The Jaguars’ week 11 matchup comes after an incredibly frustrating and disappointing loss. With the thrashing suffered by the 49ers behind them, the Jaguars can rebound with a win against the Tennessee Titans.
In the upcoming matchup against the Titans, the Jaguars’ offense and defense need to find their groove. There are matchups of utmost importance on both sides of the ball.
Offensive line is an issue the Jaguars have been dealing with all season, yet their situation is much better than the Titans. The Titans’ offensive line has struggled mightily and will be one of the key matchups in the Jaguars’ week 11 matchup. Another key matchup for this game will be the Jaguars’ wide receivers against the Titans’ defensive backs.
Jaguars’ Week 11: 2 Key Matchups to Watch
Jaguars Defensive Line vs. Titans Offensive Line
Jacksonville Jaguars OLB Josh Allen (41) – Matt Pendleton/Jacksonville Jaguars
One of the most important matchups of the Jaguars’ week 11 matchup is the Jaguars’ pass rush against the Titans’ offensive line. A combination of injuries and poor play has plagued the Titans in 2023, as their offensive line has fallen down the rankings. With a continued downward trend for the Titan’s offensive line, they now rank near the bottom of the NFL consensus offensive line rankings.
The Titans offensive line is in the bottom half of the NFL regarding pass protection and it’s been getting worse as the season continues. Andre Dillard has struggled in his first season on a new roster, and with his absence from the Titans on Sunday the 3rd string left tackle will have a matchup nightmare. They get the pleasure of facing Josh Allen.
If there was one matchup in the Jaguars’ week 11 game against the Titans between individual players, it would be Josh Allen against the starting left tackle. Unfortunately for the Titans, no matter who was starting at left tackle they would have a tough time. In the 2023 NFL season, the Titans’ left tackle spot has allowed 40% of the pressures allowed by the Titans. With Josh Allen lining up against left tackles for the majority of games, expect to see a lot of pressure thrown at rookie quarterback Will Levis.
Jacksonville Jaguars OLB Dawuane Smoot (91) – James Gilbert/Jacksonville Jaguars
With the Jaguars’ week 11 matchup featuring such a distinct disadvantage for the Titans at one of the most important positions, the overall matchup of the offensive line for the Titans against the Jaguars’ pass rush is clear. The Jaguars have an overwhelming advantage. Not only will Josh Allen feast, but Travon Walker has begun to improve in his sophomore season, evident with his slay in week ten despite the horrible Jaguars performance.
With a chance to rebound in the Jaguars’ week 11 matchup, Josh Allen and Travon Walker should lead the way in what’s shaping up to be a massive chance for a middling defensive front. There might be no larger matchup mismatch in the Jaguars season and with the Jaguars in dire need of a get-right game, the Jaguars’ pass rush should be finding a lot of success against the Titans’ offensive line.
Jaguars Receivers vs. Titans Defensive Backs
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk (13) – James Gilbert/Jacksonville Jaguars
Similar to the offensive line for the Titans, the defensive backs have been struggling in 2023. The Titans have been vulnerable in the secondary so far and have been in the bottom half of the league regarding overall defensive and pass coverage. In the Jaguars’ week 11 matchup, the defensive backs for the Titans will be tested with great skill players on the Jaguars.
According to PFF, the Titans have a 57.7 coverage grade, good for seventh worst in the NFL. Their overall defensive grade is 63.2, which is eighth in the NFL. It’s become apparent since last season, that opposing wide receivers feast on the Tennessee Titans’ secondary. With the Jaguars receivers coming off a disappointing week against the 49ers, there might not be a much better matchup for Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk to put together a huge day.
Just like the Titans’ offensive line, one of the Titans’ corners is out for the Jaguars’ week 11 matchup. Sean Murphy-Bunting has been ruled out, and he’s been far and away the Titans’ best defensive back. According to PFF, Murphy-Bunting has a 71.9 coverage grade, which is nearly nine points higher than the second highest-graded defender in coverage.
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley (0) – Kam Nedd/Jacksonville Jaguars
Calvin Ridley is the one player that will benefit the most from this matchup. With his recent usage and output far lower than many Jaguars fans had hoped before the season, Ridley is primed to put together a great day. Lining up against any of the Titans cornerbacks, Calvin Ridley should be in a spot to have a big day.
Christian Kirk will also be a major factor for the Jaguars offense, and the defense will be tasked with covering what should be one of the better wide receiver tandems in the NFL. It’s a challenging situation for the Titans defenders, as Kirk and Ridley play off each other extremely well. When the offense is struggling like it has for the Jaguars, a get-right game for the offense will be a great opportunity for the Jaguars receivers.
If there was one takeaway, it would be that the matchup in the Jaguars’ week 11 game will be one of the best matchups for the Jaguars offense this season. Ridley, Kirk, and maybe even Zay Jones as he returns from injury and an arrest, will all be set to have a big week. Press Taylor and the Jaguars offense have to figure things out in week 11 against the Titans because if not, there might not be another opportunity to see what this Jaguars offense can do.
Jaguars’ Week 11 Injury Report
Jacksonville Jaguars CB Tyson Campbell (32) – Bob Self/Florida Times-Union
- WR Jamal Agnew (Shoulder/Ribs) – OUT
- CB Tyson Campbell (Hamstring) – OUT
- OT Anton Harrison (Back) – Questionable
- WR Zay Jones (Knee) – Questionable
- DL Roy Robertson-Harris (Knee) – Questionable
- QB Trevor Lawrence (Knee) – No Designation
In Jaguars’ week 11, there are plenty of injuries to monitor. Tyson Campbell is once again banged up and will be out as he’s dealing with an injury to his hamstring. Gregory Junior and Montaric Brown will fill in for Campbell and based on their previous performances it’ll be something to monitor.
Zay Jones being questionable is also a good sign for his availability on Sunday. In previous weeks he hasn’t been questionable, rather being ruled out before inactives are announced on Sunday. Jones returning would be a huge benefit to the Jaguars pass attack, and in a great matchup, the offense would be well set up with Jones returning.
Anton Harrison and Trevor Lawrence, along with Roy Robertson-Harris should be good to go against the Titans, despite their injuries.
The only other noteworthy injury is Jamal Agnew, and with his absence, there will be some intrigue as to how his manufactured touches are spread out within the offense.
Titans’ Week 11 Injury Report
- WR Treylon Burks (Concussion) – OUT
- OT Andre Dillard (Concussion) – OUT
- OG Daniel Brunskill (Ankle) – Questionable
- CB Antony Kendall (Hamstring) – No Designation
- CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (Thumb) – OUT
- CB Eric Garror (Neck) – No Designation
- LB Jack Gibbens (Shoulder) – No Designation
- LB Luke Gifford (Shin) – Questionable
- QB Ryan Tannehill (Ankle) – No Designation
- S Mike Brown (Ankle) – No Designation
- QB Will Levis (Foot) – No Designation
It’s a long injury report for the Titans, with multiple starters out against the Jaguars with injuries. Treylon Burks continues to deal with a nasty concussion and will miss out on the Jaguars’ week 11 matchup. But the two most notable players ruled out are Andre Dillard and Sean Murphy-Bunting. Both are starters for the Titans and are huge losses at the two positions the Titans are struggling with.
The majority of the injury reports for the Jaguars’ week 11 opponent are for players expected to be ready to go, but the players already ruled out are the three most important players on the injury report.
Predictions for Jaguars’ Week 11
Jacksonville Jaguars CB Gregory Junior (34) – Kam Nedd/Jacksonville Jaguars
I got the week ten prediction completely wrong, and I went against my preseason prediction in doing so. I won’t be changing my prediction from the preseason this week, as I believe the Jaguars’ week 11 game has the Jaguars fans going home happy with a win.
While some of the players are dealing with injuries, Gregory Junior will have the chance to build on his preseason success. While not a major storyline in the Jaguars’ week 11 matchup, it’s still an extra aspect to pay attention to.
I predict the Jaguars will defeat the Titans and get to 7-3 on the season, leading up to a pivotal matchup against a scorching-hot Texans team with their eyes on the AFC South division title.
