We went behind enemy lines with the Jacksonville Jaguars website Black & Teal to ask five questions about the Tennessee Titans’ Week 12 opponent.
The Week 12 rematch between the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars is a crucial one, with both teams currently on the outside looking in for the playoffs.
When these two squads met in Week 3, the Jaguars emerged victorious, 20-7. Since then, a lot has changed for both teams.
To prepare for this important game, we went behind enemy lines with the Jaguars website Black & Teal and asked David Levin five questions to find out more about where this team is nine weeks after Jacksonville beat Tennessee.
1. How did the fan base take the news that Nick Foles would return and replace Gardner Minshew? Was there any sense that the players had an issue with the move?
Black & Teal: The players have supported Foles and Minshew. They were excited to see the veteran return to action. Minshew was solid in his eight starts and gave the Jaguars a chance to look toward the playoffs.
The fans are divided on the change. Minshew is a cult-hero with a gun-slinger’s mentality. Foles is the consummate veteran who holds a Super Bowl MVP. Call it a toss up with how the fans have dealt with the change
2. DJ Chark is having an incredible season; is this a fluke or do you see a top-notch receiver in him for years to come?
B&T: Chark is having the season the Jaguars hoped he would have coming out of LSU. His size and speed are hard to defend and he is catching the ball better in his second season. You can make the argument the Jaguars wide receivers have played better than advertised this season as a whole and could add to their numbers with Foles throwing the football on the deep route.
3. A lot has rightfully been made about what the Titans will do with Calais Campbell this week after he totaled three sacks in Week 3, but he has just 2.5 sacks since that game. Was his Week 3 performance an anomaly?
B&T: No. Campbell has been playing at a high level this season, but has also played plenty on the interior of the line to giver Josh Allen more reps at defensive end. Campbell received some mid-season All-Pro consideration by NFL.com. He isn’t sacking the quarterback like he did in Week 3, but he has been a terror inside instead.
4. How have the Jaguars dealt with the loss of Jalen Ramsey?
B&T: Tre Herndon has played better than when he first started the season in Ramsey’s place. I’m not sure you “deal” with a loss like that. The Jaguars like every other team with a huge loss like a generational player, move forward. A.J. Bouye is having a Pro Bowl-type of season. The defense misses its best player, but the loss also unified the locker room.
5. The Jaguars win on Sunday if…
B&T: They stop the run and are able to control the line of scrimmage. The Jaguars offensive line must protect Nick Foles and open holes for the running game. On defense, holding Derrick Henry under 100 yards is a must. Both coordinators must have a better game plan on Sunday.