JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars talked all week about a strong start. It was missing last season, which bothered coach Jack Del Rio, baffled players and benefited opponents.

The Jaguars wanted and needed better.

They got it in the season opener. Maurice Jones-Drew scored in his return from knee surgery, and Jacksonville used a flawless start and some clutch plays late to edge Tennessee 16-14 on Sunday.

"That was exactly what we were looking for early," defensive end Jeremy Mincey said. "We couldn't have scripted it any better."

The Jaguars sacked Matt Hasselbeck on the opening play, forced a three-and-out and then drove for a 7-0 lead. It certainly set the tone and was the best the Jaguars could have hoped for after an awkward week that included the stunning release of veteran quarterback David Garrard.

Jacksonville dominated most of the first three quarters, shutting down star running back Chris Johnson, forcing seven punts and applying steady pressure on Hasselbeck.

Johnson, who joined the team a little more than a week ago following a holdout, was pretty much a nonfactor. He ran nine times for 24 yards and caught six passes for 25 yards.

The Jaguars led 13-0 and felt like it should have been more, but Tennessee made it close with a pair of second-half touchdown passes from Hasselbeck to Kenny Britt.

"They came out of the box with the crowd and the enthusiasm and they got points on the board and we didn't," new Titans coach Mike Munchak said. "We were flat early and there's no reason for that. We had a good week of practice, we were ready to play, all those things. But the bottom line is it equates to that first quarter.

"They pretty much did what they wanted to do and put us in a hole. We fought back, which is a good thing, but we cut it too close."

The Jaguars fed off an emotional 9/11 tribute that started with fullback Brock Bolen and cornerback Will Middleton, players with family ties to the military, leading teammates out of the tunnel while carrying American flags. Middleton's brother is in the Navy, and Bolen's father earned three Purple Hearts.

It seemed to inspire the Jaguars.