Preparing for Tough Titans Secondary in Game for the Jacksonville Jaguars

As the Jacksonville Jaguars gear up for their Week 13 showdown with the Tennessee Titans, one challenge looms larger than most: figuring out how to crack the Titans’ formidable secondary. Tennessee’s defensive backfield—anchored by shutdown cornerbacks and ball-hawking safeties—has emerged as one of the AFC’s most disruptive units this season, ranking 8th in the NFL in interceptions (12) and 10th in passing yards allowed per game (215.6). For the Jaguars, who rely on quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s ability to connect with playmakers like Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk, navigating this tough secondary isn’t just a game plan detail—it’s the key to controlling the tempo and securing a win that could tighten their grip on the AFC South. Preparing for Tough Titans Secondary in Game for the Jacksonville Jaguars explores the specific threats posed by the Titans’ secondary, the Jaguars’ strategic adjustments in practice, and how key players are gearing up to rise to the challenge.

At the heart of the Titans’ secondary dominance is cornerback Kristian Fulton, a fourth-year veteran who has evolved into one of the league’s most consistent lockdown defenders. Fulton has allowed just 45% of passes thrown his way to be completed this season, with only 1 touchdown surrendered and 3 interceptions to his name—including a game-sealing pick against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10. What makes Fulton so tough to beat is his combination of speed and physicality: he excels at jamming wide receivers at the line of scrimmage to disrupt route timing, and he has the recovery speed to stay with even the fastest pass catchers on deep routes. In practice this week, the Jaguars have had second-year wide receiver Zay Jones simulate Fulton’s style, using aggressive press coverage to help Ridley and Kirk adjust their releases. “Kristian Fulton is a guy you can’t ignore,” said Jaguars wide receivers coach Chad Hall. “We’re working on quick releases, subtle route variations, and even some pre-snap motion to throw off his timing. Our receivers need to be patient and precise—one wrong move, and he’ll be all over the ball.” Lawrence has also spent extra time studying film of Fulton’s tendencies, noting, “He leans heavily on his right jam, so we’re looking for ways to exploit that with crossers and slants. It’s about making him react instead of letting him dictate.” Preparing for Tough Titans Secondary in Game for the Jacksonville Jaguars emphasizes that neutralizing Fulton will be a top priority, as his ability to shut down one side of the field forces offenses into predictable patterns.

Complementing Fulton in the Titans’ secondary is safety Kevin Byard, a two-time Pro Bowler whose ball skills and football IQ make him a constant threat to turn plays over. Byard leads the Titans with 4 interceptions this season and has added 6 pass breakups, often lurking in the middle of the field to read Lawrence’s eyes and jump routes. What makes Byard particularly dangerous is his versatility: he can line up in single-high safety to cover deep passes, drop into the box to help stop the run, or even blitz from the slot to catch quarterbacks off guard. To prepare for Byard, the Jaguars have focused on creating misdirection in their passing game, using play-action fakes and tight end motion to pull him out of position. In team drills, tight end Evan Engram has been running fake block-and-release routes to draw Byard toward the line of scrimmage, opening up deep windows for the wide receivers. “Kevin Byard is a playmaker—he’s always in the right place at the right time,” said Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor. “We need to make him hesitate, even for a split second. Play-action, motion, quick passes—anything to keep him guessing.” Lawrence has also practiced looking off Byard before delivering passes, a technique he used successfully against the Baltimore Ravens’ Marcus Williams earlier this season. “You can’t let Byard lock onto your eyes,” Lawrence explained. “You have to make him think you’re going one way, then go the other. It’s a mental chess match, and we’re preparing to win it.” Preparing for Tough Titans Secondary in Game for the Jacksonville Jaguars highlights that Byard’s presence demands a team-wide effort, as no single adjustment will be enough to neutralize his impact.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have also shifted their focus to the run game as a way to soften the Titans’ secondary, recognizing that a balanced attack can force Tennessee’s defensive backs to play more conservatively. The Titans’ secondary tends to press harder and take more risks when their defense is facing obvious passing downs—so the Jaguars are working to keep the chains moving with running backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby, creating more third-and-short situations where the Titans can’t afford to send extra defenders into coverage. In practice this week, the Jacksonville Jaguars have emphasized zone-running schemes that target the edges of the Titans’ defense, where linebackers often have to choose between stopping the run and covering tight ends or slot receivers. “If we can establish the run, it changes everything for their secondary,” said Jaguars running backs coach Bernie Parmalee. “When they’re worried about Travis turning the corner for a big gain, they can’t just sit back and wait for the pass. It opens up windows for our receivers.” Etienne, who has rushed for 850 yards this season, has been practicing cutback runs to exploit gaps created when Titans safeties cheat toward the line of scrimmage. The Jacksonville Jaguars have also added more two-tight end sets to their practice reps, using Engram and Luke Farrell to block on run plays while also keeping the Titans’ safeties occupied in coverage. Preparing for Tough Titans Secondary in Game for the Jacksonville Jaguars shows that the Jacksonville Jaguars’ focus on balance isn’t just about diversifying their offense—it’s a strategic move to take away the Titans’ secondary’s biggest strength: their ability to focus solely on stopping the pass.

Another key part of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ preparation involves using pre-snap motion and formation shifts to confuse the Titans’ secondary, which relies heavily on communication and alignment to be effective. The Titans’ defensive backs are well-drilled in their assignments, but they struggle when offenses force them to adjust on the fly—something the Jaguars have been exploiting in practice with frequent shifts between 11-personnel (1 running back, 1 tight end, 3 wide receivers) and 12-personnel (1 running back, 2 tight ends, 2 wide receivers). The Jacksonville Jaguars have also been using motion from slot receiver Christian Kirk, who lines up in the backfield before shifting to the slot to force Titans cornerbacks to switch assignments mid-play. “Motion is our secret weapon here,” said Taylor. “It makes their secondary communicate faster, and that’s when mistakes happen—misalignments, missed assignments, confusion about who’s covering who.” Lawrence has embraced this approach, noting that motion helps him read the Titans’ coverage before the snap. “If I see a cornerback hesitate when Kirk moves, I know they’re in man coverage,” Lawrence said. “If they shift as a unit, it’s zone. That pre-snap information is gold against a secondary as good as theirs.” The Jaguars have also practiced quick, three-step drops to get the ball out before the Titans’ secondary can fully settle into their coverage—limiting the time defensive backs have to close on receivers. Preparing for Tough Titans Secondary in Game for the Jacksonville Jaguars underscores that the Jacksonville Jaguars’ attention to pre-snap details is a way to level the playing field, turning the Titans’ discipline against them by forcing split-second decisions.

As game day nears, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ preparation has shifted from scheme work to mental focus, with players and coaches emphasizing the need for patience and execution. The Titans’ secondary won’t be beaten with one big play—instead, the Jaguars are looking to chip away with short, precise passes, well-timed runs, and occasional deep shots when opportunities arise. Lawrence has been leading extra film sessions with his receivers, breaking down specific snaps from the Titans’ recent games to identify coverage weaknesses. “This isn’t a game where we can force things,” Lawrence said. “We need to take what they give us, stay disciplined, and trust the game plan.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ coaching staff has also reminded players that the Titans’ secondary, while tough, isn’t perfect—pointing to their struggles against teams that use multiple tight ends or run heavy play-action. “They’re a great unit, but they have cracks,” Pederson said. “Our job is to find those cracks and exploit them, one play at a time.” For fans, the matchup between the Jaguars’ passing attack and the Titans’ secondary is sure to be the game’s most thrilling storyline—a battle of strategy, skill, and mental toughness. Preparing for Tough Titans Secondary in Game for the Jacksonville Jaguars concludes that the Jacksonville Jaguars’ success won’t just depend on talent, but on how well they’ve prepared to outthink and outexecute a secondary that has stymied some of the NFL’s best offenses. If they can stay patient, stick to the game plan, and make the most of their opportunities, the Jaguars have a real chance to come away with a win that could define their season.