans host the Jets. The Jaguars could have a share of first place by nightfall on Sunday, and their schedule is easier than the Texans’ and Colts’ schedules the rest of the way. Atlanta is the only team with a winning record the Jaguars face, and that’s at home in Week 15. The Colts have games at Pittsburgh and Miami looming and the Texans go to Buffalo and host New England. This could be America’s first prime-time look at a playoff team.

Allen Hurns’ touchdown streak

Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns has caught a touchdown pass in seven consecutive games. It’s the longest such streak since Dez Bryant caught a touchdown pass in seven straight games in 2012. A.J. Green had nine straight that year, according to ESPN.com. If you watch tonight’s game, you could witness a superstar in the making.

Rising stars

Allen Hurns gets his own stage because of his touchdown streak, but this game features several up-and-comers who could be prime-time regulars in the years to come.

Hurns, Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles and receiver Allen Robinson have combined for some big plays this season. Bortles has completed 40 passes of 20 or more yards, according to CBSSports.com. Only Drew Brees and Carson Palmer have thrown more.

Among receivers who have caught 40 or more passes this season, Hurns and Robinson lead the way with 17 and 16.8 yards per reception, respectively. Robinson leads the Jaguars with 45 receptions and Hurns is second with 41.

It would be interesting to hear any conversation that takes place between Bortles, last year’s No. 3 overall pick in the draft, and Marcus Mariota.

This year’s No. 2 overall pick, Mariota is ninth among starting quarterbacks with a 98.3 passer rating. He’s thrown 13 touchdown passes and six interceptions. Since coming back from a knee injury, Mariota threw four touchdown passes with no picks and notched his first career fourth-quarter comeback in a 34-28, overtime win at New Orleans. Then on Sunday he threw an interception with no touchdown passes in a 27-10 loss at Carolina. But not many quarterbacks have a great day against the Panthers.

Titans defense vs. Jaguars offense

The Jaguars’ young playmakers going up against the Titans’ underrated defense makes for an intriguing matchup.

The Titans (2-7) are allowing 213.8 passing yards per game, fifth in the NFL. Of course teams don’t usually fall behind the Titans, so they don’t have to throw. But the Titans are fifth in the league in both yards allowed per game (326.1) and sacks (27), and their sacks leader is someone who many people probably don’t even know is playing in Tennessee.

Brian Orakpo, whose season was cut short by an injury after just half a sack for the Redskins last year, has resurfaced in Tennessee with six sacks so far this season. He’ll have his work cut out for him, however. The 6’5″, 232-pound Bortles can avoid pressure and keep plays alive.

Color Rush uniforms

The Titans and Jaguars will break out the NFL’s latest “Color Rush” uniforms tonight. It’s basically going to look like big gobs of blue and yellow on your screen. According to ESPN.com it shouldn’t be quite as much of a problem for the color blind as the Bills’ red and the Jets’ green last week. If you’re not color blind, they’ll probably be an eyesore. But the curiosity factor makes them worth a look. Sort of like rubbernecking at an accident scene.