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BREAKING DOWN THE GAME

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Updated Oct 7, 2009 6:30 PM ET
     
 
RUSHING OFFENSE C+ The Jaguars opened some decent holes for Rashad Jennings and Greg Jones, who finally got a couple carries, when the outcome was already decided. It's hard to give too high a grade since Jacksonville jumped out to a 27-3 halftime lead by throwing it 25 times along with seven designed runs. Maurice Jones-Drew's stats (six carries, 14 yards) are all you need to know about how much the Jags dominated through the air. PASSING OFFENSE A+ A fabulously efficient performance by David Garrard (27-for-37, 323 yards, three TDs), who got fairly solid protection despite starting tackles Eugene Monroe (flu) and Eben Britton (knee) being inactive. Garrard's best play was on the opening series when he looked off Michael Sims-Walker to complete a 29-yard pass on the opposite side to Marcedes Lewis. That's what elite quarterbacks do. Sims-Walker, who caught two scores, is emerging as a Jimmy Smith heir apparent. RUN DEFENSE B+ Whenever you can keep the speedy Chris Johnson from hitting any home runs, that's half the battle against the Titans. He did nothing on the first three possessions, which produced three consecutive three-and-outs, almost unheard of from the Jaguars defense. Between the line surge led by John Henderson and the swarming presence of linebackers Daryl Smith and Clint Ingram, this was easily the best collective effort of the season. PASS DEFENSE B For the first time this year, the Jaguars actually looked like they could cover people. Despite not getting any sacks of quarterback Kerry Collins, who was intercepted twice, they kept the big plays to a minimum. Rashean Mathis' missed tackle at midfield led to a 42-yard reception by Kenny Britt, but that was the extent of bad plays by the secondary. SPECIAL TEAMS A+ One of the most impressive all-around showings by the return and coverage teams in years. After lacking a viable return man for the longest time, rookie Mike Thomas set up two touchdowns with a 34-yard punt return (first of his NFL career) and a 42-yard kickoff return. Josh Scobee had five touchbacks, which kept the Titans in poor first-half field position. COACHING A+ More than a slight upgrade from that disastrous first home game for Jack Del Rio and his staff. The Jaguars did the smart thing with an early emphasis on throwing the ball against the NFL's 29th-ranked pass defense, then resting Maurice Jones-Drew for the last 20 minutes with the game in hand. Nice wrinkles thrown in by offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter by using rookie tight end Zach Miller on inside handoffs and Thomas again on end-arounds. Give future opponents as much to think about as possible. GENE FRENETTE/The Times-Union
Tagged: Jaguars, David Garrard, Kenny Britt, Daryl Smith, Greg Jones, Mike Thomas, Titans, Jimmy Smith

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