Jacksonville Gets Key Divisional Win Over Tennessee

NFL News - October 4th, 2009 - Written by John

Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio shut down David Garrard's radio show on the local ESPN radio network, claiming publicly that he wanted his quarterback to be better prepared for games.

He said the show, which aired for an hour on Fridays, was too distracting and that time could be better spent studying film or staying home with his family. It appears, at least initially, he was right.

Garrard had his best game of the year throwing for 323 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions to lead Jacksonville to it's second straight win, 37-17 over Tennessee. It couldn't have been scripted any better for the Jaguars, who desperately needed a win.

After starting 0-2, they won their first divisional game over Houston and, with a victory over the Titans, now are the apparent competitors for the divisional crown with Indianapolis.

Mike Sims-Walker had 91 yards receiving on a day where he set a career high with two touchdown catches. Both of them came in the first half to put Jacksonville in the driver's seat early. The first, a nine yarder from Garrard put the Jaguars ahead 17-3 midway through the second quarter. Then, on a final drive before the half, Sims-Walker tied up a six-play drive when he hauled in a 15-yard strike from Garrard that made it 27-3.

In all, eight different players had at least one catch for Jacksonville. The home team also won the turnover battle, three to one, and outrushed one of the best running teams in the league by 42 yards.

Meanwhile, Tennessee, who was the last team to lose a game last year, is off to one of it's worst starts in recent memory and the division title is an afterthought. Kerry Collins was picked twice and rumors are still swirling about the possible return of Vince Young. Head coach Jeff Fisher has said he is sticking with Collins, but Sunday couldn't of helped his case.

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