The Jacksonville Jaguars enter their next-to-last game of the season against the Tennessee Titans, fighting to end their campaign on a high note following their loss to the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday.
The Jaguars take on the Titans in their home finale and hope to give their fans something to cheer about in a battle between two teams in contention for top-five selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jaguars Wire takes a closer look at the key matchups Jacksonville must win to beat Tennessee.
Jaguars QB Mac Jones vs. Titans defense
On the bright side, Jones didn’t turn the ball over last week. On the downside, he is still a below-average signal-caller who cost his team the game when he was too passive in a critical spot.
Jones is who he is; he’ll do just enough to put the ball where he needs it to go before making a few bone-headed decisions and turning the ball over at the most opportune time.
However, the former Alabama Crimson Tide standout had some success against the Titans three weeks ago despite throwing two interceptions, notably setting up a touchdown drive with three completions to rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. for 57 yards.
The Jaguars would benefit from a clean game from Jones, who took over for the injured Trevor Lawrence almost two months ago. The Titans brandish the No. 3 defense in the NFL in yards allowed per game and they aren’t the easiest unit to throw against.
If Jones can more efficiently get the ball to his best playmakers, Jacksonville will have a clear path to victory.
Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Titans WR Calvin Ridley
This is not a true offense versus defense matchup, but it’s an important battle nonetheless: Which wide receiver can be the most effective for their team this weekend?
Thomas has had an excellent rookie season, breaking rookie franchise records left and right. He has a 36.1 percent target share and a 52.5 percent air yard share with Mac Jones under-center since Week 14, the third-highest rates in the league, according to Next Gen Stats.
Ridley’s production in the Titans’ offense didn’t spike until DeAndre Hopkins was traded mid-season, but his numbers have been sound this season with 857 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Both receivers could have productive days, although their matchups vary in intensity. Ridley will be going up against the bottom-ranked passing defense in yards allowed (263.0) and Thomas will likely be force-fed the ball to create yards after the catch against the top-ranked passing defense (178.3) in football.
Whichever one has the biggest impact on Sunday could be a determining factor in the game’s result.
Titans offense vs. Jaguars defense
As highlighted in this week’s All-22 review, rookie defensive lineman Maason Smith flashed with some great pass rush and run-defending reps against the Raiders and could see his production spike against a below-average Titans offensive line.
Tennessee has gone through a couple of quarterback changes between Will Levis and Mason Rudolph. The latter will be the starter for the remainder of the season. Getting pressure on the journeyman Rudolph will be key for a Jaguars defense that has held several opposing offenses in check in recent weeks.
In their previous matchup, Jacksonville held Tennessee to six points and could see a similar result this week. With the Titans offense struggling altogether this season, this is a favorable matchup for defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen and his unit, spelling an opportunity for win No. 4 on the season.
