Coach's Strategy for Upcoming Tennessee Titans Matchup

As the Jacksonville Jaguars prepare for their divisional showdown against the Tennessee Titans, head coach Doug Pederson and his staff have crafted a targeted game plan designed to exploit the Titans’ vulnerabilities while neutralizing their biggest strengths. The matchup, set for Week 10 at TIAA Bank Field, carries significant implications for the AFC South standings—with the Jaguars (5-3) looking to extend their lead over the Titans (4-4) and solidify their playoff positioning. Pederson, known for his adaptive playcalling, has spent the bye week breaking down film of the Titans’ recent performances, identifying patterns in their offensive and defensive schemes that the Jaguars can leverage. From adjusting the pass rush to counter the Titans’ run-heavy attack to designing quick-pass plays to exploit their secondary’s coverage gaps, every element of the strategy is tailored to this specific opponent. Coach's Strategy for Upcoming Tennessee Titans Matchup thus reflects a meticulous, opponent-specific approach—one that Pederson hopes will lead to a critical divisional win.

A closer look at the Titans’ strengths reveals why the Jaguars’ strategy focuses heavily on neutralizing their run game—and why Coach's Strategy for Upcoming Tennessee Titans Matchup is centered on defensive discipline. The Titans rank 6th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (132.5), led by running back Derrick Henry, who has rushed for 789 yards and 6 touchdowns this season. Henry’s combination of size (6’3”, 247 lbs) and speed makes him one of the league’s most difficult backs to tackle, and the Titans build their offense around feeding him the ball in key situations. To counter this, Pederson and defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell have designed a strategy that uses a “gap-control” defense: defensive linemen will focus on plugging interior gaps to prevent Henry from finding cutback lanes, while linebackers will stay disciplined in their run fits, avoiding overcommitting to the outside. The Jaguars will also rotate defensive tackles Daron Payne and Austin Johnson more frequently to keep them fresh, ensuring they can match Henry’s physicality for 60 minutes. “Stopping Derrick Henry isn’t just about one player—it’s about the entire defense playing with discipline,” Pederson said in a press conference. “We need to set the edge, fill the gaps, and tackle well. If we can limit his yards after contact, we’ll put ourselves in a good position to win.” Coach's Strategy for Upcoming Tennessee Titans Matchup thus prioritizes shutting down the Titans’ most dangerous offensive weapon, knowing that slowing Henry will force them to rely more on their inconsistent passing game.

On the offensive side, the Jaguars’ strategy aims to exploit the Titans’ defensive weaknesses—specifically their struggles in covering slot receivers and defending against quick passes—making Coach's Strategy for Upcoming Tennessee Titans Matchup a balanced attack plan. The Titans rank 22nd in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (245.8) and have allowed 12 touchdowns to slot receivers this season, the third-most in the league. To capitalize, Pederson and offensive coordinator Press Taylor will design plays that get rookie wide receiver Tyler Scott and slot specialist Calvin Ridley in one-on-one matchups with Titans slot cornerback Elijah Molden, who has allowed a 71% completion rate against him this season. The Jaguars will also use quick-pass concepts—like slants, outs, and screen plays—to get the ball out of quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s hands quickly, limiting the impact of the Titans’ pass rush (which ranks 25th in sacks with 14). “The Titans’ pass rush relies on generating pressure with their front four, so we’ll use quick passes to beat that pressure before it gets to Trevor,” Taylor explained. “Getting the ball to our playmakers in space will let them create yards after the catch, which is where we can really hurt this defense.” The strategy also includes incorporating running back Travis Etienne Jr. more in the passing game, as he’s proven effective at catching out of the backfield (28 receptions for 224 yards this season) and can exploit the Titans’ linebackers in coverage. Coach's Strategy for Upcoming Tennessee Titans Matchup thus uses the Jaguars’ offensive strengths to target the Titans’ most glaring defensive flaws.

Special teams will play a critical role in the Jaguars’ strategy, with Pederson focusing on field position battles to limit the Titans’ scoring opportunities— a key element of Coach's Strategy for Upcoming Tennessee Titans Matchup. The Tennessee Titans have one of the league’s most inconsistent special teams units, ranking 29th in net punting average (37.8 yards) and 26th in kick return yards allowed per game (23.1). To take advantage, the Jaguars will use punter Logan Cooke to pin the Titans deep in their own territory, targeting the left and right sidelines to limit return opportunities. Kickoff specialist Brandon McManus will also employ a “pooch kick” strategy, sending short, high kicks to the Titans’ returners to force them to make quick decisions, increasing the likelihood of a fumble or a short return. On the return side, the Jaguars will use rookie wide receiver Jalen Brown as their primary kick returner, leveraging his speed (4.38-second 40-yard dash) to exploit the Titans’ slow kickoff coverage. “Field position is going to be huge in this game,” special teams coordinator Heath Farwell said. “If we can pin them inside their 20-yard line on punts and limit their return yards on kickoffs, we’ll make it harder for their offense to score. That’s going to be the difference in a close game.” The Tennessee Titans’ struggles on special teams present a clear opportunity for the Jaguars to gain an edge, and Pederson has made sure his team is prepared to capitalize. Coach's Strategy for Upcoming Tennessee Titans Matchup thus treats special teams as a third phase of the game, not an afterthought—one that could swing the outcome in the Jaguars’ favor.

In-game adaptability is another cornerstone of the Jaguars’ strategy, with Pederson emphasizing the need to adjust the game plan based on how the Tennessee Titans respond— ensuring Coach's Strategy for Upcoming Tennessee Titans Matchup remains flexible, not rigid. Pederson has instructed his coordinators to prepare “plan B” and “plan C” for both offense and defense, allowing the team to pivot if the Titans make unexpected adjustments. For example, if the Titans switch to a nickel defense to counter the Jaguars’ slot receivers, Taylor will shift to more run plays with Etienne, exploiting the lighter defensive front. If the Titans start using Henry in the passing game to avoid the Jaguars’ run defense, Caldwell will adjust by having linebackers drop into coverage to limit those opportunities. Pederson will also communicate with Lawrence throughout the game, using sideline meetings to discuss what’s working and what needs to change. “No game plan survives the first snap,” Pederson said. “We need to be able to read what the Titans are doing, make quick adjustments, and execute. That’s how you win divisional games—you’re not just playing the opponent, you’re playing their adjustments.” The Tennessee Titans’ coaching staff, led by Mike Vrabel, is known for making in-game changes, so the Jaguars’ ability to adapt will be critical. Coach's Strategy for Upcoming Tennessee Titans Matchup thus combines pre-game preparation with in-game flexibility, ensuring the Jaguars can respond to whatever the Titans throw at them.

Looking ahead, the Jaguars’ strategy for the Titans matchup isn’t just about winning a single game—it’s about building momentum for the playoffs, making Coach's Strategy for Upcoming Tennessee Titans Matchup a step toward long-term success. The Tennessee Titans have long been a thorn in the Jaguars’ side, with the Titans winning 4 of their last 6 matchups. A win in Week 10 would not only give the Jaguars a two-game lead in the AFC South but also boost team confidence heading into a tough stretch of the schedule (including games against the Ravens and 49ers). Pederson has framed the matchup as a “test of character” for his team, emphasizing that divisional wins are essential for playoff teams. “This is the kind of game that separates playoff contenders from also-rans,” Pederson said. “We’ve put in the work to prepare, and now we need to go out and execute. A win here would send a message to the rest of the league that we’re a team to be reckoned with.” The strategy also aligns with the Jaguars’ long-term goal of building a sustainable winner—by focusing on opponent-specific game plans, in-game adaptability, and leveraging all three phases of the game, Pederson is teaching his team the habits needed to succeed in the postseason. Coach's Strategy for Upcoming Tennessee Titans Matchup thus is more than a game plan for Week 10—it’s a blueprint for how the Jaguars aim to compete for championships. As kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on whether the strategy translates to on-field success—and whether the Jaguars can take a big step toward their playoff goals.