The Jacksonville Jaguars will be playing for the AFC South title when they visit Nashville in Week 18. The Tennessee Titans won’t be playing for much of anything.
While three teams are tied for the division lead heading into the final week, the 5-11 Titans are way out of the postseason hunt. Jacksonville doesn’t expect to see a checked out Tennessee team, though. Ruining the Jaguars season with a Week 18 win sounds right up Titans head coach Mike Vrabel’s alley, actually.
“There’s a level of intensity and physicality with Tennessee and Mike’s teams over the years,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said Wednesday. “Regardless of where they might be right now or whatever the situation, these guys are going to play hard for Mike and Mike is going to do everything he can to win this game.”
Earlier this year, the Titans came to EverBank Stadium and lost 34-14 in a one-sided game against the Jaguars. It was a similar story last year when the Jaguars won 36-22 in the first meeting. While Tennessee had a chance at the AFC South title in the Week 18 rematch that time, the Titans were on a six-game losing streak heading into the matchup.
Still, the Titans led late in the fourth quarter and the Jaguars didn’t lead until less than three minutes were left in their 20-16 win.
“I think it’s highly disrespectful to underestimate a man who has dedicated his entire life to his niche, his platform, his trade, his job, whatever you want to call it,” Jaguars receiver Zay Jones said Wednesday, via 1010XL. “These are professional football players. They get paid at a high level to do what they do too. So I’d be mistaken to go into this game thinking that there’s one man on that side who’s not playing for something.”
Two years ago, the Jaguars ended an eight-game losing streak by winning their last game and improving 3-14 in the process. That unlikely win also meant the Indianapolis Colts missed the playoffs.
Jacksonville would be wise not to underestimate the Titans and walk into a similar fate.
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