By The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to make it three in a row with a win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 10, and continue the momentum that they hope will take them to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.
At 6-2, Jacksonville currently sits comfortably atop the AFC South. The Jaguars had consecutive blowout victories over the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, while Tennessee enters the matchup at 1-7, despite showing improvement in recent weeks.
Sunday's game comes after a busy trade deadline that saw both franchises make significant roster changes. Jacksonville added three defensive players, while Tennessee parted ways with two of its biggest defensive stars. Those changes, along with several developing injury situations, could create some interesting battles on the field.
Here are five key matchups to watch when the Jaguars face the Titans in Week 10.
Walker Little vs. Jacob Martin
One of Sunday's most important individual battles could be Jaguars left tackle Walker Little against Titans defensive end Jacob Martin. Martin is Tennessee's leading pass rusher, recording 6.5 sacks through eight games. He was particularly disruptive in the Titans' most game against the Cincinnati Bengals, recording a career-high three sacks.
With defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons now in Chicago following a trade, Tennessee will be relying even more heavily on Martin to generate pressure.
Fortunately for Jacksonville, Little has been playing some of his best football. Little has started the Jaguars' last three games at left tackle following Anton Harrison's season-ending injury. Against Baltimore, he did not surrender a single pressure or sack. Head coach Liam Coen praised Little's development Wednesday, emphasizing his consistency and confidence since returning to the starting lineup.
Protecting Trevor Lawrence will be crucial against a Titans defense that still has disruptive players, despite its recent roster changes. If Little can continue his strong play against Martin, Lawrence should have opportunities to take advantage of Tennessee's depleted secondary.
Trevor Lawrence vs. Tennessee's secondary
Lawrence enters Sunday's game playing some of the best football of his career. Through eight games, he has thrown for 1,932 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. His 111.7 passer rating ranks second in the NFL. And he'll face a Titans secondary that recently lost one of its most productive defenders.
Tennessee traded safety Amani Hooker to the Buffalo Bills earlier this week. Hooker had recorded five interceptions through eight games, so this is a significant loss for a defense already struggling to contain opposing offenses. The Titans still have capable defenders, including cornerback Alontae Taylor and safety Kevin Winston Jr., but replacing Hooker's production and experience won't be easy.
If Jacksonville can establish an effective passing attack early, the Jaguars could put considerable pressure on Tennessee's defense.
Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez vs. Tennessee's defensive front
Bhayshul Tuten leads Jacksonville with 521 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Chris Rodriguez Jr. has provided another physical option in short-yardage situations. Both could benefit from Tennessee's decision to trade Simmons, who had been one of the NFL's most disruptive interior defensive linemen.
Without Simmons, the Titans will need other defensive linemen to step up against Jacksonville's ground game. Tennessee also has questions at linebacker, as both Cody Barton and rookie Anthony Hill Jr. missed Wednesday's practice.
However, Jacksonville has injury concerns of its own. Tuten missed Wednesday's practice with ankle and foot injuries, while Rodriguez was limited by a hand injury. Offensive linemen Ezra Cleveland and Robert Hainsey were also limited. Their availability could significantly influence Jacksonville's offensive approach.
Establishing the run would help the Jaguars control possession, create manageable third-down situations, and open additional opportunities for Lawrence through play-action.
Jordan Davis and DaVon Godchaux vs. Tony Pollard
If they play, Sunday's game could provide the first meaningful test for two of Jacksonville's newest additions. The Jaguars traded for defensive tackles Jordan Davis and DaVon Godchaux earlier this week after losing DaVon Hamilton to a season-ending injury. Both are expected to reinforce a defense that already ranks first in the NFL against the run.
Their arrival comes just in time for a matchup against a Tennessee rushing attack led by Tony Pollard. Pollard has rushed for 595 yards and six touchdowns this season, and enters Sunday's game following consecutive 100-yard performances. Against Cincinnati, he racked up 117 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries.
Tennessee's offensive line could also be dealing with a significant injury. Starting guard Peter Skoronski missed Wednesday's practice with a hamstring issue, although right tackle JC Latham participated fully despite a finger injury.
If Davis and Godchaux can help Jacksonville control the interior, the Jaguars could force Tennessee to rely more heavily on its passing attack. And that could create opportunities for the next matchup.
Cam Ward vs. Jessie Bates and Jacksonville's secondary
Another new addition is one to keep an eye on. The Jaguars traded for safety Jessie Bates from the Atlanta Falcons, adding an experienced ballhawk to a defense that has already recorded 15 takeaways this season.
Bates has 28 interceptions, 74 passes defended, and 14 forced fumbles throughout his NFL career. In nine games with Atlanta this season, he recorded 60 tackles, one interception and three forced fumbles. His arrival could be particularly important for a Jacksonville defense that ranks second in points allowed but has been considerably less effective against the pass.
Bates will face Titans quarterback Cam Ward, who is coming off one of the strongest performances of his young career. Ward threw for a career-high 304 yards and two touchdowns against Cincinnati, showing encouraging signs of development despite Tennessee's 1-7 record. But Ward has also struggled with consistency, throwing six touchdowns and five interceptions through eight games.
That's where Bates' experience and ability to recognize developing plays could become valuable.
Jacksonville's pass rush, led by Josh Hines-Allen, will look to disrupt Ward's timing and force hurried decisions. Bates, meanwhile — if he plays — could provide another dangerous presence in the secondary, particularly if Ward attempts to challenge Jacksonville downfield.
The biggest question may be how quickly Bates can adjust to defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's system after joining the team earlier this week.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 5 key matchups to watch in Jaguars vs. Titans in Week 10
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/5-key-matchups-watch-jaguars-162306260.html
