Jaguars defense looks to rebound against the Titans on Sunday

Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash and his players must do a better job on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

The Jacksonville Jaguars bring the NFL’s 29th ranked run defense to Tennessee on Sunday for an AFC South showdown with the Tennessee Titans. It’s the kind of situation this faced in Week 3 of the season. Trying to stop Titans running back Derrick Henry is no easy task.

But if the Jaguars are going to win on the road and break a two-game losing streak, the front seven will have to make the needed corrections to keep Henry from running over them.

"“We need to go out and play like we’re capable,” Todd Wash, Jacksonville’s defensive coordinator, said when he talked to the media on Thursday afternoon. “If that happens, I like our chances.”"

In the previous contest, which was a Thursday night affair in Jacksonville, the Jaguars held Henry to 44 yards on 17 carries. But this is a different team than the one the Titans faced. Injuries have once again reared their ugly heads, affecting the starting lineup and causing concern for the coaching staff and fans as Marcell Dareus’ absence has been a huge factor in how opponents have run through this unit.

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The team’s last two games, against Houston and Indianapolis, were a prime example as they ran for 216 and 264 yards. You cannot win football games when your opponent’s running game is controlling the clock. Wash and his staff will need to make the necessary changes to make that happen.

"“Wash on Thursday confirmed what Head Coach Doug Marrone said early in the week – that rookie weak-side linebacker Quincy Williams, a starter early in the season before being replaced by veteran Najee Goode – will have a more expanded role moving forward.” John Oehser of Jaguars.com wrote."

Williams had one of the best games of his career against Tennessee in the first meeting. Injuries and inconsistency have played a role in his growth this season.

The team will also count on Myles Jack to play better in the middle of the defense. The third-year player who signed a contract extension has been criticized for not playing consistently this year. There have been plenty of stories and critics this season calling for Wash to move Jack back to outside linebacker, his more natural position.

"“He’s our Mike linebacker,” Wash said."

This is a game the Jaguars must win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. While the offense has struggled to put points on the board the past two games, it is the defense that must set the tone for Sunday afternoon.

The Jaguars hope to win in Nashville for the first time since 2013. A win on Sunday would give the team the first sweep of their division rival since 2005. It would also be the third time in the team’s history they won both regular-season games against the Titans.