The Tennessee Titans enter a Week 14 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium desperately needing a win for several reasons.
Not only are the Titans playing their first game since the firing of general manager Jon Robinson, they are also looking to snap a two-game losing streak following a butt-whipping at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles.
On top of that, the Titans have a chance to eliminate their division rivals from the AFC South race, as a win would officially knock the Jaguars out of contention.
Jacksonville comes into this game in the midst of yet another losing season, the franchise’s fifth-straight. And while the 4-8 record doesn’t say much, the Jaguars are certainly improved from where they were last season.
Both sportsbooks and the vast majority of experts believe the Titans will win this game, and why wouldn’t they? The Titans have dominated the Jags in recent years.
But now it’s time for our staff to weigh-in. Here are our picks for Week 14.
Shaun Calderon
The Titans are a desperate football team at the moment, and that is when they’re usually at their best.
I expect a bounce-back day for Derrick Henry, while the passing attack does just enough to complement the ground game en route to the team’s eighth victory.
Final score: Titans 24, Jaguars 16
Tyler Rowland
I wrote it early in the week and I’m sticking to it here: This is a MUST WIN for the Tennessee Titans.
Jacksonville is improved from last year, but two losses against some of the best teams in the NFL can’t let us forget the Titans are a good team as well.
I think Derrick Henry gets back on track against a Jaguars team ranked last in tackle grade, per Pro Football Focus.
Final score: Titans 20, Jaguars 17
Mike Moraitis
The Titans desperately need a win on Sunday for many reasons, chief among them being they need to get back on track after two consecutive losses.
At least historically speaking, the Titans couldn’t have drawn a better opponent, with Tennessee having beaten Jacksonville in nine of their previous 10 meetings, and eight straight at home going back to 2014.
The Jaguars are improved and shouldn’t be taken lightly, and the Titans are really banged-up, especially on the defensive side of the ball, with three starters ruled out.
With Trevor Lawrence hampered by a toe injury, the Titans’ pass-rush will have an easier time getting to him, forcing Lawrence into multiple turnovers to create much-needed short fields for Tennessee’s struggling offense.
The King gets back on track with a 100-plus-yard day, and while the passing attack continues to struggle overall, Chigoziem Okonkwo has the best game of his young career with Treylon Burks out in what will be a close Titans win.
Final score: Titans 23, Jaguars 19
