5 things you need to know about the Titans vs. Jaguars in Week 14

The 2-10 Jacksonville Jaguars have already been eliminated from the 2024 NFL postseason. The 3-9 Tennessee Titans can join them with a loss or tie on Sunday at home as these AFC South rivals renew acquaintances. Doug Pederson’s disappointing club has dropped five in a row, and along with the Chicago Bears (0-5) are the only teams in the league not to win a game at home this season (0-6).

All-Time Series Record

Including their lone playoff clash in the 1999 AFC title game, the Titans own a commanding 11-game lead in the overall standings (35-24) in a series that dates back to 1995 and the franchise’s days in Houston.

In eight straight seasons from 2009-16, these clubs split their two-game set each year. Since ’17, the Titans own a 10-4 advantage. A year ago, both teams prevailed at home. In Week 11, Pederson’s squad came away with a 34-14 win. Seven weeks later, Tennessee surprised the Jaguars, 28-20, at Nashville, eliminating Jacksonville from postseason contention.

Quarterbacks: Tale of the Tape

The Jaguars have placed Trevor Lawrence on injured reserve. He suffered a concussion in the second quarter of the 23-20 home loss to the Texans, and is dealing with a shoulder issue.
Mac Jones came in, threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns in the narrow setback. He’ll be making his sixth appearance and third start with the team. Jones has thrown for two scores and been intercepted three times this season.

Will Levis enjoyed a somewhat-respectable day despite the team’s 42-19 loss last Sunday at Washington. He threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns, both to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (of course), and did not turn over the football. However, he did not complete at least 50 percent of his passes (18-of-37). Levis hit on just nine of his 21 throws in the second half, one of those a 17-yard scoring strike to Westbrook-Ikhine.

Defensive Analysis

It’s been a total disaster on this side of the ball for Pederson’s 2-10 club. No team in the league has allowed more total yards (406.4) and more passing yards (273.3) per game, and only Carolina and Cincinnati have given up more points per contest. A year ago, Jacksonville forced 27 turnovers in 17 games. This season, they have only eight takeaways (five interceptions, three fumble recoveries) in 12 outings.

With another opportunity to win two games in a row for the first time since 2022, the Titans failed big time at Washington. Dennard Wilson’s unit allowed touchdowns on each of the Commanders’ first four drives. Tennessee faced a season-high 77 offensive plays and gave up 463 total yards—the team’s worst performance on this side of the ball in 2024. The Titans are still ranked second in the NFL in total defense.

Keys to the Game

Jaguars: Pederson’s needs to find a way to keep the Tennessee offense off the field, which may be easier said than done. That’s because Jacksonville’s running game has been less-than-effective this season (25th in NFL), although the Jaguars could take advantage of an inconsistent Titans’ run defense that was gashed for a season-high 267 yards (3 touchdowns) on 45 attempts in last Sunday’s lopsided loss at Washington.

Titans: Callahan’s team needs to re-establish its ground game after a miserable performance last Sunday. Tennessee tied a season-worst with only 11 running plays, and gained a mere 35 yards. It was the second time in three games that the offense ran for fewer than 40 yards. Tony Pollard needs 165 yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark on the ground, and faces a troubled Jacksonville defense ranked 24th vs. the run.

Titans Player to Watch

It has to be wide receiver Calvin Ridley, doesn’t it? He was the team’s biggest free-agent acquisition this offseason, and he figured to put up some big numbers with new head coach Brian Callahan, the former Bengals’ offensive coordinator, and Nick Holz. The latter was with Ridley in Jacksonville last season, as Holz was the team’s passing-game coordinator. In his lone season with the Jaguars, the former first-round pick of the Falcons (2018) totaled 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns, and made 17 starts.

However, in 12 games this season, Ridley has totaled team-highs in catches (43) and receiving yards (679) but has snared only three scoring passes (he also has a rushing TD). That should change against the most generous pass defense in the league, and a team that has allowed 24 scoring tosses.