The Tennessee Titans will play the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, and it could be seen as a game where both teams are struggling, with both having disappointing seasons.
With records of 3-12, these two AFC South teams are playing out the rest of a forgettable year. In fact, the loser of the game may have a better chance at getting the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Even so, both teams will still try to win the game to give themselves something positive to feel good about, even if it’s just for a week.
For example, the Titans have chosen to start backup quarterback Mason Rudolph instead of second-year player Will Levis. Even though it might be better for Levis to get more playing time to develop, head coach Brian Callahan is giving Rudolph another chance.
Rudolph threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns in last Sunday’s 38-30 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, but also threw three interceptions. This brought the team’s total turnovers this season to an NFL-high of 32.
“He’s got the ability to avoid the negative play when it comes to sacks,” said Callahan about Rudolph. “He gets the ball out. He knows where to go with it quickly.”
Tennessee’s offensive line has allowed 47 sacks this season, with 40 of those happening when Levis was the quarterback. Levis has also thrown 12 interceptions and lost two fumbles, while Rudolph has thrown eight picks and lost one fumble.
When the two teams met on Dec. 8 in Nashville, Jacksonville won 10-6, holding the Titans to just 272 total yards and limiting Levis to only 168 passing yards. This was Jacksonville’s only road win of the season.
The Jaguars are coming off a 19-14 loss in Las Vegas to another team with three wins. This loss moved Jacksonville up to the projected No. 3 overall pick in the draft, just ahead of the Titans.
However, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, whose team might be missing six key offensive starters for this game, isn’t making excuses for their performance.
“It’s just a tough situation to be in, but at the same time, listen, I’m not going to make excuses for it,” Pederson said. “We are who we are. … We haven’t been consistent enough in our play on the field.”
One bright spot for Jacksonville has been rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. He has been impressive, with 27 catches for 323 yards in the last three weeks, including nine catches for 132 yards and a touchdown against Las Vegas. He now holds franchise rookie records for receptions (73), yards (1,088), and touchdowns (nine).
With Thomas playing well, backup quarterback Mac Jones has also been solid. He completed 25 of 39 passes for 247 yards last week, and has a completion rate of 65.4%, his best since his rookie season with the New England Patriots in 2021.
For Jacksonville, offensive tackle Walker Little (ankle), linebacker Ventrell Miller (ankle), safety Darnell Savage (concussion), and defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (illness) did not practice on Wednesday.
For the Titans, wide receiver Tyler Boyd (foot), kicker Nick Folk (abdomen), safety Amani Hooker (shoulder), offensive lineman Dillon Radunz (shoulder), and linebackers Kenneth Murray Jr. (wrist) and Otis Reese did not participate in Wednesday’s practice either.
