During his Monday press conference, Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel said Marcus Mariota’s status for Week 3 is similar to what it was last Friday and Saturday. His quarterback can do some things, but admittedly can’t make certain throws due to an elbow injury sustained in Week 1 at Miami. With Jacksonville’s starting running back, Leonard Fournette, questionable with a hamstring injury, oddsmakers are having a tough time. The spread opened and remains Jaguars -6.5 with an O/U total of 39.5 at a few sportsbooks. Until we know more about the injury status of several, no moneylines have been set.
- The Titans are 3-1 ATS in their last four games vs the Jaguars.
- The Jaguars are 10-0 SU in their last 10 games in the early afternoon.
- The Titans are 6-16 ATS in their last 22 games on the road vs teams with winning records.
MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS
Previewing this game with so many unanswered questions is an exercise in futility. Yet, we’ll give it the ol’ collegiate try.
Tennessee Variables
Marcus Mariota was active in Week 2 and would have been available in an emergency if Blaine Gabbert was knocked out of the game. However, had Mariota entered the game, he would have been playing behind an offensive line missing two key linemen in Jack Conklin and Taylor Lewan. Conklin continues to work his way back from a torn ACL and isn’t expected back for a few more weeks, while Lewan missed the game due to a concussion sustained in Week 1. With what Jacksonville features on the defensive side of the line, Mariota may want to sit out Week 3, too.
One wrinkle to think about if Mariota does indeed return to the starting lineup. It’ll be one of the rare occasions he doesn’t have his favorite target, Delanie Walker. The veteran tight end was lost for the season after fracturing his ankle in Week 1 at Miami.
Jacksonville Variables
The good news is T.J. Yeldon can shoulder the load if Fournette is forced to miss another game due to the bad hammy. He’s averaging 4.5 yards per carry this season and 4.1 YPC for his career. A matchup against a Titans rush defense yielding 134 yards on the ground per game is just what the doctor ordered.
After a shaky passing performance against the Giants secondary, Blake Bortles completed 29 of 45 passes against the Patriots with four touchdowns and one interception. Tennessee has allowed a combination of Ryan Tannehill and Deshaun Watson to average 9.0 yards per pass attempt, tied for the fourth-most (Denver).
NEXT LEVEL TRENDS: THE 20/20 CLUB
Over the past five years, the Titans are 8-34 straight up and against the spread when being held under 20 points. On the flip side, the Jaguars are 18-7 straight up and a remarkable 20-5 against the spread when holding their opponent under 20 points during the same time frame.
Through two games, the Titans are averaging – you guessed it – 20 points per contest. The Jaguars held the Giants to 15 and the Patriots to 20 for an average of 17.5 points per game compared to the 16.8 they allowed all of last season.
If history serves, the Titans are in trouble.
JACKSONVILLE, FL FORECAST
Partly cloudy with temperatures approaching 90 degrees and the potential for a passing shower during the game.
MY PICK
With or without Fournette, the Jaguars will survive. They just throttled the Patriots without his services.
For Tennessee, life with Gabbert starting at 100 percent or Mariota at less than 85 percent leaves little to be desired considering how dreadful Derrick Henry has looked through the first two weeks. He’s averaged less than three yards per carry on 28 attempts behind an O-line that needs to get healthy in a hurry.
I’ll lay the points and take the Jaguars at home.
