The Tennesse Titans (2-7) are coming from a 27-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers last week.
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(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack). Sure there was a touchdown pass given up, but it was only because the Titans punt unit did absolutely nothing to stop the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With their win, the Jaguars moved to 4-6 and could be in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC South by Sunday evening. Well, there was one other reason that the Jaguars scored on that play and it was something that killed the Titans the whole game.
“We just ran out of time”, Tennessee interim head coach Mike Mularkey said.
“(On the last play) we had to throw it to the end zone. When it’s been since December 2013 since this franchise won consecutive games, perhaps there will be a bit of Jaguars fever brewing in north Florida.
Blake Bortles and Marcus Mariota are similar in the fact that both were top-three picks in their respective drafts – Bortles went No. 3 in 2014, Mariota No. 2 in 2015 – but they’re not really linked together. Mularkey was sacked after a 2-14 season with the Jaguars in 2012.
For much of the night, it looked as if Mularkey would celebrate a win in Jacksonville.
Rashad Green missed the past seven games due to a torn ligament in his left thumb. On the ensuing play, Thomas beat Derrick Morgan for the Jaguars first touchdown of the night. “That’s kind of a mismatch”. “That’s on me”, Supernaw said.
“He is just doing what he does best – make plays when he has to, ” Walker said. “No matter what bad happens, this team is always going to fight, like we did on that last drive”.
Tennessee had one final opportunity with quarterback Marcus Mariota moving the team from his 20 to the Jaguars’ 23-yard line with five seconds left. Branch did his usual windmill dance as he was mobbed by teammates.
Mariota completed 22 of 35 passes for 231 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.
“I had to get a few good Gatorade, a few fluids”, Bortles said. Fortunately for Jacksonville, the Jaguars secured the victory after producing the final turnover of the game.
Still, the Jaguars failed to take advantage and were forced to punt yet again.
Bortles dealt with dehydration in the locker room early in the fourth quarter, but did not miss a play. But on the first play from scrimmage, Phillip Supernaw would catch the Mariota pass and then would fumble the ball.
STREAK ENDS: Jaguars receiver Allen Hurns had his seven-game touchdown streak come to an end. It was just the second touchdown of the season for Thomas, who caught five passes for 28 yards on Thursday.
On the season, the Tennessee Titans average 229.9 yards in passing and 101.6 yards in rushing. Bortles and running back T.J. Yeldon led a balanced Jacksonville drive that ended with a 20-yard field goal by Myers. “We just made too many mistakes and in a game like this, you can’t do that. It’s really frustrating. It is what it is, but we’ll keep the faith and keep moving on”. “It’s frustrating to lose a game like this”. Running back Dexter McCluster left the game with a knee injury.
Both teams needed a win to stay in the mix in the AFC South.
So the division is up for grabs.
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Bortles then moved the Jaguars downfield once again, but a poor throw to Thomas proved to be costly. Jacksonville also has three of its next four at home. George knows that’s not the fate of these two particular teams this year, but he also sees what we see.
