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NASHVILLE — Derrick Henry was utterly unstoppable, the Titans run defense looked much better, and Tennessee continued its playoff push with a 30-9 dismantling of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football at Nissan Stadium.
Here are five things to know as the Titans improved to 7-6:
Many Jaguars tried, but all failed.
Derrick Henry simply would not go down in rushing for an absurd 238 yards — a franchise record for a single game — and four touchdowns... all on just 17 carries.
Chris Johnson previously held the franchise record for rushing yards in a single game with 228.
Henry's highlight was an all-timer: a 99-yard touchdown run down the left sideline that featured multiple stiff-arms and prompted those in attendance to shoot to their feet. It was the longest run in franchise history (obviously) and tied for the longest run in NFL history. Tony Dorsett also had a 99-yard run while playing for the Dallas Cowboys on Jan. 3, 1983.
Henry also had a 54-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, this one featuring his speed as he outran a slew of Jaguars defenders down the right sideline.
The Titans allowed a whopping 281 rushing yards to the Texans in Week 12. Then they allowed 156 to the lowly Jets. Thursday, though was a different.
Leonard Fournette was back? No matter. The Titans held the Jaguars to just 25 rushing yards in the first half, and just 1.7 yards per carry.
Fournette had just 36 rushing yards on 14 carries as the Jaguars (4-9) managed just 60 yards.
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Marcus Mariota had another bad, costly misfire that led to an interception, his second in as many games.
In the first quarter, the Titans quarterback rolled out to the left, threw across his body and airmailed Tajae Sharpe. Ronnie Harrison came down with the easy interception.
Mariota finished 17-of-23 passing for 146 yards.
Soon after Mariota's gaffe, Cameron Batson muffed a punt, recovered it and retreated into the end zone before being tackled for a safety.
Henry, though, quickly made sure those blunders became afterthoughts.
The Titans didn’t leave Nissan Stadium unscathed.
Tight end Jonnu Smith injured his knee on Henry’s 99-yard run and went to the locker room immediately after. He didn’t return.
Right tackle Jack Conklin (knee), wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (ankle) and linebacker Brian Orakpo (who was holding his left elbow as he walked off the field and into the locker room) also left the game and did not return.
Playoff hopes still alive
They just won’t die.
The Titans’ playoff hopes remain slim, but intact. They’re now the seventh seed in the AFC, though three 6-6 teams who play this weekend still have the tiebreaker advantage over them.
Tennessee next heads to New York to face the Giants (4-8) before finishing the season at home with games against the Redskins (6-6) and Colts (6-6).
Follow the Tennessean's Erik Bacharach on Twitter @ErikBacharach.
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