Week 18 staff predictions: Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans

The 2023 season comes down to this for the Jacksonville Jaguars — win, and you're the AFC South champs for the second year in a row.

Lose, and it gets complicated.

Regardless of the outcome, our seven expert pickers will ALL finish above .500 for the season.

That's pretty amazing considering last year only one of us — me to be exact — was the only one to finish above .500. Our overall record for the 2022 season was 54-65.

This year, with one game remaining, we are 67-45 and have a three-way tie for first place. Everyone else is a game back.

How do our experts see this one going? Read on...

DEMETRIUS HARVEY

Jaguars beat writer

Jaguars 21, Titans 10

I'm not completely confident in this pick. The Jaguars did what they needed to against a lifeless Panthers team last week. Will the Titans be just as lifeless after losing the majority of their games in the last two seasons? That's the big question. Trevor Lawrence's status is in doubt as of Friday, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Jacksonville need C.J. Beathard to put together another turnover-free performance to take this one and win the AFC South.

Season: 10-6

MIKE DiROCCO

ESPN

Jaguars 24, Titans 14

Expect a similar game plan offensively, even if Trevor Lawrence plays: Short throws, commitment to the run game, maybe a shot or two down the field.

Season: 9-7

GENE FRENETTE

Times-Union Sports columnist

Jaguars 27, Titans 13

Unless the Jaguars come down with another case of turnover-itis, I don't see any path for Tennessee winning this game. Not with that turnstile offensive line that has allowed 62 sacks and can't seem to open any crease for Derrick Henry, or with defensive star Jeffery Simmons on injured reserve. Time for sack-hungry Josh Allen and Travon Walker to eat, and the Jaguars to hang another AFC South banner.

Season: 10-6

GARRY SMITS

Times-Union Sports reporter

Jaguars 20, Titans 10

This game may be in doubt until the fourth quarter but in the end, the Jaguars are more talented with more offensive weapons — even if WRs Christian Kirk and Zay Jones don't play or aren't 100 percent. The main goal, winning to clinch the AFC South title, should be all the motivation they need.

Season: 9-7

JUSTON LEWIS

Times-Union Sports reporter

Jaguars 24, Titans 13

It was always the Jags.

Season: 9-7

CLAYTON FREEMAN

Times-Union Sports reporter

Jaguars 20, Titans 13

It's almost never straightforward for the Jaguars when Derrick Henry is involved. He's gained 1,138 yards in his last nine games against the Jags. But this time, Tennessee might field the worst O-line in the NFL, one that not only can't block for Henry (0.6 yards per carry three weeks ago against Houston) but can't protect any of its three QBs (62 sacks allowed). Expect Sacksonville to take over Nashville, and the Jaguars to claim the AFC South title.

Season: 10-6

TIM WALTERS

Times-Union Sports Editor

Jaguars 31, Titans 17

I should just pick Tennessee in anticipation of my co-workers choosing the Jags to win this game, only so I have a chance to tie for first place among our expert pickers. However, I can't do that. The Titans have been really bad this year, and I don't expect that to change Sunday against the Jaguars, regardless of who starts at quarterback — Trevor Lawrence or CJ Beathard. The Jaguars are motivated and want to claim the South again, which they will be rolling in this game.

9-7

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Jaguars at Titans predictions: Florida Times-Union picks NFL Week 18 2023