David Garrard proved today that he’s not ready to be a full-time starting NFL QB.  Garrard completed 22 of 37 passes for 233 yards with 1 TD and 3 INTs.  He also carried the ball 6 times for 43 yards (7.2 ypc).  Garrard allowed 3 TDs all by himself.  He lost a fumble that was returned 92 yards for a TD and he had two of his INTs returned for TDs.  Maurice Drew was real busy as he carried the ball 25 times for 98 yards (3.9 ypc) and a TD.  He also caught 3 passes for 47 yards.  Fred Taylor left the game in the first quarter after he carried the ball 2 times for 37 yards.  LeBrandon Toefield carried the ball 6 times for 25 yards.  Reggie Williams led the receiving corps with 4 catches for 88 yards.  George Wrighster caught 5 passes for 27 yards.  Matt Jones added 3 catches for 12 yards.

The defense played great for the 15:38 that the Titans had the ball.  The Titans ran the ball 16 times for 41 yards (2.6 ypc).  The Titans only completed 8 of 15 passes for 57 net yards thru the air.

The Jags fell to 8-6 on the season with this loss.  It’s unbelievable that the Jags could lose a game that they possessed the ball for 44:22 of the game.  They out-yarded the Titans 396-98 and lost the game!  This game could cost them the playoffs.

This should be a very interesting football game.  The Jaguars have won their last two games including last week’s total domination of the Indianapolis Colts 44-17!  The Tennessee Titans are on fire as they’ve won 4 in a row including last week’s 26-20 OT victory over the Houston Texans.

The Jaguars will run the ball against the Titans just like the first time they played them.  The Jaguars ran for 375 yards last week against the Colts and the Titans have allowed 140.9 yards rushing per game and 4.5 yards per carry so far this season.  Look for Fred Taylor (1,083 yards rushing) if healthy, and Maurice Drew (666 yards rushing, 6.1 ypc) to definately get their yards.  David Garrard will also take off and get some rushing yards against the Titans.  Don’t look for the Jags to throw the ball much, unless the Titans somehow step up and stop their running game, which isn’t likely.

The Titans, who are averaging 140.2 yards rushing per game will test the Jags tough run defense that is only allowing 87.1 yards rushing and 3.4 yards per carry.  Still, if Travis Henry (937 yards rushing) is healthy enough to play, he should get his yards.  If he can’t play, Chris Brown and LenDale White will split the carries.  Vince Young (458 yards rushing, 6.6 ypc) will also get some yards running the football.  Vince Young is improving as a passer, but he still better not challenge Rashean Mathis who has 7 interceptions this season.

The Jaguars punished the Titans 37-7 in the first meeting between these teams, but this could be a little different.  The Jags are only 2-4 on the road.  They punished the Colts at home, but lost to them on the road.  The Titans are on a magical roll and they also beat the Colts at home.  For some reason, and it’s not logic, I think the Titans are going to win this game at home.

Rashean Mathis deserves to be a Pro Bowler this season.  Teams have been paying for taking him on as he has 52 tackles and 7 interceptions.  Mathis has returned those interceptions 146 yards, so he’s gifted at running with the ball too.  He now has 19 interceptions in his career and he’s in his 4th season.

The Jaguars punished the Colts for showing up at their stadium today.  It was the Maurice Drew show in Jacksonville today.  Drew carried the ball 15 times for 166 yards (11.1 ypc) and 2 TDs.  Drew also caught 1 pass for 15 yards.  Drew also returned 2 kick-offs for 109 yards, including the opening kick-off of the second half that he returned 93 yards for a TD.  He also returned a punt for 13 yards.  Fred Taylor carried the ball 9 times for 131 yards (14.6 ypc) and a TD, but he left the game with an injury.  Alvin Pearman even got to play and carried the ball 13 times for 71 yards (5.5 ypc) and a TD.  David Garrard didn’t have to throw much in this football game as he completed 8 of 14 passes for 79 yards and an INT.  Reggie Williams led the WRs with 3 catches for 16 yards.

Linebacker Daryl Smith led an inspired effort by the defense.  He had 7 tackles and a sack.  The Jags stuffed the Colts running game, holding them to 34 yards on 20 carries (1.7 ypc).  The Colts completed 25 of 50 passes for 305 net yards passing.

The Jaguars improved to 8-5 on the season and have the look of a playoff team.

Things that seem too good to be true generally are.  Mercedes Lewis looked like the perfect fit in the Jags offense, a big, fast tight end.  Lewis has played in 11 games (2 starts) and has caught 7 passes for 67 yards (9.6 avg) and a TD.  It’s too early to say that Lewis is a bust, but he couldn’t even beat out George Wrighster for the starting job and that speaks volumes about Lewis.