Three Bold Predictions: The Jaguars host the Titans

The game between the Jaguars and Titans could prove to be as exciting as any game Jacksonville plays this season.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash knows what is at stake this week. A Thursday night matchup with the Tennessee Titans, a potential two-game deficit in the AFC South and plenty of fodder on social media and the airwaves about what will happen with Jalen Ramsey.

It’s as much a soap opera here in Jacksonville as it is a weeknight of football. Wash and his defense will be tasked with stopping the Titans running game and giving the Jaguars offense better field position than last week.

"“Derrick Henry is something to deal with. He’s a big, big man. We have to have a tackling plan. That was a lot of our conversation today and we all know about the 99-yard run and the missed tackles and that play. What they do is they get him on space,” Wash said when he talked with the media on Tuesday.“They get his big body on some of our smaller guys, corners and safeties and stuff like that. We have to do what we can scheme-wise to try and keep him between the tackles. They do a nice job in the running game and it sets up all the play action for [Marcus] Mariota.“"

More from Jacksonville Jaguars News

• Jacksonville Jaguars should welcome Derrick Henry into the kingdom
• Jaguars Rumors: Trent Baalke seems to be getting respect now
• Jaguars News: This division rival might be making a big move
• Former Jacksonville Jaguars S Johnathan Cyprien: “New Profession, Same Standards”
• Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram officially gets the franchise tag: 3 takeaways

In order for the Jaguars to contend with Henry and the Titans offense, a lot of responsibility will be placed on the linebackers and their ability to stop the run and cover the tight end over the middle. It should make for an entertaining night.

We will reveal our predictions for the game tonight later in the day, but for now, the focus is on thinking outside the box. A lot could happen tonight in this storied rivalry, one that has been dominated by the Titans of late. Here are three bold predictions for the game.

It’s Jalen Ramsey’s Night – Last week, Ramsey had a sure touchdown off an interception if he had just secured the football. This week, he takes over the game and controls the Jaguars secondary.
With all we have witnessed this week with Ramsey and his demand to be traded, the one thing we have not written is Ramsey’s desire to play the best football he can. That means this is another football game – just like the others, he has played in a black and teal uniform.

It also means the former first-round pick has a chance to make big plays that help his team win. Two interceptions and possibly taking one back to the house could make for another interesting week after the game with Ramsey and the Jaguars.

As the football turns.

Gardner Minshew 300 yards passing – I do not expect the Jaguars to run the football as much in this game, given the lack of productivity from Leonard Fournette last week in Houston. What could happen is fans see the continues maturity of Gardner Minshew as a passer, not a scrambler.

The rookie led the Jaguars in rushing yards last week – which is something the coaching staff would like to avoid. Jacksonville needs to challenge the Titans secondary to open up the running game. That means more opportunities to throw the football. DJ Chark and Chris Conley have already looked solid this season. Will the team’s offensive coordinator take advantage of mismatches downfield?

Minshew lights up the night with 350 yards and three touchdowns in a blowout victory.

10 Sacks – Want to see the fans at the stadium in a frenzy? Brining back SACKSONVILLE would do that.
The pass rush got better last week in Houston, sacking Deshaun Watson four times. If Josh Allen and Yannick Ngakoue can continue to apply pressure on Mariota, it will be a long night for the Texans on the St. Johns River.

If Ngakoue is completely healthy from a hamstring issue and Allen continues to get to the quarterback with his speed and size, the both of them will have four sacks apiece.

Also, look for the Jaguars to use Calais Campbell as a situational pass rusher and potentially move him back inside this week to help with the run defense. This team still has nightmares of Henry trucking them last season.