NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A few thoughts on the Jacksonville Jaguars' 16-14 loss to the Titans at LP Field:
What it means: The Jaguars won't have many chances to win games this season, but Sunday’s matchup against Tennessee was one of them. The Titans started backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst and rookie left tackle Taylor Lewan, and they didn’t have No. 1 running back Shonn Greene. Still, they were able to move the ball against the Jaguars. Jacksonville didn’t force a single turnover, but the offense committed two critical turnovers deep inside Tennessee territory. Blake Bortles was intercepted after receiver Allen Hurns slipped coming out of his break, but the second was a killer: receiver Cecil Shorts had the ball stripped by Jason McCourty inside the 10-yard line. This was the most winnable game on the team’s schedule before the bye week.
Stock watch: If anyone thought the secondary and pass defense had turned a corner with last Sunday’s performance against Pittsburgh, he has to be discouraged by what he saw against the Titans. Receivers were again running wide-open, and so was tight end Delanie Walker, and the Titans capitalized with some big plays. It wasn’t Philip Rivers or Ben Roethlisberger making those throws, either. It was Whitehurst, who threw for 233 yards.
Long drives: The Jaguars never benefited from good field position on Sunday. They started only one drive beyond their own 20-yard line. Even when they had a chance, they hurt themselves with a penalty: Josh Evans was penalized for an illegal block in the back in the fourth quarter that put the ball on the 6-yard line. Four of the Jags’ five first-half possessions began at their 20; the other began at their 16. It was even worse in the second half. Until they took over at their own 42 after recovering the onside kick, they started three drives inside the 20.
Game ball: Bortles almost pulled off a stunning victory by driving the team 83 yards for a late touchdown and getting it in position for a Josh Scobee game-winning field goal. Bortles finished with a career-high 336 yards passing and one touchdown with one interception.
What’s next: The Jaguars return home to face the Cleveland Browns next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
