For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the scenario is simple. Beat the Tennessee Titans on Sunday and win the AFC South Division. Lose to the Titans, and the picture becomes much fuzzier.
The Titans are wrapping up a lost season and could be saying goodbye to one of their all-time great players, running back Derrick Henry.
Jaguars vs. Titans Betting Lines, Start Time, and More
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread: Jaguars -3.5
- Moneyline: Jaguars (-192), Titans (+160)
- Over/Under: 41
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Nissan Stadium
- Channel: CBS
Jaguars vs. Titans Prediction
For the second straight year, the Jaguars head into Week 18 needing to beat the Titans to win the AFC South Division. Last year, Jacksonville defeated Tennessee, 20-16, to win the division.
The Jaguars’ season could come down to the health of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence has been dealing with right shoulder and left finger injuries, and he will be a game-time decision Sunday.
At the same time, the Jaguars have to be feeling good about themselves after posting a shutout over the Carolina Panthers last week, which snapped Jacksonville’s four-game losing streak. And while the shutout did come against the lowly Panthers, the Jaguars will be facing a Titans team that managed just a field goal last week vs. the Texans.
Without Lawrence last week, the Jaguars turned to the running game, and that produced 155 yards, their second-highest rushing total of the season. Travis Etienne, who is approaching 1,000 rushing yards for a second straight season, had one of his most productive games of the season last week, with 102 rushing yards and a pair of TD runs.
Tennessee, on the other hand, is dealing with its second straight disappointing season. With 11 losses, the Titans have now had back-to-back double-digit loss seasons following three straight playoff appearances.
The Titans have had offensive issues for a second straight season, as they are going to finish in the bottom 10 in total offense and scoring offense for the second year in a row. Last week’s loss to Texas was the 11th time this season the Titans have scored fewer than 20 points in a game.
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It appears Tennessee will bring out Ryan Tannehill at quarterback for this game, with Derrick Henry playing what could be his final game as a Titan. Henry, who surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season last week, had just 38 rushing yards on a season-low 10 carries in the first meeting vs. the Jaguars back in November.
Along with the injury situation with Lawrence, the Jaguars are dealing with injuries to wide receivers Zay Jones (knee/hamstring) and Christian Kirk (groin), who are both listed as questionable.
The Titans have quarterback Will Levis (foot) listed as questionable; it is Tannehill who will get the start.
Jacksonville has been excellent in this spot, as it is 7-1 vs. the spread this season when it is favored by fewer than seven points. In addition, the Jaguars are 4-1 against the spread vs. AFC South opponents.
For Tennessee, it has struggled in the division, going 0-5 vs. the spread against AFC South teams. The Titans are also just 2-6-1 against the spread in their last nine games overall.
For the second straight season, the Jaguars have everything to play for in their season finale vs. the Titans. Tennessee, meanwhile, has nothing but pride on the line. Pride means expect a good effort from the Titans.
But the motivation lies with the Jaguars, who will get it done on the road.
Best Bet: Jaguars -3.5 (-112 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
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