The Titans returned a Jaguars fumble for a touchdown on the third play of the game and led the rest of the way, winning 37-19 on Sunday and handing Jacksonville its 20th consecutive loss.
The Jaguars became just the second team in the Super Bowl era to lose 20 in a row, joining the 1976-77 Buccaneers, who lost their first 26 games as a franchise. Jacksonville fell to 0-5 this season after losing its final 15 games in 2020.
After the Jaguars appeared to make progress in a close loss to the Bengals last week, Sunday's game began disastrously, as Titans safety Kevin Byard returned a Dan Arnold fumble 30 yards for a touchdown one minute into the game. Tennessee leaned heavily on running back Derrick Henry, who rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns 29 carries.
The Jaguars also had success in the run game, as James Robinson gained 149 yards and a touchdown. Trevor Lawrence completed 23 of 33 passes for 279 yards and a touchdown, and also scored a rushing touchdown for the second consecutive week. He was intercepted on the final play of the game.
This loss came after a week in which Jaguars coach Urban Meyer apologized multiple times after a viral video showed a woman dancing on him in an Ohio bar last week. Jacksonville owner Shad Khan issued a statement Tuesday in which he said Meyer must "regain our trust and respect." Meyer, in his first season as coach, said he didn't consider resigning.
The winless Jaguars face the Dolphins in London next week.
(Photo: Mark Brown / Getty Images)
How did Trevor Lawrence look?
Joe Rexrode, senior writer: Lawrence looks like a rookie quarterback who is really starting to figure it out, finishing 23-for-33 for 273 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for 28 yards and a touchdown, and had a second — which would have made the fourth quarter interesting — taken away by replay review. He said afterward that he's feeling better about going through progressions and anticipating throws, and it shows.
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How vital was this win for Tennessee?
Rexrode: This was an utterly critical win for the Titans, coming off a bad loss to the Jets. Being 2-3 with losses to the Jets and Jags would have been devastating, considering the four-game stretch ahead: Buffalo on Monday Night Football, Kansas City, at Indianapolis, at the Rams.
The Titans still don't look like they're ready for that kind of gauntlet, and the injuries keep piling up. But they get an extra day to recover and figure out a way to beat what might be the best team in the AFC right now.
Are there signs of progress for the Jaguars?
Rexrode: Keeping in mind that the Titans just made the Jets' offense look good a week earlier, the Jaguars do appear to be making offensive progress, beyond Lawrence. Robinson had a huge day and a solid offensive line paved the way for 198 rushing yards. The Jags had 454 total yards.
It will hurt, though, if center Ben Linder, carted off Sunday with a knee injury, is lost for an extended period. Defensively, Jacksonville has a long way to go, though the Jags did work hard against Henry.