Jacksonville Sports News*

GAMEDAY: Chiefs stand between Jaguars, .500 first-half

(Sports Network) - It's not a total loss. But it's not far off.

Though the Jacksonville Jaguars at times have resembled the league's worst team through seven games of the 2009 NFL schedule, they nonetheless find themselves just two games shy of the existing wild-card lead in the AFC with half a season left to right the ship.

This week yields a golden opportunity.

Rather than the reigning Indianapolis juggernaut in their own division, or one of the conference's other powerhouses from Foxboro, Denver or Pittsburgh, the Jags are instead faced with a representative clearly bogged down on the other side of the spectrum - the one-win Kansas City Chiefs.

Then again, such a tonic proved useless last week.

Matched up against the previously winless Tennessee Titans and within 60 minutes of bettering the .500 mark, Jacksonville regressed into second-half ugliness on a road trip to Nashville, dropping a 30-13 decision that spoiled a record-setting day by mighty mite running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

The 5-foot-7, 208-pound touchdown machine bowled for a career-best 177 yards and became just the third player in league history to score on runs of 75 or more yards twice in the same game - joining Barry Sanders and Frank Gore in doing so.

Jones-Drew has scored 50 TDs in 53 career games, including nine on the ground in his last five.

And ominously for Chiefs fans, he aims for a third straight game with a score against Kansas City.

The UCLA product's workload was the source of discussion following the Tennessee loss, with coach Jack Del Rio saying that he'll be working with quarterback David Garrard to make sure fewer audibles are used on plays designed for Jones-Drew to get the ball.

"We took that privilege away or that ability away (from Garrard) and said, 'Look, just hand it to him and let him run the ball,'" Del Rio said. "He was getting 22 yards a carry. If we could have gotten him a few more carries, that would have been good for us. I like the times Maurice had the ball in his hands. I think he's an exciting player. We needed to have more times with the ball in our hands."

Meanwhile, the Chiefs are having some running back issues of their own.

Workhorse Larry Johnson will not play this week while serving out the second game of a two-week suspension from coach Todd Haley for conduct detrimental to the team.

According to reports, Johnson called Haley out in a Twitter post before using a pair of gay slurs on his Twitter profile, and, a day later, to a group of reporters.

The penalty is costing Johnson nearly $330,000 in salary.

The Chiefs were on a bye last week after losing, 37-7, against visiting San Diego in Week 7.

The organization is preaching unity in Johnson's absence, with a sign alongside the team's locker room reading: "Losers assemble in small groups and complain about the coaches and other players. Winners assemble as a team and find ways to win."

Historically, Kansas City is 12-8 following bye weeks.

SERIES HISTORY

Jacksonville holds a 5-2 lead in its all-time series with Kansas City, including a 17-7 road win when the teams last met, in 2007. The Chiefs won the previous meeting, claiming a 35-30 home victory to help propel them into the playoffs in 2006. The Jags were 22-16 winners when the clubs last met in Jacksonville, in 2004, and the Chiefs' only win in Jacksonville in their four trips there came in 2001.

Del Rio is 2-1 against the Chiefs, for whom he played in 1987-88, while the Chiefs' Haley will be meeting both Del Rio and Jacksonville for the first time as a head coach.

WHEN THE CHIEFS HAVE THE BALL

It's a homecoming of sorts for Haley, who graduated from the nearby University of North Florida. He again puts the reins in the hands of Matt Cassel, who's 7-3 in 10 career road starts and has completed 30-of-49 passes for two touchdowns and a 90.2 passer rating in two road games this season. With Johnson in exile, he'll turn largely to running back Jamaal Charles, who's averaged five yards per carry over 23 attempts in spot duty this season and returned kicks for a career-best 147 yards last week. Among Cassel's aerial options are wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, who has a TD catch in two of the last three games and caught four passes for 70 yards in his last matchup with the Jaguars. Also, tight end Sean Ryan has already established personal season-bests in receptions (14), yards (135) and touchdowns (2) through seven games.

Defensively, Jacksonville did little to get the team over .500 last week while being gashed for 228 yards on 24 carries by Tennessee back Chris Johnson, who scored a pair of second-half touchdowns on runs of 52 and 89 yards. The Jaguars gave up an obscene 305 yards on the ground and 430 total, swelling their overall averages in those categories to 128.3 and 370.7 per week, respectively. They've been outscored in three of four quarters and by 44 points overall while generating just five sacks and five interceptions in 28 quarters, plus an overtime period. Cornerback Rashean Mathis is the franchise's all-time leader with 27 interceptions and shares the team lead this season with two. That lead is split with rookie corner Derek Cox, who's tied for second among the league's rookies.

WHEN THE JAGUARS HAVE THE BALL

In his last start against Kansas City, Garrard was anything but a liability, completing 20-of-27 passes for 218 yards, a touchdown and a sterling 109.8 passer rating. He has five TDs against three interceptions at home this season and the team is 12-4 when he throws for at least two scores in a game. Also, he's second in the NFL and first in the conference among quarterbacks with 162 rushing yards. The aforementioned Jones-Drew is the primary ground weapon, while veteran wideout Torry Holt has moved within two catches of becoming the 10th player in league history with 900 in a career. Mike Sims-Walker leads the team through seven games with 30 catches for 207 yards and three touchdowns. And speaking of numbers, tight end Mercedes Lewis is a TD away from surpassing a career-best of two that he's established in both 2007 and 2008.

The dissension with Johnson has helped mask issues with the defense, which has allowed 383.1 yards per week and has been particularly vulnerable at the starts of games - being outscored 45-6 in the first quarter over seven outings. Linebacker Tamba Hali has three of the team's nine sacks, while defensive end Wallace Gilberry, an Alabama product, is second on the team with two. Linebacker Demorrio Williams leads the team with 44 tackles - 37 solo - including nine against the Chargers. In the backfield, cornerback Brandon Flowers has two of the unit's three interceptions and needs one more to surpass the career-high he set in 2008.

FANTASY FOCUS

Given the Jaguars' recent issues defensively, Cassel, Bowe and even Charles may get rare nods as starters for owners with other key players on bye weeks. For Jacksonville, Jones-Drew is a no-brainer and Sims-Walker is a strong consideration given KC's habit of surrendering big numbers to wide receivers. Mean time, neither defense is worthy of owning, let alone playing.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Jacksonville is often either tantalizingly close to success or clearly abysmal. A 40-point loss to Seattle and the second-half collapse against the winless Titans are clear illustrations. The Chiefs may be a grade or two down from those foes, however, which provides little excuse for Del Rio - especially at home - to rally his charges for a long overdue dominant 60 minutes.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Jaguars 30, Chiefs 14

NFL: Jags place Starks on IR; get Smith off waivers from Rams

Jacksonville, FL (Sports Network) - The Jacksonville Jaguars placed cornerback Scott Starks on injured reserve and were awarded safety Anthony Smith off waivers from the St. Louis Rams on Saturday.

Starks will now miss the rest of the season as he is suffering from a leg injury. In his fifth year in the league, all with Jacksonville, he has 71 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defensed.

Smith is a four-year veteran in the NFL and over two games with the Rams this season he had four tackles. He spent his first three years with Pittsburgh and over 46 game he totaled 106 tackles, four interceptions and nine passes defensed.

Jaguars look to even record at home against KC

By MIKE BONTS
www.jaxsportsnews.com

The Jaguars can even third record with a home win against West AFC foe Kansas City.
The Jaguars dropped to 3-4 with a 30-13 loss at division rival Tennessee. The game featured an NFL-record four rushing touchdowns of 50-plus yards including scoring runs of 80 and 79 yards by Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

Jones-Drew became only the third player in NFL history with two rushing touchdowns of 75-plus yards in the same game. The teams combined for 522 rushing yards including 217 by the Jaguars. The Jaguars averaged 13.6 yards per rush on 16 carries, the highest average in the NFL since the 1970 merger.

"Ultimately the responsibility to have this football team prepared to play well falls on me," said coach Jack Del Rio. "I have to do a better job. I've got to do a better job with the coaches, I've got to do a better job with the players. I thought we had a pretty solid, in fact not solid, very good week of practice leading up to this game. [Sunday's] effort completely catches me off guard. They didn't do things that we didn't anticipate or prepare for. We just simply didn't execute, tackle, or play very well."

The Jaguars are in the midst of four consecutive games against AFC opponents with a road game against the New York Jets (Nov. 15) and a home game against Buffalo (Nov. 22) coming in the next two weeks. The Jaguars own a 5-2 mark against Kansas City including a 17-7 win in the last meeting on Oct. 17, 2007 at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Jaguars have won five consecutive games against AFC West opponents.
For the second consecutive season, the Jaguars began 0-2 and then won two straight division games. The Jaguars opened the season with losses at Indianapolis and against Arizona before they evened their record with back-to-back wins at Houston and at home against Tennessee.

The Jaguars lost 41-0 at Seattle in week five, the first of two west coast games, with a trip to San Francisco scheduled on Nov. 29. The offense registered 492 yards of offense in a 23-20 overtime win over St. Louis on Oct. 18 thanks to 335 passing yards by quarterback David Garrard.

The Jaguars rank 11th in the NFL in offense (351.7), eighth in rushing (135.6), and 24th in defense (370.7). Jones-Drew leads the NFL with 10 touchdowns.

"Somehow between the time we leave the practice field on Friday afternoon when we feel pretty good about the preparation, to when we show up Sunday for the ball game, somehow we are not bringing the energy, the tempo, the intent that we're showing in practice that makes us all feel good about the preparation," said Del Rio. "We're not consistently showing up with that on Sundays. That is something we have to have to have a chance."

The Chiefs acquired Chris Chambers off waivers after the wide receiver was released by San Diego with the emergence of pass catcher Malcolm Floyd.

The 31-year-old, who was obtained by San Diego from Miami prior to the 2007 trade deadline in exchange for a second-round pick, recorded just nine catches for 122 yards and a touchdown in seven games with San Diego this year.

For his career, the nine-year vet has amassed 6,827 yards and 53 touchdowns on 482 catches in 131 games for the Dolphins and Chargers.

JAGUARS NOTEBOOK: A Jaguars win would improve their record to 4-4, the fifth time in seven seasons under head coach Jack Del Rio the club would be .500 or above after eight games. The Jaguars own a 14-7 mark against AFC West opponents including five consecutive wins. The Jaguars have a winning record against all four teams in the division. Veteran wide receiver Torry Holt needs two receptions to become the 10th player in NFL history to reach 900 career receptions. He would accomplish the feat in his 166th career game, the second fastest in NFL history (Marvin Harrison, 149 games). He needs one reception to extend his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 161, the second longest streak among active players. Holt needs six yards to surpass Steve Largent (13,089) for 11th place in NFL history for most receiving yards. Jones-Drew can record his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game

JAGUARS: Johnson's record game powers Titans to first win

Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Chris Johnson broke loose for a Titans franchise record 228 yards and a pair of long touchdown runs as previously- winless Tennessee took a 30-13 decision over Jacksonville.

Johnson's day eclipsed the previous high for rushing yards in one game (216), last accomplished by Eddie George on August 31, 1997 against Oakland.

In his first start of the year, Vince Young was a serviceable 15-of-18 for 125 yards and a TD for the Titans (1-6), who had endured their worst start to a season since relocating from Houston and their worst season-opening losing string since the 1984 Oilers lost 10 straight and finished 3-13.

Young also rushed for 30 yards on 12 carries and Nate Washington added a touchdown catch for Tennessee, which was coming off its bye week and recovered from a 59-0 shellacking at New England on October 18. With the victory as well as a St. Louis win earlier Sunday, the idle Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain the lone winless team in the NFL.

"It's a beautiful thing, and it speaks volumes to finally put it all together in all three phases," said a relieved Titans head coach Jeff Fisher. "Vince Young is a winner. He's a football player and a family member."

Maurice Jones-Drew erupted for a career-best 177 yards and two scores on eight carries for the Jaguars (3-4), who have dropped two of three. David Garrard was ineffective at 14-of-27 passing for 139 yards and two interceptions in the setback.

"This is a very disappointing effort," said Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio. "The ultimate responsibility to have the team prepared falls on me. This completely catches me off guard."

Jones-Drew broke loose on the first play of the second half, rolling 79 yards to the end zone. The extra point was blocked and the game was tied, 13-13.

However, Johnson showed his breakaway speed on the next series. Two rushes early in the drive netted just two yards, but on a 3rd-and-6 from the Titans' 48, he burst through the middle for a 52-yard score to put the home team back on top.

Rob Bironas provided a 10-point cushion on a 45-yard make to cap Tennessee's next series.

Johnson pushed the advantage to 17 points on the opening play of the fourth quarter, shaking off an early would-be tackler and following blocks 89 yards for a touchdown. Following the run, the second-year back was completely gassed and lay on the turf for several minutes.

Garrard and the Jags were ineffective in the fourth, with one drive interrupted by an interception and their final two series ending with punts. Young closed out the contest by taking a knee on the last two plays.

Bironas capped the first drive of the game, lasting more than seven minutes, with a 48-yard field goal to give the Titans an early lead.

Young connected with Washington on a six-yard TD pass early in the second quarter for a 10-0 advantage, and after an interception in Jags territory, Bironas kicked a 25-yarder.

Jones-Drew brought the Jags back, going 80 yards on the first play of scrimmage after the kickoff and the visitors were within six at halftime.

Game Notes

Tennessee has won five of the last seven meetings...The four rushing TDs of 50-or-more yards was the most in any NFL game since 1950...Billy Cannon also rushed for 216 yards for the Oilers in 1961...Johnson's 89-yard TD run is second in Oilers/Titans franchise lore, next to a 91-yard score by Sid Blanks against the New York Titans on December 13, 1964....Jones-Drew's performance ranks second in Jaguars' history, after Fred Taylor's 183 rushing yards on December 6, 1998 against Detroit. Jones-Drew broke his previous high of 166 yards on December 10, 2006 against Indianapolis.

GAMEDAY: Jags look to extend misery for Titans, Young

(Sports Network) - Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher certainly knows how to stir up controversy among his fan base, and hopes his recent actions can enliven his winless squad.

Fisher sported a Colts Peyton Manning jersey at a charity fundraiser soon after the Titans, who went an NFL-best 13-3 a year ago, suffered an embarrassing 59-0 loss at New England on October 18 to fall to 0-6 for the first time since 1984, when the then-Houston Oilers lost their first 10 games. Fisher said the gesture was intended for fun, but a Titans fan base already predisposed to anger given the team's start weren't doing much laughing about the incident.

The Titans will try to calm fan unrest on Sunday afternoon, when they return from the bye week to host the AFC South-rival Jacksonville Jaguars at LP Field. Tennessee will also be in search of a measure of revenge, since the Jaguars handed Tennessee a 37-17 loss back in Week 4 in northern Florida. That was the first in a stretch of games that has seen Tennessee outscored, 127-26, over their last three outings. The once-dominant defense of a year ago is now last in the league in points allowed (33.0), and 31st in total yards surrendered (405.7). First-year defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil is dealing with a rash of injuries in addition to lackluster performances among his group.

Cecil's defense could get something of a break given the upcoming schedule, as the Titans are slated to play six times at home over the final 10 contests, after competing on the road in four of the season's first six weeks.

Tennessee is mired in a quarterback controversy as well as Week 8 begins. Early last season, veteran Kerry Collins took over the starting job for an ineffective Vince Young, who will get his old job back on Sunday. Fisher named Young the starter after Thursday's practice. Young took over for an impotent Collins during an 0-5 start in 2006, and his only experience this season has come in the last two blowout losses.

Tennessee is one of three remaining winless teams in the league -- St. Louis and Tampa Bay are both 0-7 -- and Fisher needs to do something to stop an eight-game losing streak dating to last season, including a playoff loss to the Ravens.

Jacksonville, meanwhile, has won three of its last four games since opening the 2009 campaign with back-to-back losses. Like the Titans, the Jaguars are also coming off a bye week and headed to the break with a scary 23-20 overtime victory versus the winless Rams on October 18. The Jags had 492 total yards of offense in the nail-biter, with 166 rushing yards and 326 yards through the air. The 492 yards were the fourth-most in Jacksonville history and most since 2000.

The defense has been an issue for head coach Jack Del Rio, whose pass defense is rated 31st in the league, allowing 262.0 yards a game. News didn't get any better on that front during the team's bye week, as top cornerback Rashean Mathis is likely not suitably recovered from a broken left index finger suffered against the Rams. Mathis underwent surgery to repair the damage and is listed as doubtful for Sunday's showdown.

The Jags have been reasonably explosive on the offensive side of the ball most weeks, and running back Maurice Jones-Drew is the catalyst. Jones-Drew recorded 133 yards and three touchdowns against the Rams, and enters Week 8 tied or the NFL lead in touchdowns (8) along with the Vikings' Adrian Peterson. The win over the Rams marked the second time he went over the 100- yard rushing mark this season, having posted 119 yards and three scores in a win at Houston in Week 3.

Jones-Drew has a light schedule ahead of him, as five of the eight games that follow the Titans bout will be played at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium and just two of the opponents sport winning records. If the Jaguars have any interest in making a playoff run, it starts this week against the suddenly- lowly Titans, followed by a bout against one-win Kansas City. This Sunday's game in Tennessee could go a long way in determining whether the Jaguars have enough to be a playoff contender.

SERIES HISTORY

Tennessee leads the all-time regular season series with the Jaguars, 16-13, but as mentioned, was a 37-17 loser when it visited Jacksonville in Week 4. The Titans pulled off a home-and-home sweep of the Jaguars last year, including a 17-10 home victory in Week 1 and a 24-14 triumph at Jacksonville in Week 11. The Jags last won in Tennessee in 2007, and last pulled off a home-and-home sweep of the Titans in 2005.

In addition to the regular season series, the teams have met once in the playoffs, with Tennessee scoring a 33-14 road victory in the 1999 AFC Championship.

Fisher is 17-13 versus Jacksonville all-time, including the aforementioned playoff win. The Jaguars' Del Rio is 6-7 against both Fisher and the Titans in his career.

WHEN THE JAGUARS HAVE THE BALL

While the Titans are struggling at quarterback, Jags signal-caller David Garrard (1,464 yards, 5 TDs, 3 INTs) has been inconsistent as well. Garrard passed for 335 yards in the win over the Rams but had two interceptions, one of which was returned 36 yards for a potentially fatal fourth-quarter touchdown. The East Carolina product has failed to throw a touchdown pass in four of his six starts this season, and last tossed one against the Titans on Oct. 4th. Protection has been an issue, as Garrard has been sacked 14 times this season too. Still, Jacksonville ranks a respectable 14th in NFL passing, averaging 233.3 yards per game, and wideout Mike Sims-Walker (398 yards, 3 TDs) has been a pleasant surprise. Sims-Walker recorded 120 yards on nine catches against the Rams, and has caught at least six passes this season with no less than 81 yards receiving. He leads the Jags with 28 catches, while veteran Torry Holt (407 yards) is ahead in yards. Holt comes off his first 100-yard game as a Jag, but hasn't reached the end zone.

As stated, Cecil's defense has struggled this season after an impressive showing under former coordinator Jim Schwartz in 2008. The pass defense is dead last in the league, surrendering 310.7 yards per game through the air. and has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 73.9 percent of their passes and throw for at least 300 yards five times in six games. It has surrendered 19 touchdown passes in six games this season after allowing just 12 in all of last season. Injuries haven't helped. Cornerback Nick Harper (38 tackles) is out indefinitely with a broken forearm, and fellow CB Cortland Finnegan (17 tackles) is questionable against the Jaguars after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Safeties Chris Hope (40 tackles, INT) and Michael Griffin (29 tackles) are healthy, and Tennessee's best hope to improve the secondary at this stage.

Versatile back Jones-Drew (463 yards, 8 TDs) is five TDs away from matching his career-high set in his rookie campaign of 2006. The fireplug back is coming off a workhorse performance of 133 yards and three TDs on a season-high 33 carries against St. Louis, and will head into the Titans tilt with a well- deserved extra week of rest. The former UCLA star has helped Jacksonville to an 18-4 mark since 2006, when the team records 150 rushing yards or more. He wasn't used that much in the first meeting with Tennessee, recording just six touches for 14 yards and a score. Jones-Drew has posted seven rushing touchdowns in his last four games. Garrard is second on the team in rushing with 140 yards and a score on 26 rushes for the Jaguars, who are 11th in the league in rushing yards per game with 122 per game. The Jags may find trouble running against the Titans, who are ninth in rush defense.

Tennessee's tough run defense has been led by linebacker Keith Bulluck (55 yards, TD) for the better part of this decade, and this year has been no different. Bulluck has recorded double-digits in tackles in two straight and four of his last five games, and will make his 120th straight start this Sunday versus Jacksonville. Bulluck, the franchise's third all-time leading tackler, is coming off a 14-tackle performance against New England. Fellow LBs Stephen Tulloch (57 tackles) and David Thornton (32 tackles) have been solid this season despite the overall struggles on the Titans' defense. Tulloch leads the squad in stops and is playing behind a front line that needs to step it up this week. End Kyle Vanden Bosch (19 tackles) is still searching for his first sack of the season. Defensive tackle Jason Jones (11 tackles, 3 sacks) leads the team in sacks, which is rare from that position, while fellow DT Tony Brown (12 tackles, 2 sacks) is right behind with two. Brown leads the unit with eight QB pressures. In addition to getting to Garrard, the Titans have to make stopping Jones-Drew a top priority.

WHEN THE TITANS HAVE THE BALL

The Titans pass attack that Young will take over on Sunday enters Week 8 ranked 25th in the NFL, and the team is 29th in points scored and 22nd in total yards. With Fisher opting for Young as the starter, the offense will have to adjust to his tendencies. Young has appeared in only two games this season, both in mop-up duty. Nate Washington (150 yards, 3 TDs) leads the team in TD receptions, while rookie Kenny Britt is tops in catches (19) and yards (289). Justin Gage (164 yards, TD) and tight end Alge Crumpler (127 yards) hope to contribute against Jacksonville's 31st-ranked pass defense as well.

The Jaguars are banged up at cornerback, which may give Tennessee life no matters who plays quarterback. As mentioned, Mathis (18 tackles, 2 INTs) is doubtful with a surgically-repaired broken finger, while both cornerbacks Scott Starks (7 tackles) and Brian Witherspoon (2 tackles) have already missed significant time with injuries. Witherspoon was back at practice riding a stationary bike earlier this week. Rookie cornerback Derek Cox (34 tackles, 2 INTs) has played in all six games this season and is third on the team in tackles. Del Rio has two talented safeties in Reggie Nelson (32 tackles) and Gerald Alexander (24 tackles, INT), who combined for 10 tackles against St. Louis.

Titans running back Chris Johnson (506 yards, 2 TDs) is battling through a minor sophomore slump, with the team's frequent large deficits contributing to that situation, though Johnson had his first 100-yard rushing game against the Patriots since a Week 2 setback against Houston. Johnson is currently fifth in the NFL in rushing after he concluded his rookie season in 2008 ranked eighth in the NFL with 1,228 yards. Johnson is fortunate enough to play behind a veteran line that has helped him average 6.3 yards per carry. The Titans are sixth in the NFL in rushing, though the streaky LenDale White (148 yards, TD). has yet to contribute much to that total. White has only 39 carries through the first six games.

The Jaguars are 13th in the NFL against the run this season, allowing 98.8 yards per game, and are sure to get a healthy dose of Tennessee's running back tandem. Jacksonville hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher all season thanks to big tackles John Henderson (13 tackles) and Terrance Knighton (11 tackles) plugging the gaps, while ends Derrick Harvey (17 tackles) and Atiyyah Ellison (8 tackles, sack) are collapsing the ends. The Jaguars are at the bottom of the league in sacks this season (5) and could really use some pressure up front whether Collins or Young calls the plays. Del Rio, a former NFL linebacker, has to be pleased with his trio of young LBs in leading tackler Daryl Smith (38 tackles), Justin Durant (35 tackles) and Clint Ingram (20 tackles, sack). The Jaguars have 10 takeaways in the first six weeks with five interceptions and five fumble recoveries.

FANTASY FOCUS

Despite his inconsistency, Johnson is always a must-start on potential alone. White has been a non-factor and is not worth starting in this matchup. Tennessee's defense is a gamble for this week's matchup, but give it a shot due to improving health and the home crowd in its corner. Britt and Washington are a reach to be used only if you're desperate. Much like Johnson, Titans kicker Rob Bironas should be in the lineup every week.

The Jaguars have two obvious starters for fantasy owners this week in Jones- Drew and Sims-Walker. Whether or not the hyphen has something to do with it, those two have been the MVPs of the Jacksonville offense. Don't use Garrard unless you must because a starter has a bye, but give the Jags' defense a chance this week against a winless team on the road. Unfortunately, Holt has not been relevant to the fantasy world for a few years now.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Tennessee's defense will come alive this week in a showdown with its AFC South rival on Sunday. Reaching the playoffs again is an extreme long shot for the Titans, given that no team in NFL history has recovered from 0-5 to make the postseason, much less 0-6, Despite the record, Johnson and the offensive line have been playing well, a situation that will be more evident than usual on Sunday. The Jaguars, currently third in the division behind Houston and unbeaten Indianapolis, can't win every game riding the short and powerful legs of Jones-Drew, and will need to display more variety in order to complete the sweep of the Jaguars. Jacksonville also has a tough defense, but this time, the Titans' unit will be remembered for theirs.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Titans 20, Jaguars 13