The Tennessee Titans were defeated by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, allowing their AFC South rival to complete the regular-season sweep over them via a 20-13 final in Week 17. The 3-13 Titans officially moved into last place in the division and were swept by both the Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts this campaign. Brian Callahan's club is an abomination, but at least they're scheduled to move into the top three of the 2025 NFL Draft order.
We've identified two winners (and two losers) from Tennessee's latest embarrassment.
Winner: Tyjae Spears, RB
Tyjae Spears got the start in place of the injured Tony Pollard, who was shut down with an ongoing ankle injury, and a flu propped on top of his condition. Spears was one of Tennessee's only effective offensive playmakers. The former Tulane standout exited with a concussion, but not before recording 103 total yards, making a difference both as a rusher and pass catcher.
Pollard is unlikely to suit up for the regular-season finale versus the Houston Texans in Week 18. Spears should receive another opportunity to carry the workload in Callahan's backfield, should he clear protocol. The sophomore began the season in slow fashion due to a concussion issue, but is poised to conclude the campaign strongly.
Loser: Titans' Front Seven
The Titans have struggled with mobile quarterbacks this season. Nobody would describe Jones as "mobile," but he did rush for 23 yards and a couple of first downs versus the Titans. Furthermore, the Jaguars ran several misdirection plays around the line of scrimmage that gave Tennessee's defense fits.
Rookie wideout Brian Thomas Jr. rushed for 18 yards on such a play and totaled 109 yards and a touchdown for Doug Pederson's offense. Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby were also more effective as the game wore forward. Losing defenders like Jack Gibbens and Ernest Jones IV made a difference down the stretch.
Winner: Luke Gifford, LB
The inside linebacker position continued to be a revolving door. On Sunday, it was veteran Luke Gifford and Jerome Baker that started for defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. Gifford, who served as a captain, took advantage of his opportunity to play meaningful snaps on defense.
Jacksonville's first offensive drive ended when Gifford broke up Jones pass intended for Brenton Strange. They had to settle for a 48-yard field goal. Later in the first half, Gifford made an outstanding goal-line tackle on Travis Etienne on 1st-and-goal from the three-yard line. Unfortunately, the Jaguars scored a passing touchdown on the next play. Nonetheless, the veteran linebacker made his presence felt.
Loser: Julius Chestnut, RB
Like Spears, Chestnut was elevated into a more prominent role due to Pollard's injury. But unlike Spears, he did not maximize his chance to play on offense. Chestnut made various errors, some more costly than others, that hampered the Titans versus the Jaguars.
The Titans were facing a 2nd-and-20 from their own 42-yard line early in the second quarter. A Jaguars defender tipped a Mason Rudolph pass intended for Chestnut, which made it a more difficult catch. It slipped through the former undrafted free agent's grasp and into the waiting arms of a Jaguars defender for an interception. Jacksonville scored a touchdown on the possession, extending their advantage. Chestnut then returned the ensuing kickoff for 21 yards, his first of several disappointing kick returns.