Tennessee Titans score prediction vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Our NFL Week 18 pick is in
This is it.
A disappointing season comes to an end when the Tennessee Titans (5-11) host the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) at Nissan Stadium on Sunday (noon, CBS). Just like last season, the Jaguars go into their Week 18 matchup against the Titans with an AFC South title and a spot in the postseason at stake. Unlike last season, the Titans aren't in contention for either.
Both teams head into Week 18 with some uncertainty at quarterback. Titans rookie Will Levis is dealing with a right foot injury suffered Sunday in the loss to the Houston Texans to go along with the ankle injury he aggravated in Week 15.
Levis wasn't able to finish Sunday's game, and coach Mike Vrabel has been noncommittal about Levis' status. If Levis is unable to play, the Titans will turn to veteran Ryan Tannehill.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence missed the first game of his career last week with a shoulder injury. If that injury persists into Sunday, the Jaguars have C.J. Beathard available, who led the team to a 26-0 win in Week 17 against the Carolina Panthers.
See The Tennessean's scouting report and score prediction for Sunday's game below.
Titans offense vs. Jaguars defense
Were it not for two trick plays, the Jaguars may have shut out the Titans in their matchup in November. The Titans ran only 38 offensive plays, the fewest any team has run in any game this season, as the Jaguars forced three three-and-outs and allowed only one drive that spanned more than five plays.
Jacksonville's defense has been stout against the run and on third downs this season, two of the big reasons why the Titans couldn't get anything going. Combine those strengths with the Titans' recent issues in pass protection (19 sacks allowed in the past three games) and it's tough to imagine Levis or Tannehill finding too much success.
Advantage: Jacksonville
Jaguars offense vs. Titans defense
The Titans didn't have any answers for Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley in November. Ridley broke free for 103 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches and rushed once for 18 yards, putting stress on a Titans secondary that has been dealt more injuries since that matchup.
Lawrence's health and availability will always be a factor, especially if the Titans' pass rush can recapture some of the success it found in the weeks since. But as has been the case the past couple of weeks, the numbers game is catching up with the Titans' defense, and lack of depth is a huge concern against an offense that can move quickly and beat you over the top.
Advantage: Jacksonville
Score prediction: Jaguars 23, Titans 13
This feels like the kind of game that'll be close for three quarters, but the Jaguars will be able to pull away late. This Titans season ends with another hard-fought loss that makes fans consider how things could have been different if the full roster were available, but it will be a loss nonetheless.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Week 18 score prediction
