jaguars.com Senior Editor Vic Ketchman followed the action live as the Jaguars fell to the Titans 24-14. Here's what he wrote.
Pregame - 1:51PM
Hi and welcome to the press box at "The Jack" for today's game between the Jaguars and the undefeated Titans. The weather is absolutely gorgeous; sunny and cool. You can feel football in the air for a game I believe will define the Jaguars' season. Welcome aboard.
Pregame - 2:19PM
I'm watching the Giants dominate the Ravens. I think I need to give them even greater consideration for the number one spot in my all-important power rankings.
Pregame - 2:47PM
The official lineup card for today's game shows that Paul Spicer is out of the starting lineup and will be replaced at right defensive end by Reggie Hayward. Derrick Harvey will replace Hayward at left defensive end in the starting lineup.
Pregame - 2:58PM
Spicer isn't the only player who's been benched. Reggie Williams has been replaced in the starting lineup at wide receiver by Mike Walker. Messages are clearly being sent. The coach expects a higher level of performance.
Pregame - 2:59PM
The Jaguars inactives are: Matt Jones, William James, Chauncey Washington, Thomas Williams, Drew Miller, Milford Brown, Troy Williamson and John Henderson.
Pregame - 3:02PM
Titans inactives are: Chris Simms (third QB), Chris Davis, Justin McCareins, Nick Harper, Chris Henry, Mike Otto, Jason Jones and Kyle Vanden Bosch.
Pregame - 3:03PM
Jerry Porter is the starter at wide receiver in place of Matt Jones, Tony McDaniel starts at defensive tackle in place of John Henderson, Daryl Smith starts at middle linebacker in place of Mike Peterson and Clint Ingram replaces Smith at outside linebacker.
Pregame - 3:24PM
I'm heading to the radio booth for the "Jaguars This Week Extra" segment of the pregame show. I'll be back for the coin toss. It's already been a busy pregame.
Pregame - 4:14PM
The Jaguars have won the coin toss and have deferred their choice to the second half. The Titans have elected to receive the opening kickoff.
Pregame - 4:14PM
The temperature is 60 degrees and the wind is 10 mph out of the west.
14:55 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 0, JAX: 0
The Titans start from their 20-yard line and Kerry Collins hits a bomb on the first play. It was to Justin Gage for 47 yards.
14:55 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 0, JAX: 0
The Jags were in press coverage and Gage just drifted behind it.
13:45 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 0, JAX: 0
Reggie Hayward just decleated Chris Johnson for a five-yard loss.
13:03 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 0, JAX: 0
Collins overthrows Gage and Reggie Nelson intercepts at the Jaguars two-yard line. It was an effective punt because I don't think the Titans would've attempted a field goal on fourth down.
11:37 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 0, JAX: 0
David Garrard throws to Jerry Porter for a first down on third down. The ball is on the Jaguars 25. He had time to throw.
09:50 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 0, JAX: 0
Garrard had to recover his fumble after being sacked by Albert Haynesworth. The Jags have to punt.
09:03 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 0, JAX: 0
The Titans have the ball at their 29-yard line. I don't like what I saw up front in that first possession.
09:03 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 0, JAX: 0
Collins swings the ball to Johnson for 15 yards and a first down.
09:03 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 0, JAX: 0
Collins to Bo Scaife for 20 yards. Collins looks sharp.
07:45 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 0, JAX: 0
The Titans are on the move; nice mix of run and pass. The ball is on the Jaguars 27.
07:24 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 0, JAX: 0
Johnson blows up the middle for seven yards and a first down at the 20.
06:10 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 0, JAX: 0
The Titans will have to kick. It's going to be a 32-yard field goal attempt by Rob Bironas.
05:27 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 0
It's good. The Jags are not winning up front. That has to change for the Jags to have any chance of winning this game.
02:58 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 0
I don't know if that's a drop by Porter or not, but it resulted in a Jaguars punt.
01:44 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 0
Dropped by Lavelle Hawkins on third and four. He had lots of room to run. The Titans' receivers are very ordinary.
01:31 left in 1st Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 0
Garrard scrambles. It's third and three.
15:00 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 0
We're at the end of the first quarter. The Jags are facing a third and three.
15:00 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 0
Slant to Porter for a first down. Garrard throws that pass as well as anybody.
14:17 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 0
Slant pass to Maurice Jones-Drew gains a first down at the Titans 48. The Jags are nibbling but they can't get the running game going.
13:44 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 0
They're they go. Fred Taylor bursts off the right side for a gain of 22 to the Titans 26. That's what the Jags needed.
13:44 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 0
The Jags are getting some push up front. They are moving the line of scrimmage in this drive.
12:14 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 0
Big hole over the right side. Jones-Drew plows ahead for a first down at the 11. The gain was nine yards.
12:14 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 0
Taylor ran hard on that one. He knocked a guy back to the six.
11:30 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 0
It's third and five at the six. This is the Jags' first big play of the game. Here goes.
10:38 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 0
Run? It didn't work but Tony Brown is called for holding. First down at the three. Wow! That is a brutal penalty for the Titans, after stopping the Jags on third down.
10:11 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 6
Touchdown! Jones-Drew up the middle. The offensive line did a nice job in that series. They were the difference.
10:11 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
Uche Nwaneri got a demonstration penalty that'll be assessed on the kickoff. I guess you have to have a celebration.
10:11 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
The penalty hurt. Viva la celebration, huh? The Titans will start at the Jaguars 49. I can't tell you how that would anger me if I was a coach.
10:03 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
Tennessee is really conservative.
08:56 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
They have to punt. They are in classic run two, pass one mode.
08:40 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
The Titans aren't a team you fear. They are superbly coached and they play hard but I don't see the wow! They are a team I would want to face in the postseason.
08:40 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
The Titans are selling out now to stop the run. They could be vulnerable deep.
08:40 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
Garrard to Dennis Northcutt for a gain of 16 yards. The Titans look tentative. I don't see confidence.
07:05 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
The drive stalls. Garrard throws incomplete into the face of a corner blitz. That has to be his responsibility to hit the hot receiver.
06:49 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
Long pass incomplete. The Titans lack speed at wide receiver.
05:38 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
Three and out. The Titans are really off their game on offense right now. They can't run and they can't pass and that's a bad combination.
05:21 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
This is obviously going to be a low-scoring, field-position game. The important thing is to avoid a turnover.
04:36 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
Garrard just pulled away from a guy. You had to see it to believe it. He scrambled for a first down. Garrard may be the most physically powerful quarterback in the league.
04:07 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
Holding on Dennis Norman. That one hurts because the Jags might've had the first down. It's going to be second and 17 at the Jags 30.
03:24 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
Taylor bounces outside for a nice gain. It's third and six.
02:27 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
That was close. Mike Walker let a ball go through his hands and it was nearly intercepted and returned for a touchdown. The Jags got real lucky there. The punt is fair caught at the Titans 19.
01:25 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
Three and out. The Titans are going nowhere. There's 1:19 to play; time for the Jags to mount a drive.
01:19 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
This is a 9-0 team? Gimme a break.
01:06 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
Brian Witherspoon makes a big return to the Titans 37. Reynaldo Hill is down. He got wacked by somebody. I don't know who it was.
01:06 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
Brian Iwuh got him.
00:50 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
Garrard to Northcutt for a first down at the 25. Time out, Jags, with :50 to play. The Jags have one time out remaining.
00:50 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
Garrard to Marcedes Lewis. He juked around to the five. Then Garrard spiked the ball.
00:25 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 7
Tony Brown is having a terrible day. He's been penalized for everything.
00:14 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 13
Touchdown! Jones-Drew up the middle for one yard.
00:14 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 13
The Titans have lost their poise. That's not like a Jeff Fisher team.
00:14 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 14
Now we're going to see if the Titans have the offensive firepower to come from behind.
00:14 left in 2nd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 14
Tony Brown is sitting on the bench laughing. He was just called for offside and roughing the passer and he's laughing? What's so funny?
Halftime
Garrard is decidedly outplaying Collins. That's one of the keys to the Jaguars' lead. Neither quarterback has been stellar, but Garrard has been more efficient.
14:11 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 14
The second half has started and the Jaguars have the ball at their 30. The Jaguars appear to be the team with more energy, but the game didn't start that way.
12:47 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 14
The Titans will start with good field position after a weak punt. The ball is at the Titans 45-yard line.
12:05 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 3, JAX: 14
The Titans are running the ball better in this drive. They're down to the Jaguars 28.
09:12 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 9, JAX: 14
Touchdown! Collins hits Brandon Jones over the middle for a touchdown. Jones is also flagged for a post-play demonstration. Referee Walt Coleman is definitely sensitive to celebrations.
09:12 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 10, JAX: 14
That pass was too easy. I don't know who was supposed to be in the middle but he wasn't there. It was pitch and catch.
09:12 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 10, JAX: 14
Sometimes Witherspoon doesn't run hard. This was one of those times. The Jags only get the kickoff back to their 28. That's not good enough, considering the 15-yard penalty.
09:12 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 10, JAX: 14
Whoa! That was nearly pick six.
09:05 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 10, JAX: 14
The Jags need to run the ball now. It's never been more important.
08:22 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 10, JAX: 14
Garrard nearly intercepted again. He got a heavy rush on third and seven. That was a weak series.
08:09 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 10, JAX: 14
There have been 14 accepted penalties in this game. I think Coleman's going to penalize me next. The Titans have it at their 37 after another weak punt.
08:09 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 10, JAX: 14
The Titans offensive line is punching huge holes in the Jaguars front.
07:14 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 16, JAX: 14
Touchdown! Gage beat Drayton Florence down the sideline and then Gage dragged Reggie Nelson 10-15 yards and into the end zone. That's horrible.
07:14 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
That was the same play the Titans used to open the game. I can't explain what Florence was doing and Nelson has got to come over stronger than that. This is an inexplicable collapse.
07:14 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Witherspoon just pulled a major goof. The kickoff was going out of bounds at the three and he hit it, by mistake I'm guessing, with his foot out of bounds.
05:53 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Jones-Drew runs for a first down. That's big. The Jags are out of the wrong red zone.
05:06 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Garrard to Walker on the slllllant.
03:37 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
The Jags have to punt. It's caught at the Titans 25. If I was Jack Del Rio I'd be angry at my defense for taking a 14-3 halftime lead and losing it within 10 minutes of the second half.
03:09 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
The Titans are throwing left a lot. They're going away from Rashean Mathis.
02:34 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Mike Peterson entered the game in place of Justin Durant in this series. He's made a tackle.
01:12 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Durant stops the third-and-three pass to Johnson. That's a huge play.
00:24 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
The Jags have it at their 19. I think the Jags read my 10 things, which alerted the Jags to the Titans' propensity to screen. I'm just kidding, of course.
00:24 left in 3rd Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
That's the end of the third quarter.
14:20 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Three and out; the third-down pass was knocked down.
14:07 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
The Titans have the ball at their 41. The Jaguars must get a stop here. The game is in the defense's hands. The Titans want to run the ball.
14:07 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Nice pass-defensed by Daryl Smith; second and 10.
14:02 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
I'm stunned that they threw on first down; back to the run on second down. It's third and four.
14:02 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Collins is sacked by Derek Landri. The Titans are one of nine on third down.
12:45 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
The punt goes into the end zone. Now the game is in the hands of the offense.
11:32 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
On third and one Jones-Drew is stopped for no gain. It's punt time, again.
10:46 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
The Titans have it at their 23 with 10:46 to play. It's back in the hands of the defense.
10:46 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
The Jags are loaded up against the run. Beware the deep ball.
10:12 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Three and out; the plot thickens.
09:27 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
The Jags start at their 24 with 9:19 to play.
08:41 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Three and out; the plot thins.
08:20 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Adam Podlesh has set a Jaguars record with 10 punts.
08:20 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
The Titans keep running and going nowhere. They haven't even rushed for 100 yards. Their running game has gone dead the past two weeks.
08:10 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Hey, Titans fans, this isn't going to work in the playoffs. You can't be afraid to throw the ball.
07:35 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Three and out; what an offense. They throw more screens than Steve Spurrier.
06:45 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
The Jags start at their 19 with 6:45 to play.
06:45 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Garrard to Richard Angulo; second and one. Get the first down now.
06:10 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
Intercepted; Garrard was hit as he threw. He wanted to go deep for Northcutt. Chris Carr caught the pop up at the Titans 49.
05:15 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 17, JAX: 14
The Titans have rushed for a first down. They'll close it out if the Jags don't buck up.
03:57 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 23, JAX: 14
Touchdown! Collins to Gage. He caught it at the two.
03:57 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 24, JAX: 14
This time Gage beat Brian Williams and Nelson was late coming over. Williams bit on a fake to the inside. I give the Titans credit. They saw something they thought they could exploit and they did it over and over.
03:23 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 24, JAX: 14
The Jags have a first down at the Titans 42 with 3:20 to play.
03:23 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 24, JAX: 14
Sack; the Titans poured in on Garrard.
03:05 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 24, JAX: 14
Sacked again. It's fourth down. This is it.
02:20 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 24, JAX: 14
The Titans came back. They are to be commended. They were down by 11 at halftime and then came out and dominated. They deserve the win.
02:00 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 24, JAX: 14
We're at the two-minute warning. The Titans have the ball and are running out the clock.
01:55 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 24, JAX: 14
It's third and five.
01:55 left in 4th Qtr -- TEN: 24, JAX: 14
First down; that's it, folks. Thanks for joining me today.
