Earlier this month, Forbes reported that Thursday Night Football ratings were dropping at an alarming rate. With Jacksonville vs. Tennessee slated as this Thursday’s matchup, those numbers make a whole lot of sense.
Jacksonville, currently at the bottom of the AFC South with a record of 2-4, heads to Nashville to face a divisional foe in the Titans. Quarterback Blake Bortles should hope for a case of deja vu against Tennessee: In his last game against the Titans, he threw for five touchdowns and 322 yards.
Jacksonville defensive end Yannick Ngakoue looks to add Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota to his list of victims. The Jaguars rookie is tied for the league lead in sacks by first-year players with four.
The Titans’ offense is benefiting greatly from DeMarco Murray’s resurgent year. The former Philadelphia Eagle has 603 yards and five touchdowns in his last five games. Quarterback Marcus Mariota had the Jags' number last time the two teams met, rushing for 112 yards and throwing for three touchdowns. Brian Orakpo leads the Tennessee defense, with the linebacker ranking third in the NFL with seven sacks.
Gus Bradley remains on the hot seat for the Jaguars, in possession of an atrocious 14-40 record as the team’s head coach. Historically, the Titans have bragging rights over the Jaguars, holding a 23-19 series lead.
Both teams will be decked out in their respective Color Rush uniforms. Sounding off on Jacksonville’s "mustard yellow" jerseys, Bortles recently described the Jaguars alternates as being "ugly as hell."
Let’s just hope that’s not how we end up characterizing the game.
How to Watch
When: 8:25 p.m. ET
Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.
TV: NFL Network
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
Online: Sunday Ticket