The Jaguars defeated their AFC South rivals 20-13 in a largely soulless, draconian, and drab affair that matched the weather and the teams’ 2024 season to date. Sunday’s game featured a perfunctory cut-and-dried battle of three-win teams. Tennessee controls the draft board as the rowdy Jaguars tame the tumbling Titans. What happened in the loss on Sunday? Is there any hope for either of these teams going forward in Week 18 against bitter AFC South rivals?
Rowdy Jaguars Tame Tumbling Tennessee Titans In Week 17
The Jaguars were without star quarterback Trevor Lawrence again, so Mac Jones drew another start. Jacksonville opened the affair with a field goal before exchanging punts with Tennessee until Mason Rudolph threw an interception on a tipped pass to Devin Lloyd. The Jaguars paid it off with a touchdown to Parker Washington, who instituted #ToeDragSwag on his acrobatic catch.
What a TD by Parker Washington 🏈
🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/QhxonOhSSj
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) December 29, 2024
Tennessee then woke up on offense, swapping field goals with their Sunshine State rivals before halftime, which made the score 13-3 at the break. The Titans came out firing after halftime, marching 85 yards in 13 plays in an emphatic soul-crushing eight-minute drive. Mason Rudolph connected with former Steelers teammate Nick Vannett for a wide-open touchdown after the Jaguars bit on the play fake.
Mason Rudolph to Nick Vannett TD.
What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on here? Where are we? What year is it? #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/rVVZ8KPBxp
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) December 29, 2024
Jones delivered some timely passes to emerging star rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr, who beat promising rookie corner Jarvis Brownlee Jr to essentially ice the game.
TOO SMALL FOR BRIAN THOMAS JR
pic.twitter.com/3KgUxYmXbA— PFF (@PFF) December 29, 2024
BTJ joined elite company after his Week 17 performance as the fourth rookie to post 1,100 yards and 10+ touchdowns. The other three illustrious names on the list are Randy Moss, Odell Beckham, Jr, and Ja’Marr Chase. He’s locked in as a surefire All-Rookie candidate.
Tennessee attempted a last-gasp comeback but fell short after an incomplete fourth-down pass was deflected. They fall to 3-13 on the season.
What Can You Say?
Head Coach Brian Callahan
.@Titans HC Brian Callahan: All the losses feel terrible … It sucks, it's terrible, there's no fun in this, nothing is enjoyable
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 29, 2024
“We were probably a play short today.”#Titans HC Brian Callahan talks today’s loss in Jacksonville. pic.twitter.com/3a0zwqoLRn
— 104-5 The Zone 📻 (@1045TheZone) December 29, 2024
Speaking of one play, here’s Mason Rudolph commenting on being safe and aggressive with the ball
Mason Rudolph on balancing the search for that "one play" with being careful with the football. pic.twitter.com/J2I5sBHpvK
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 29, 2024
Jeffery Simmons fires back at Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin after today’s losses by both teams
Don’t let the plane door close on you my dawg! See you in Cabo… https://t.co/FOQ1dsF5eT
— Jeffery Simmons (@GrindSimmons94) December 29, 2024
Takeaway
There isn’t much to glean from the loss other than a dispiriting loss that tumbles the Titans to the second overall selection. The defense kept up mostly, but the offense struggled in the rainy conditions to muster anything. Tyjae Spears was his most efficient, being the bell cow back once he earned the start over an injured Tony Pollard.
What’s On The Menu?
Coach Callahan doesn’t want to discuss the draft with an archrival and maybe disinterested Houston (they’re locked into the four seed, regardless) coming to town next week. He and most of his staff received a vote of confidence per reports on Saturday. According to Tankathon, the Titans hold the second overall selection, putting them in prime position to select a quarterback of the future. Tennessee has three wins in a four-way tie for the first overall selection. Will the tame loss by tumbling Titans to the rowdy Jaguars play a significant factor in the race for the first pick?
Jacksonville travels to Indianapolis to take on a playoff-eliminated Colts team, who disastrously lost to the woebegone Giants on Sunday. New York was in pole position for the first overall selection before their victory, eliminating the Colts from playoff contention. The Jaguars hold the fifth selection, down from being in the top three in previous weeks.
Main Photo: [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] – USA Today Sports
