JACKSONVILLE – Sunday would feel big for the Jaguars under any circumstance.
It feels particularly big under this one.
The Jaguars will play host to the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Stadium Sunday – and if the Titans aren’t the Jaguars’ most-disliked rival, they’re in the conversation. A Jaguars victory would give them three consecutive victories over Tennessee for the first time since 2005-2006.
That’s big stuff, but perhaps not Sunday’s biggest stuff.
First, they need to put the bad feeling of a one-sided loss to the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday in the past. Players talked this week of being embarrassed in that game and it’s time to move forward.
But perhaps most important is this:
Sunday is an AFC South game, and this one matters a lot. The Houston Texans (5-4), who beat the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Week 3, have pulled to within a game of the first-place Jaguars (6-3) – and a Texans team that has won its last two games suddenly looks very, very good.
The Jaguars, after also looking very good for five games, did not look close to good a week ago. They struggled to protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who struggled with turnovers – all while the offense and defense struggled with pretty much everything.
The NFL is a week-to-week league and Sunday marks a chance to make things feel right around the ‘Bank again. It’s also a chance to reestablish a home-field advantage after losing three of four games in Jacksonville so far this season.
Yes, it’s big. The Jaguars need this one.
