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The Jacksonville Jaguars are a serious team with serious talent and a head coach to lead them into the 2022 postseason and beyond. With second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence pulling the trigger and now loads of confidence, the ceiling for the Clemson alum is limitless. Now, between Lawrence and head coach Doug Pederson, the ceiling for this team matches that of Lawrence.
For the Tennessee Titans, this was a year they’d have a clear path to the AFC South crown. With only the Indianapolis Colts projected in the two-horse race for division supremacy, Jacksonville would fire a shot across-the-bow early by splitting with the Colts and delivering a drubbing at home to the Los Angeles Chargers. Meanwhile, the Titans were taking care of business to the tune of a 7-3 record. Even with a disaster on Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills, a 41-7 loss, they did an about-face and ran off a 7-1 win streak that looked to all the world that they were in charge of their own destiny.
Jags just have to win out and they're in 👀
Odds to win AFC South via @BetMGM: +110 pic.twitter.com/nlXdtFfSRd
— PFF Bet (@PFF_Bet) December 20, 2022
Since Week Nine on November 6, the Tennessee Titans are 2-7 while the Jacksonville Jaguars are 6-2 with their bye week during Week 11. Now, in their season finale, the Jaguars will host the Titans with the playoffs on the line.
Who To Watch – Trevor Lawrence
This one isn’t complicated. For the Jaguars to win, it will boil down to quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Given the failures of 2021 with Urban Meyer running the show, the turnaround has been impressive. This season, Lawrence has thrown for 3,901 yards (ninth), with 24 touchdowns (ninth-tied), eight interceptions (11th-tied), and a QBR of 55.1 (15th).
What To Watch – Jaguars On Offense
Heading into the last weekend of the NFL season, the Jaguars are on fire. In a four game winning stretch, head coach Doug Pederson had his offense humming, scoring 31.5 points per game. In a Week 14 matchup, the Jacksonville offense would wreck the Tennessee defense with 428 yards and three touchdowns. The absolute worst thing the Titans can do is to get into a shootout. A near perfect defensive effort will be required to stay close.
https://www.jaguars.com/video/highlight-jaguars-top-plays-vs-texans-week-17-2022
Who To Watch – Titans Running Back Derrick Henry
Running back Derrick Henry is still a force to be reckoned with. If all things are clicking, Henry can take over and dominate out of the backfield by sustaining drives and not turning the ball over. In 12 career games against the Jaguars, Henry has averaged 105.3 yards per game with 15 touchdowns. He added to those two career numbers against the Jaguars in Week 14 with 121 yards and a touchdown. The Titans running back has three fumbles in his last three games and two more from his first game against Jacksonville.
What To Watch – Titans Optimistic
Don’t underestimate how critical health and being well-rested can be in a game like this. The Titans will need all cylinders firing to get a big game in the win-column come Saturday night. After a Thursday Night Football appearance, the time off could pay dividends, as a Mike Vrabel team is 9-1 after a layoff. Extra time to prepare and getting players healthy could be a big boost for a team needing a “big boost”. All this will play into some added optimism as Tennessee looks to close out a season they thought would be much easier.
Winners And Losers
The 7-8 #Jaguars have a +22 point differential.
The 7-8 #Titans have a -43 point differential.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) December 24, 2022
This game could be close, as it’s a franchise changer for one and vindication for another. If 2022 is a good indicator, then look for the Jaguars to put up some points and win easily. If Tennessee can keep it close into the fourth quarter, look for running back Derrick Henry to put them in a prime position to steal one in Jacksonville.
