NFL Football Previews – Tennessee Titans vs Jacksonville Jaguars
A Titans/Jaguar matchup hasn’t been this meaningful in years. Now that Peyton Manning is out indefinitely and the Colts are seriously weakened, the AFC South is up for grabs. The Titans and Jags have gone from also-rans to division contenders overnight.
NFL Week 1: Titans vs. Jaguars
Date: Sunday, September 11, 2011
Venue: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL
Broadcast: CBS
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars Betting Lines from DSI Sportsbook
Money Line: titans +115, Jaguars -135
Spread: Jaguars -1
Over/Under: 37
Their Week-1 meeting should be a spirited affair.
Tennessee Titans (0-0)
Let the Jake Locker era begin. Well, not really. The Titans did say goodbye to Vince Young (and coach Jeff Fisher) this offseason, and they did draft Locker, but the starting quarterback reins belong to veteran signee Matt Hasselbeck for now.
While Hasselbeck doesn’t have an elite offense in front of him, he probably has his best group of targets since the Seahawks’ heyday. No one questions wideout Kenny Britt’s talent; tight end Jared Cook is expected to have a Jermichael Finley-like role; and Chris Johnson still excels as a pass catcher. Johnson looks like he’s in for a full workload in the backfield despite his offseason holdout.
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0)
The Jags are in disarray after a wild week that saw stellar backup Rashad Jennings suffer a season-ending injury and starting quarterback David Garrard get released. Will they pick up the pieces in time to win at home on Sunday?
At least Maurice Jones-Drew seems primed for a big game. The human bowling ball reportedly lost a significant amount of weight this offseason, meaning he’ll be more explosive and have less stress on his joints. Luke McCown steps in to replace David Garrard and at least isn’t afraid to take shots downfield. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The pick:
This should be a close game – but I think the Jaguars’ pass rush will sink them. They can’t get to the quarterback. They finished 32 and 30th in the NFL in sacks over the last two years. Hasselbeck is washed up but he’s still good enough and smart enough to make big plays if he has all day to throw – and he will.
The Titans are no defensive dynamos but McCown may be too raw and reckless to hurt them; he also lacks the downfield target to match his skills.
Look for Tennessee to ride capitalize on the Jags’ weak “D” and do enough to win on Sunday.
Tennessee at Jacksonville Gambling Trends:
Under is 8-2 in TEN last 10 vs. AFC South.
TEN are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games on grass.
Over is 11-5 in TEN last 16 games on grass.
JAC are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games in Week 1.
Over is 8-2 in JAC last 10 games overall.
Over is 10-4 in JAC last 14 games on grass.
Titans vs Jaguars prediction:
Titans 24, Jaguars 17
Money Line: Titans +135
Spread: Titans +1
Over/Under: OVER 37
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