JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- One of the loudest cheers from the Jaguars fan base Sunday came after they trailed by a 31-3 deficit against Tennessee.
The Mania was back after quarterback Gardner Minshew trotted on the field for the first time in six weeks during the third quarter.
Unlike two weeks ago, Minshew didn't have to beg Coach Doug Marrone to play him.
Marrone turned to Minshew because their offense was listless behind starter Mike Glennon, who had only 85 yards passing with an interception before he was benched.
Minshew provided a spark, but it wasn't enough to overcome a 28-point deficit as the Titans' pulled out a 31-10 victory to sweep the two-game series and hand the Jaguars' their franchise-record 12th consecutive loss.
Yulee native Derrick Henry had his way against the Jaguars, rushing for 215 yards and two touchdowns. The Titans were never in danger of losing their lead. They scored 10 points during the final 44 seconds before halftime to extend their lead to 17-3.
It turned into a 31-3 rout after former Jaguars tight end Geoff Swaim caught a 5-yard touchdown and Henry scored on a 1-yard run.
For the past three weeks, since he benched rookie Jake Luton after a four-interception performance against Pittsburgh, Marrone stuck with Glennon, whom he said gave them their best chance to win.
But Glennon was intercepted three times, lost a fumble and was sacked for a safety during his last six quarters.
After Glennon was picked off by Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler on a pass intended for DJ Chark, Marrone made a switch. Minshew started warming up on the sideline and Glennon's day was done.
''I basically begged him to play me that Cleveland week,'' Minshew said in a phone interview last week. ''I'm just a competitor wanting to be out there and help [the] guys — it hurts man.''
Minshew hadn't played Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 11. He suffered multiple fractures and a strained ligament in his right thumb on his throwing hand that he initially injured during an Oct. 11 game at Houston but failed to report to the team.
But Minshew is fully healed now. And Minshew promptly led the Jaguars on a touchdown drive after he entered the game that end on his 5-yard pass to Keelan Cole. Suddenly, TIAA Bank Field turned alive again with enthusiasm from the fan base.
On his first drive, Minshew completed 5-of-7 passes for 48 yards on the drive. On his second, Minshew led the Jaguars on a 74-yard drive but they didn't score. On a fourth-down play from the Tennessee 14, Minshew misfired on a pass intended for Laviska Shenault.
