Football

Clash of the Titans, and Jaguars, hardly figures to move the needle

By Antonio Nickerson

Special to the Star-Telegram
Tennessee has lost three of four home games this season but the combination of quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, and running back DeMarco Murray gives the Titans hope for a brighter future. Tennessee hosts AFC South rival Jacksonville at 7:25 p.m. Thursday on NFL Network.
Tennessee has lost three of four home games this season but the combination of quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, and running back DeMarco Murray gives the Titans hope for a brighter future. Tennessee hosts AFC South rival Jacksonville at 7:25 p.m. Thursday on NFL Network. Joel Auerbach AP

Jaguars (2-4) at Titans (3-4)

7:25 p.m. Thursday, NFL Network

Line: Titans by 3 1/2

NFL viewership is down this season due to a weak slate of prime-time games, among other factors. The viewing experience gets no better tonight. Jacksonville and Tennessee occupy the bottom two spots in the AFC South and neither has made the playoffs over the past seven seasons. Last week, the Titans were on the verge of a third consecutive win before a late Indianapolis rally handed Tennessee it’s second division loss. Despite the misfortune, an offensive identity took shape, led by the solid running of DeMarco Murray, who averages 90.4 yards rushing a game. Jags quarterback Blake Bortles has 11 turnovers (nine interceptions, two fumbles), putting a strain on a defense that gives up only 325.2 yards a game but 26.7 points. The Titans boast the 10th-ranked defense (338 yards per game) and allow 23 points.

This story was originally published October 26, 2016 at 5:13 PM with the headline "Clash of the Titans, and Jaguars, hardly figures to move the needle."

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