The Jacksonville Jaguars already beat the Tennessee Titans earlier this season. However, they might have trouble coming out on top again in Week 17. For starters, they'll be without a handful of key players. Add the fact that the weather will most likely be less than ideal, and the Jags could have trouble pulling off the sweep.
The game will be held at EverBank Stadium. Jacksonville won't have to endure the extreme heat of the summer, but there's a strong chance it will rain. NFLWeather predicts a 76 percent chance of precipitation. Similarly, there will be winds of 23 MPH speed, so both teams will have trouble throwing the football.
On the bright side, it will be 74 degrees Fahrenheit, so it won't be hot or cold. Nevertheless, quarterback Mac Jones won't enjoy favorable weather, so he will have trouble bouncing back from his underwhelming performance in the loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17.
Down 19-14 in the late quarter, Jones had a chance to win the game but instead turned the ball over on downs, and the Jags lost. One week prior, he threw the game-sealing interception against the New York Jets. But as underwhelming as the former Alabama product has been in relief of Trevor Lawrence, head coach Doug Pederson is confident he help Jacksonville beat the Titans for the second time this season.
"Just play consistent football, right?" Pederson responded when he was asked what he wants to see from Jones. "Execute the offense, lead the offense. Lead the team. doesn't have to do more than that. Just again, just control. He can control, put the ball in play, and do that. If he does, then what we've seen, obviously from him, great things and good things will happen."
Pederson went on to say that he's looking forward to facing the Titans, pointing out that there will be a great atmosphere at the Bank.
"It's going to be a lot. In front of our fans, it's gonna be a great atmosphere with Tennessee coming here, an AFC South opponent to defend it, to finish up our home schedule, and to get a win. That'd be, that would be huge. And again, a step in the direction of trying to finish the season the right way."
Below is Pederson's full exchange with the press corps.
What to expect when the Jaguars play the Titans in Week 17
The Jacksonville Jaguars are currently a 1.0-point favorite for the game. This makes sense because both teams are 3-12 but the game will be held at EverBank Stadium. However, the weather could erase whatever advantage Jacksonville will have over its division foe.
The Jags' game plan will probably revolve around Jones throwing short passes and letting his supporting cast make plays. It will likely include high doses of Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne. While they have had trouble establishing the run this season, they may have no choice against Tennessee.
The Titans, for their part, are bracing themselves for the possibility of having to play in the rain. Running backs coach Randy Jordan is sprinkling players with a hose to ensure their holding onto the football.
With the potential for rain on Sunday in Jacksonville, @Titans RBs coach Randy Jordan isn’t messing around. pic.twitter.com/pKivK4XLSx
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 26, 2024
But apart from the weather, the Jaguars will have to try to beat Tennessee without left tackle Walker Little, safety Darnell Savage, and linebacker Ventrell Miller.
The bottom line is that the Jaguars will have to adjust to the weather and overcome injuries in Week 17. It won't be easy, but they'll need to pull it off if they don't want to extend their current losing streak to three games.