Titans’ Only Shot vs. Jaguars? Exploiting Jacksonville’s Weak Spot Could Be the Key to Winning Their First Game in Seven Weeks
While the Tennessee Titans enter as six and a half point underdogs, there's a very real possibility they could leave Nissan Stadium with a win. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward has been playing his heart out, and he should have rookie wide receiver Elic Ayomanor back on the field.
Even though WR Calvin Ridley is out for the season, this would be the most full-strength Tennessee's offense has been all year. They have three quality running backs at their disposal, and Ward should have all of his top targets healthy and ready to go.
Should the Titans find themselves trailing early, there's no need to panic. That would be the usual for them, but Ward has been a force to be reckoned with, particularly in the fourth quarter. Looking at the Jacksonville Jaguars, that could be their kryptonite.
ESPN's Turron Davenport Breaks Down Key Jaguars Weakness
"[Ward] has led the Titans on late scoring drives to pull within one score in back-to-back games despite losing both. The Jaguars' defense is allowing 9.6 points per game in the fourth quarter, 29th worst in the league. So this could be the week when Ward leads Tennessee on a late scoring drive that results in a win," Davenport wrote.
Even though the Jaguars are 7-4, they're one of the most inconsistent teams in the league. The Titans could easily force overtime, which would be Jacksonville's third overtime game in their last five, but Tennessee would love to stun them late and get the job done in regulation.
Jacksonville is ending a stretch where four of their last five games have been on the road. For Tennessee, this is their fourth straight at home. It's not like the fans of Nissan Stadium are used to seeing their team win, but it would be quite a miracle if Ward could lead them on a fourth quarter comeback that sends everyone home happy.
Ward's Late Game Magic
It's important to note how much of a factor Ridley was during the lone game-winning drive of Ward's career. Sure, that was against Arizona, but that's a Cardinals team that just took the Jaguars to overtime. Jacksonville is truly one of the hardest teams in the league to figure out, and a loss to Tennessee would make them even more puzzling.
While no team ever wants to trail in the fourth quarter, the Titans are no stranger to it. They've become used to being underdogs and playing from behind, something that could benefit them greatly against a Jaguars team that always finds a way to be their own worst enemy in the final 15 minutes.
New Orleans Saints Should Prioritize Cornerback Alontae Taylor's Extension in Free Agency
The New Orleans Saints are in the midst of a very important rebuild.
Their roster isn't up to par with the rest of the NFC, and it's left them at the bottom of the standings this year. They need to do everything in their power to build for the future, which begins in the offseason.
The NFL Draft is going to be the most important event of the offseason for the Saints, but free agency will seemingly be crucial, too. The Saints need to make some big decisions with their own free agents while also exploring other players to add to the roster.
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox recently urged the Saints to re-sign cornerback Alontae Taylor in free agency this offseason.
Saints can't afford to lose Alontae Taylor in free agency
"At some point, Mickey Loomis' habit of kicking contract dollars down the road will catch up to the New Orleans Saints. Right now, New Orleans is projected to be $15.3 million over the 2026 salary cap," Knox wrote. "While Loomis will inevitably figure out how to create some wiggle room before the start of the new league year, he'd be wise to extend cornerback Alontae Taylor now.
"Taylor will only turn 27 next month, and he possesses the sort of inside-outside versatility that will make him attractive on the open market. And while some players might jump at the chance to leave New Orleans for a legitimate contender, Taylor has 'kept lines of communication open' with the Saints regarding his contract status, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler."
Taylor is a star in the making on the Saints defense. He hasn't reached his highest level of play yet, but the Saints need to make sure he's still on the team when he does.
It likely wouldn't break the bank to re-sign him, which is the main reason the Saints should be pursuing a new contract aggressively. Finding good cornerbacks is as difficult as any position in the sport, so the Saints need to retain their talented defensive back while they have the chance.
