By Justin Worsley
The Tennessee Titans pounded the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars 30-3 at the EverBank Field on Monday night to help Tennessee take a claim for first-place in the AFC Central division.
The starting quarterbacks on both teams, Tennessee's Vince Young and Jacksonville's David Garrard, left the game with injuries.
Young was injured in the first quarter on Tennessee's second drive off a fumbled snap by center Eugene Amano. Young knelt down to retrieve the ball and was swarmed by several Jaguars and Titans players who were going for what was initially called a fumble. A challenge by Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher show that Young placed his knee on the ground as he recovered the ball, nullifying the fumble. Young, however, suffered a mild left knee sprain and did not return, ending the game with 61 passing yards and an opening-drive touchdown pass to Kenny Britt.
Garrard was hit hard by linebacker Will Witherspoon as he threw in the second quarter and did not return, being replaced by backup Trent Edwards. After the game, it was announced that Garrard had suffered a concussion.
Tennessee led 7-0 early in the game after Britt's touchdown pass and did not lose the lead once backup Kerry Collins entered the game. In the second quarter, Collins led Tennessee on an eight-play, 37-yard drive which ended with a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Bo Scaife.
Rob Bironas nailed two of his three field goals later on in the game, giving Tennessee a 20-0 lead before Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee kicked a 33-yard field goal early in the third quarter.
Titans running back Chris Johnson had 111 rushing yards including a 35-yard touchdown with 1:40 left in the game.
Tennessee outgained Jacksonville 324-249 and did not turn the ball over. Edwards threw three interceptions, including one on the Tennessee one-yard line and tight end Mike Thomas fumbled a reception in the red zone. Tennessee shut down the Jaguars in the red zone, who went 0-3.
The 27-point loss is the most lopsided victory for the Titans over Jacksonville since the 1999 season, when Tennessee defeated Jacksonville 41-14.
Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew ran for only 57 yards on 17 carries, his second-lowest total for a game this season.
Tennessee has won four of their last five meetings with the Jaguars, outscoring their rival 118-77.
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