Jaguars-Titans Preview

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• Countdown Daily Recap: Jaguars-Titans

SCOUTING REPORT

Jaguars-Titans: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Jaguars-Titans matchup. 1. Jacksonville must gain positive yards on first and second down: The Jaguars are not a dynamic passing team that can move the ball through the air on a consistent basis. Although QB David Garrard has thrown only three interceptions, he has only five touchdown passes and finds most of his success throwing off play-action. Jacksonville can't afford to get into too many third-and-long situations.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
JAC	6-4	199	235	4-1	2-3	2-2	5-2
TEN	4-6	209	272	2-2	2-4	2-3	3-6
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Jacksonville Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Garrar... 61.8 2303 8 6 McCown 33.3 2 0 0

Tennessee Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Collin... 54.8 1071 5 8 Young 62.9 623 3 2

Jacksonville Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Jones-... 194 926 4.8 13 Garrar... 50 218 4.4 2

Tennessee Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Johnso... 199 1242 6.2 8 White 61 208 3.4 2

Jacksonville Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Sims-W... 47 694 14.8 6 Holt 38 516 13.6 0

Tennessee Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Britt 26 393 15.1 1 Gage 22 302 13.7 1

Full Player Stats: Jacksonville | Tennessee

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	JAC	354.0
	TEN	333.0
Yards Passing	JAC	217.7
	TEN	164.8
Yards Rushing	JAC	136.3
	TEN	168.4
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	JAC	356.1
	TEN	375.8
Pass Yds Allowed	JAC	244.0
	TEN	271.7
Rush Yds Allowed	JAC	112.1
	TEN	104.1

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Tennessee leads 11-7
Oct 4, 2009	JAC 37, @TEN 17
Nov 16, 2008	JAC 14, @TEN 24
Sep 7, 2008	JAC 10, TEN 17
Nov 11, 2007	JAC 28, TEN 13
Sep 9, 2007	JAC 10, @TEN 13
Dec 17, 2006	JAC 17, TEN 24
Nov 5, 2006	JAC 37, @TEN 7
Jan 1, 2006	JAC 40, @TEN 13
Nov 20, 2005	JAC 31, TEN 28
Nov 21, 2004	JAC 15, @TEN 18
Sep 26, 2004	JAC 15, TEN 12
Nov 16, 2003	JAC 3, TEN 10
Oct 26, 2003	JAC 17, @TEN 30
Dec 22, 2002	JAC 10, @TEN 28
Oct 13, 2002	JAC 14, TEN 23
Nov 4, 2001	JAC 24, TEN 28
Sep 23, 2001	JAC 13, @TEN 6

The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the same position they were at the bye week last season.

The Tennessee Titans hardly resemble last year's team, and it has cost Kerry Collins his starting job.

An AFC South matchup with the winless Titans on Sunday should give the Jaguars an excellent opportunity to move above .500 for the first time this season, with Vince Young set to start in place of the struggling Collins.

Jacksonville (3-3) has won three of four, including a 37-17 victory over Tennessee (0-6) on Oct. 4. The Jaguars also were 3-3 last season but were terrible after their bye week, losing eight of 10.

Following this year's week off, Jacksonville believes it is heading in the right direction.

"This is a different team, different locker room, different attitude," tight end Marcedes Lewis said. "I just feel like leadership on this team this year is better. The young guys are buying in, everybody's buying in. It's a different attitude about everything, about how we handle our business."

David Garrard, who threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns versus the Titans, agreed.

"We've had some bumps in the road, but with this team, I know these guys are passionate about being Jaguars and being a part of this team," Garrard said. "Not to name any names, but you definitely had a different feel (in 2008). You probably had more bickering in the locker room."

Jacksonville parted with nearly a dozen starters following last year's collapse. The Jaguars appeared headed for another long season after losing 41-0 to Seattle on Oct. 11, but bounced back the next week with a 23-20 victory over winless St. Louis.

Tennessee, St. Louis and Tampa Bay are the only teams that have yet to win a game. The Titans have lost eight straight since last season, when they won their first 10 en route to finishing an NFL-best 13-3.

Collins went 12-3 as a starter in 2008, replacing Young in a season-opening 17-10 win over Jacksonville on Sept. 7, 2008.

Young was intercepted twice in that contest and had to be told by coach Jeff Fisher to go back into the game. Young hurt his knee a few plays later.

Now, Young gets his chance to make his first start since then.

Titans owner Bud Adams reportedly spoke to Fisher during the bye week, telling the coach he wanted Young to start against the Jaguars over Collins, who went 2 for 12 for minus-7 yards and an interception in a 59-0 loss to New England on Oct. 18.

Fisher announced the expected move Thursday after practice.

"We're in a unique situation right now. We haven't won a game. We wouldn't be having this conversation if we were 3-3," Fisher said.

Young will take over a Tennessee team that hasn't scored a touchdown in eight quarters.

Young replaced Collins during an 0-5 start in '06, and he went on to earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors as the Titans finished 8-8. He regressed the following season, throwing nine TDs while getting picked off 17 times.

However, he has won five of his last six starts.

Young has thrown for 693 yards and three touchdowns with eight interceptions in five starts against Jacksonville, but Tennessee won three of those matchups.

"If we win, it's going to be good," Young said. "If we lose, it's all going to be Vince Young's fault. I just want to go out and play and get my rhythm back and put smiles on my coaches' faces and my teammates' faces and definitely the fans."

Jacksonville cornerback Rashean Mathis, who has intercepted Young three times, won't play in this contest after suffering a broken left index finger against the Rams. Mathis, the Jaguars' best defensive back, had surgery during the bye week.

Scott Starks or Tyrone Brackenridge will start opposite rookie Derek Cox.

Outsiders: Week 12 previews

Football Outsiders analyzes Week 12 in the NFL. Ideas: Oakland isn't THAT bad; Reggie Bush is poised for a big game vs. New England; Pittsburgh needs to play better in the second half; David Garrard gets knocked around too much and a plan for Houston.

Clayton: Pressure falls on Pats in Monday night showdown

The Saints have the burden of protecting a perfect record, but the Patriots will be feeling the most pressure on Monday night, writes John Clayton.

Joyner: Targeting weak veteran corners

It's not just the hobbled and inexperienced who can be exploited for fantasy gain. KC Joyner offers a few struggling veteran cornerbacks -- and the receivers who will break them -- to add to your list of favorable fantasy matchups in the coming weeks.

Titans win 4th straight when Brown's kick wide

Rob Bironas kicked a 53-yard field goal with less than a minute remaining and the Tennessee Titans beat the Houston Texans 20-17 for their fourth straight victory after an 0-6 start.

Jaguars coach blasts Henderson for leaving workout because of 'minor' shoulder injury

RICK WILSON/The Times-UnionJaguars defensive tackle John Henderson grabs his left shoulder during an organized team activity session Monday at the practice fields adjacent to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

Safety McCree set to rejoin Jaguars

DON BURK/The Times-UnionMarlon McCree , with San Diego in this 2007 photo, is set to return to the Jaguars.

After lost season, Jags seek how to put 'train' back on track

Among the league's most disappointing teams last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars never came close to meeting expectations as a chic preseason Super Bowl pick.

NewFull-speed ahead for Jaguars safety Nelson

RICK WILSON/The Times-Union Jaguars safety Reggie Nelson breaks up a pass intended for Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco during the Jaguars' 21-19 loss in Cincinnati on Nov.

Ex-Jaguar pleads not guilty to drug charges

Former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jimmy Smith pleaded not guilty to several charges Thursday including possession of cocaine and marijuana.

Vince Young: play me or let me go

If the Titans don't want him to play, Vince Young is ready to move on. The No. 3 pick of the 2006 NFL Draft told a Baltimore television station Monday that he wanted to become the starting quarterback for the Titans - regaining the job he lost last season to Kerry Collins in dramatic fashion - or find another team.

Quarterback steps out of bounds again

Will Vince Young ever get it? Just when you believe the Titans' backup quarterback is beginning to absorb the big picture of what it takes to be an NFL quarterback, he gives you reason to doubt him.

Titan sharpens focus after eye surgery

Titans cornerback Nick Harper could blame his hands for not having more interceptions last season, but the bigger problem was his eyesight.

McNair says he believes Young is maturing

Steve McNair touched on a variety of subjects at his eighth annual football camp at Goodpasture Christian School on Friday.

Nick Harper overcomes age, vision to stick in Titans' secondary

Titans cornerback Nick Harper could blame his hands for not having more interceptions last season, but the bigger problem was his eyesight.