Week one, Ernest Wilford was the hero. Week two, Akin Ayodele came up big by pouncing on a Quentin Griffin fumble as time was nearly expired. This week, a timely pass interference call drawn by Jimmy Smith set up Fred Taylor for a one-yard run with just nine seconds remaining.
The Jags trailed early. Two Gary Anderson field goals in the second quarter gave Tennessee a 6-0 lead heading into halftime. The Titans used long, time consuming drives, but were unable to answer in the red zone. They were as close as the eight-yard line on one drive, but we're unable to get into the end zone. The first drive of the game was halted by a Rashean Mathis interception. Mathis also forced a fumble in the first quarter, but it was recovered by Drew Bennett who had the ball knocked loose.
Going into the second half, it was the same old story for the Jaguars. The offense continued to struggle as the defense continued to dominate. They went three-and-out on four of their first six drives. The seventh drive was different however. It was a seven-play, three-minute-and-thirty-second drive that was capped off by a seven-yard touchdown pass from Byron Leftwich to tight end George Wrighster, giving Wrighster his third career TD reception. The drive included an 18-yard reception by veteran wide receiver Jimmy Smith, runs of nine and twenty-five yards by running back Fred Taylor, and a 15-yard run by back up running back LaBrandon Toefield.
The Titans would end up punting just before the end of the third quarter, but the Jags would punt the ball right back. The Titans next drive included three clutch plays by Co-MVP Steve McNair. McNair completed a third-and-six pass to Derrick Mason, on third-and-ten ran up the middle for fourteen yards, and on third-and-two ran for five yards. On first down, a holding penalty moved the drive back ten yards, but on first-and-twenty, Chris Brown broke off a 26-yard touchdown run. The rush gave Chris Brown 101 total rushing yards, breaking the Jaguars streak of 17 games without giving up 100 yards to any player. The Titans failed to convert a two-point conversion, which proved to be costly.
The Jaguars would answer, just as they did in Buffalo week one. Two plays into the drive, the Jags found themselves at third-and-long. Leftwich hit Jimmy Smith for 15 yards, then Fred Taylor ran for 13 yards. Greg Jones would run for a first down on fourth-and-1. Three plays later, the jags faced yet another third down. They were bailed out as Carlos Hall was drawn offsides. The very next play, Leftwich appeared to have Smith open over the middle for a touchdown, but pass interference was called on Tennessee. Two plays later, Fred Taylor went into the end zone standing up for the game-winning touchdown, leaving just nine seconds on the clock.
Jacksonville is now 3-0, and stands alone atop the AFC South for the second-straight week. It's the first time since 1998 that the Jags have started off 3-0. The win means that Tennessee's record currently stands at 1-2, and they are 0-2 in AFC South contests. Next week, the Jags schedule will get even tougher for the fourth straight week. Jacksonville will play at home against the second-place Indianapolis Colts.
Most impressive stat after this game? It's not an in-game stat, but lets look at Byron Leftwich's career record as a starter. Lord Byron is now 8-8 through his first 16 games, marking a full season. Compare that to players like Donovan McNabb(7-9 through his first 16 starts) and Peyton Manning (3-13 through his first 16 starts). It's quite impressive how he has started his career. Jacksonville has a star in the making.
