And just like that, the Jacksonville Jaguars only have one more game to go to finish the regular season. The good news is that regardless of how things play out when they face the Tennessee Titans in Week 18, they've already qualified for the postseason. That said, the Jags will be looking for their seventh win in a row and 13th overall.
Leaving aside that 13 wins would be the most the Jaguars have had since 1999, trouncing the Titans will help them seize the AFC South and clinch one of the top three seeds in the conference. For that reason, don't expect Jacksonville to take its foot off the pedal until the outcome of the game is abundantly clear.
The Jaguars aren't taking the rival Titans lightly
The Jaguars already defeated Tennessee early in the season, but Liam Coen is doing his best to ensure the team doesn't rest on its laurels. The first-year head coach is well aware that the outcome of the past game doesn't have a bearing on the next one and expects the Titans to show improvement.
"It's going to be one of those type of football games where we understand that they've improved. I think Tennessee in really all areas," Coen told reporters on New Year's Day (1:04 mark). "I mean, it's one of the best run defenses in the National Football League. Over the last X amount of weeks."
Coen continued, "They are scoring more offensively. You can tell that Cam [Ward] has definitely found a little bit more of a rhythm. They're getting the ball out of his hands more RPOs. They're running it well. There's not a lot of quitting that football team in Tennessee right now."
Simply put, Coen expects this game to be like any other against a division opponent, meaning that thing could come down to the wire. With this in mind, here's a look at the injury report:
The Jaguars ruled out Patrick Mekari, but Bhayshul Tuten and Robert Hainsey are back
Right guard Patrick Mekari is dealing with a back injury and won't be available in Week 18. Walker Little will fill in for him at right guard. The Jaguars also ruled out rookie edge rusher Jalen McLeod. They had opened his 21-day window to practice but didn't activate him from Injured Reserve, so he won't return this season.
On the other hand, center Robert Hainsey (groin), defensive end Danny Striggow, and running back Bhayshul Tuten (finger) will suit up against the Titans.
Ahead of the game, Jacksonville announced that it promoted tight end Patrick Herbert from the practice squad to the active roster via standard elevation. The rookie out of Oregon has yet to make his regular-season debut, so he may get a few snaps in Week 18.
Related: 2 winners (and 3 losers) from the Jags' decision to extend Cole Van Lanen
Jaguars inactives vs. the Titans
Here are the Jaguars inactives against the Titans:
• Patrick Mekari, right guard
• Hunter Long, tight end
• Keith Taylor, cornerback
• Patrick Herbert, tight end
• Emmanuel Ogbah, pass rusher
• Maason Smith, defensive tackle