What a Rush.
The Titans turned in a dominating performance on Thursday Night Football, beating the Jaguars 36-22 in an impressive all-around effort at Nissan Stadium. Decked out on their light blue Color Rush uniforms, the Titans turned the Jaguars black and blue before a national television audience.
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was sharp. He completed 18-of-22 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns, with a passer rating of 148.1, before being relieved by back-up Matt Cassel late in the contest.
Running back DeMarco Murray ran with authority, and finished the game with 123 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. It was Murray’s fourth 100-yard effort in the past six games. Running back Derrick Henry also contributed to the attack, with 60 rushing yards and his first career NFL touchdown.
The Titans improved to 4-4 with the win, and matched Houston (4-3) for the most wins in the AFC South in the process. At the season’s midway point, the Titans eclipsed their win total (3) from last season.
The Titans took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter on a 32-yard field goal from kicker Ryan Succop, which capped an 11-play, 54-yard drive.
Then the Titans really got rolling.
The Titans stretched the lead to 10-0 when Mariota connected with receiver Kendall Wright on a 36-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter.
Less than five minutes later, the Titans made it 17-0 on a six-yard touchdown run Henry. Henry’s first career touchdown capped an 8-play, 69-yard drive.
But the Titans weren’t done yet.
A 15-yard touchdown run by Murray made it 24-0. Then, on the final play of the first half, Succop made a 22-yard field goal to stretch the lead to 27-0 at the half.
The Titans outgained the Jaguars 354 to 60 yards in the first half.
The Titans played suffocating defense in the first half, and held the Jaguars in check throughout. Linebackers Derrick Morgan and Avery Williamson had sacks for the Titans.
The Jaguars did finally break through and score on their opening possession of the second half, driving 75 yards on 11 plays and scoring on a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Blake Bortles to tight end Julius Thomas. The ensuring two-point conversion made it 27-8.
But the Titans quickly answered back. A 47-yard pass from Mariota to tight end Delanie Walker put the Titans deep in Jacksonville territory, and moments later Mariota connected with receiver Rishard Matthews on a four-yard touchdown pass to make it 33-8. The Jaguars added two late scores when Bortles connected with Allen Hurns for a five-yard touchdown, and Brian Walters for a seven-yard score with one second remaining.
The Titans have scored 26-plus points in four straight games for the first time since 2003.
The Titans return to action on November 6 against the Chargers, in San Diego.
