Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans Week #1 Preview

The Jaguars come into Week 1 of 2008 off a great season last year. They were 11-5, taking one of the wild card berths in the AFC, however, were beaten by the Patriots in the Divisional Round after a tough playoff victory against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. They also come into game one with heavy hearts as their teammate Richard Collier remains in critical condition after being shot earlier this week.

Expectations are tremendously high in Jacksonville this season. Some experts believe this will be the year they over throw the 5 time AFC South Champion Indianapolis Colts. Others even believe they will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. They have a stout defense, with a very talented secondary led by Rashean Mathis, and a physical defensive line led by John Henderson and Reggie Hayward. Their offense is led by the most accurate passer in 2007, David Garrard, and a hard nose running back in Maurice Jones-Drew. Lots of talent that will have to perform to get them where experts believe they will be in 2008.

Week 1 brings a matchup of two division rivals as the Jaguars go into Tennessee to take on the Titans. The Titans were the other team to take the AFC wild card. They were beaten by the Chargers. Last year, the Jaguars went 1-1 against the Titans, losing a tough Week 1 game 13-10 at home. In the re-match they beat them pretty handily winning 28-13 in Tennessee week 10, splitting the season series.

Tennessee has upgraded their receiving core with the offseason acquisition of Alge Crumpler. This will give Vince Young a target that he has not had since being drafted by Tennessee. The Titans ground game seems to be a talented one with LenDale White, and newly drafted Chris Johnson. It will be interesting to see how Jeff Fisher uses these 2 different style running backs.

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Jacksonville in the offseason went out and got former 1st round pick Troy Williamson from Minnesota. David Garrard was one of the most accurate passers in the game last year, completing 64% of his passes in just 12 games. He most certainly can use more talent at receiver which Williamson should be. Matt Jones and Reggie Williams, two tall, physical receivers should get plenty of looks this year with Garrard at quarterback for a full season. Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor should open up a passing game that hasn’t been known for many touchdowns.

This game will be a tough one for both teams. Jacksonville will have to win this game to try and legitimize all the experts’ expectations of them. If they are to get to the elite level that the Patriots, Chargers, and Colts are, they will have to beat a tough Tennessee team. Meanwhile, the Titans are looking to build on what was a great year for them last season. As they try to get to the level where the Jaguars, and Steelers are, no better time like now to try and prove it to themselves’ by facing Jacksonville. Like all divisional games are in the NFL, this should be a very close game.

By Stephen Lombardo
ProFootball-fans.com Jacksonville Jaguars Correspondent