OVERVIEW …
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – This was over in a hurry.
The Jaguars' offense struggled mightily during yet another one-sided loss Thursday – and this time, the defense struggled to pretty much the same degree.
Quarterback Blake Bortles threw for just 64 first-half yards – his second consecutive game under 75 yards first-half passing – and the Tennessee Titans turned in a dominant Color Rush performance with a 36-22 victory over the Jaguars at Nissan Stadium Thursday.
The Titans dominated the first half, leading 24-0 with 7:09 remaining in the second quarter. They held a 260-29 total-yardage advantage at that point.
They led 27-0 at halftime with a 354-60 total-yardage edge. The Titans had 20 first downs in the first half to three for the Jaguars.
The Jaguars fell to 2-5 with the loss. The Titans improved to 4-4.
The Jaguars cut into the lead with a 10-yard pass from Bortles to tight end Julius Thomas with 11:05 remaining in the third quarter. Bortles' two-point run made it 27-8.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota threw four yards to wide receiver Rishard Matthews on the ensuing drive to push the Titans' lead to 33-8 with 6:53 remaining in the third quarter. A five-yard touchdown pass from Bortles to wide receiver Allen Hurns with 3:11 remaining and Bortles' seven-yard touchdown to wide receiver Bryan Walters with :01 remaining cut the Titans' lead to the final margin.
Bortles completed 33 of 54 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. The Jaguars didn't score a first-half touchdown for a third consecutive game, and they have trailed at halftime in six of seven games this season.
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota completed 18 of 22 passes for 270 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Titans running back Demarco Murray, who entered the game second in the NFL in rushing, rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.
The Titans took a 3-0 lead with a 32-yard field goal by Ryan Succop with 3:31 remaining in the first quarter. Both teams punted on their first possession.
The Titans then extended the lead to 10-0 when Mariota passed 36 yards to wide receiver Kendall Wright on the first play of the second quarter. The Titans held a 144-19 total-yardage advantage at that point, with the Jaguars having managed a first down on two possessions.
Rookie running back Derrick Henry, the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner for the University of Alabama, scored his first NFL touchdown with 10:36 remaining in the second quarter. That gave the Titans a 17-0 lead and two touchdowns within the first five minutes of the second quarter.
Murray's 14-yard run with the help of a block by Mariota gave the Titans a 24-0 lead with 7:06 remaining in the second quarter. Succop's 22-yard field goal on the final play of the half made it 27-0, Tennessee.
PLAYER OF THE GAME … Allen Hurns, wide receiver.
There was little from which to choose in this category, but the third-year veteran caught seven passes for 98 yards and a five-yard touchdown.
OFFENSIVELY …
The Jaguars finished the game with 370 total yards and 27 first downs after registering 60 yards and three first downs in the first half.
DEFENSIVELY …
The Titans finished with 494 yards and 25 first downs after registering 354 total yards and 20 first downs in the first half. The Titans rushed for 214 yards and had 34:25-25:35 time-of-possession advantage.
SPECIALLY …
Punter Brad Nortman punted six times for 41 yards. Kicker Jason Myers made both of his extra points.
INJURY UPDATES …
Cornerback Aaron Colvin left the game with a calf injury. He had sustained a toe injury against the Raiders last week.
Defensive end Jared Odrick (quad) was deactivated 90 minutes before kickoff. Veteran Tyson Alualu started in place of Odrick.
Other Jaguars inactives Thursday: running back Corey Grant, wide receiver Rashad Greene, quarterback Brandon Allen, tight end Neal Sterling, cornerback Josh Johnson and offensive lineman Bryce Harris. * *
NOTABLE …
*Greene, the Jaguars' punt returner when healthy since the beginning of the 2015 season, was declared inactive Thursday. He had fumbled a punt return that led to a field goal in a loss to the Oakland Raiders last week. He also in that game fielded a punt near the Jaguars' end zone that resulted in poor field position.
The Jaguars punted on their first possession Thursday, meaning they have gone 21 consecutive games without scoring a touchdown on their opening drive. * **
