Jacksonville defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks sacked Tennessee quarterback Charlie Whitehurst to prevent a game-tying Hail Mary attempt as the Jaguars held on for a 21-13 victory over the Titans on Thursday night.
The sack by Marks also triggered a $600,000 contract bonus for having eight sacks in a season.
Jacksonville rushed for 177 yards against the Titans porous rush defense on the night with Toby Gerhart and Jordan Todman each finding the end zone for the Jaguars.
Whitehurst connected with Leon Washington for an 8-yard touchdown to cap a 12-play, 89-yard scoring drive on the opening possession of the game. Tennessee extended the lead to 10-0 in the second quarter with a 50-yard field goal by Ryan Succop.
Blake Bortles connected with Marcedes Lewis on a 4-yard touchdown just before halftime to get the Jaguars on the board. Jacksonville then scored on their first possession of the second half with Gerhart finding the end zone on a 1-yard run to give the Jaguars a 14-10 lead.
Gerhart left the game in the fourth quarter with a rib injury.
Todman then broke free and scampered for a 62-yard touchdown run with just over nine minutes to play as the Jaguars took a 21-10 lead over the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter. Todman’s lengthy touchdown run was the longest run in four years by a Jaguars player.
Tennessee managed to respond on their ensuing possession as a 39-yard pass from Charlie Whitehurst to Kendall Wright moved the Titans into Jacksonville territory. However, the drive stalled at the 5-yard line with Tennessee forced to settle for a 23-yard Ryan Succop field goal to pull within 21-13.
However, one final chance to tie the game came up short as Chris Clemons beat Titans left tackle Jamon Meredith around the edge, forcing Whitehurst into Marks before he could send a Hail Mary try toward the end zone.
Whitehurst finished 24 of 35 for 287 yards and a touchdown for the Titans.
