After beating the Arizona Cardinals in overtime, the Jacksonville Jaguars will next travel to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans. They're a 6.5-point favorite for the game and could have a couple of key players back from injury. However, there's one huge variable that they'll need to take into account when facing their division foes.
As December inches closer, temperatures begin to drop, and the elements become more common in football games. And when Jacksonville faces the Titans in Week 13, the weather could have a huge impact on the outcome of the game.
The Jaguars will have to deal with less-than-ideal weather vs. the Titans
NFLWeather predicts that it will be 42 degrees Fahrenheit for the Tennessee game. There will be a 47 percent chance of precipitation, meaning that the likelihood of rain is high. The one silver lining is that the wind probably won't be strong, with expected gusts of 14 MPH.
Knowing that it could rain, the Jaguars may not build their game plan around Trevor Lawrence. He'll still ask him to dial up a couple deep passes through the bout, but they'll most likely make an effort to establish the run. Fortunately, they have the backfield trio of Travis Etienne, Bhayshul Tuten, and LeQuint Allen to get it done.
Etienne just toted the rock 15 times for 86 yards and logged three receptions for 30 yards with a touchdown against the Cardinals. He has 815 yards for the season and is inching closer to the third 1,000-yard campaign of his career.
Although Tuten racked up just 17 yards on seven carries in Week 12, he tallied a season-best 74 yards on 15 rushes the prior game. Don't be surprised if he and Etienne combine for 30-35 carries against Tennessee.
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The Jaguars are aware the weather could be a factor for the Titans ge
Head coach Liam Coen met with the local media ahead of the Titans game and acknowledged that the weather could be a factor, pointing out that the team will need to be prepared.
"November football, man. It's November football in the NFL. You got to deal with the elements and going and playing a little colder weather," Coen told reporters (11:55 mark). "I mean, that's football, and so I grew up in that, and this is different for me. Seeing palm trees out here is a little new in November, and heading into December, and you're in Thanksgiving week, and it's like, Wait, where's the tree, color change, and all that."
Coen continued, "But it'll be a great op. I mean, this is, you know what you why you play. Why are you prepared to have games like this that, you know, it's, it's kind of the essence of football."
Ultimately, the Jaguars need to take care of business in Week 13, whether it rains or not. If they do, their odds of making the playoffs and seizing the AFC South will increase considerably.