Jaguars tune out the noise, get first win of season with 20-7 victory over Titans

After one of the most bizzare weeks in team history, the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) did their best to turnaround the 2019 season on Thursday night, physically

After one of the most bizzare weeks in team history, the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) did their best to turnaround the 2019 season on Thursday night, physically dominating the Tennessee Titans (1-2) in a 20-7 win.

Despite the noise surrounding the team after cornerback Jalen Ramsey's trade request was reported on Monday, the Jaguars played like a team who knew its season was hanging in the balance. From the first snap onward, players on offense, defense and even special teams played with an energy that hadn't yet been seen this season. 

Things got off to a good start in the first quarter when rookie defensive back Andrew Wingard forced an Adoree' Jackson fumble on the game's first punt, which was scooped up by linebacker Leon Jacobs. It was followed by a 7-yard touchdown pass from Gardner Minshew to tight end James O'Shaughnessy to make it 7-0.

"It felt awesome just to make a big play for the team and celebrate, looking up at the crowd and stuff like that," Wingard said after the game. 

On the next drive, Minshew hit two terrific downfield throws to put the Jaguars on the scoreboard once again. He first threw a 28-yard pass to Dede Westbrook in tight coverage, and followed it with a beautiful 22-yard touchdown to D.J. Chark, giving Chark a touchdown in every game this season.

Minshew finished the game 20 of 30 passing for 204 yards and two touchdowns, while Chark led the team in receiving with four catches for 76 yards, continuing each of their strong seasons. 

And in what could be Ramsey's final game as Jaguar, the defense saw the return of Sacksonville. Despite the talk of the entire week being about Ramsey's trade request, it was the rest of the defense who dominated from start to finish. To put it into perspective: 

• The Jaguars had 9 sacks, with six different players notching at least half of a sack. 
• Calais Campbell had three sacks on his own, and rookie defensive end Josh Allen was right behind him with two, one being a strip sack. 
• Held the Titans to 91 rushing yards on 26 carries, a 3.5 yard per carry average.
• Contained Derrick Henry to 17 carries for 44 yards, a 2.6 yard per carry average.  

For rookies like Allen and Quincy Williams, it was their first wins as Jaguars, and their first experience in the Sacksonville defense they knew they were joining after being drafted. 

"It was amazing, just because that is Jaguar defense. That is what we are used to playing. So just getting back to that and just getting better every week, man. It is going to be amazing," Williams said. 

With the win, the Jaguars are now in front of the Titans in the AFC South standings. After the last four days were disaster after disaster, the Jaguars tuned out the noise and reminded a national audience what they can be capable of. It was also the team's first win vs. the Titans since Dec. 24, 2016. 

On Thursday night, Jalen Ramsey was not the story for the Jaguars. Winning a game in dominating fashion was.