Published Jan 1, 8:40pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jan 1, 8:40pm ET
Grok AI
Updated Jan 1, 8:44pm ET
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| Jacksonville Jaguars | -13.5 (-108) |
| Tennessee Titans | +13.5 (-112) |
The Titans know their situation. Despite the game having meaning for the Jags, Texans, Broncos, and Patriots, Tennessee has its own problems to worry about. Already, they are looking for a new head coach. They believe they have their QB in rookie Cam Ward. If they can get the highest draft pick possible, it gives them a litany of options from taking a foundational player to trading it away for multiple down-the-line picks.
Depending on whether the Giants, Jets, and Cardinals are dumb enough to win on Sunday, the Titans could get the #2 overall pick.
As it stands, they're at #4.
Still, the Titans are not openly tanking. They beat the depleted Chiefs in Week 16 and led the Saints 26-20 with less than 13 minutes left before New Orleans scored 2 TDs to win 34-26.
Ward has been impressive over the past two weeks, completing 42 of 68 passes for 4 TDs and no picks. Overall, he's had a respectable rookie season given the circumstances. Tennessee needs to address its offensive line. Ward leads the NFL in being sacked and yards lost at 55 and 410, respectively.
There were a handful of turnover-worthy throws that were pretty rough, but Cam Ward's highs in Week 17 vs the Saints were probably his highest of this season. Just some flat-out insane throws#Titans pic.twitter.com/hl7L71Zm7f
— Drew Beatty (@IronCityFilm) December 29, 2025
This is an appealing job for whichever head coaching candidate they target.
ALSO SEE: Ravens vs Steelers | Week 18 Odds & NFL Pick (Jan 4)
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Gunnar Helm, TE | INJURED |
| Amani Hooker, S | INJURED |
| Arden Key, LB | INJURED |
| Kevin Zeitler, G | INJURED |
The Jaguars need to win this game to take the AFC South without help. They will need significant help to get the #1 seed in the AFC.
The Texans are playing the Colts at home. Philip Rivers will not play for Indianapolis. If Houston wins, as expected, they can win the division if the Titans somehow upset the Jaguars.
If the Jaguars win, they can still get the #1 seed in the unlikely event that the Chargers beat the Broncos despite already having announced that Justin Herbert will sit. Then they need to hope that the Patriots lose to the visiting Dolphins.
So it's not going to happen.
#Jaguars Week 18 Playoff Scenarios:
— Jaguars: Ken Knowledge™ 👨🏻💼 (@JagKenKnowledge) December 29, 2025
With a WIN - clinch the AFC South Division Title.
No. 3 Seed - WIN or Texans LOSS
No. 2 Seed - WIN + Broncos or Patriots LOSS
No. 1 Seed - WIN + Broncos LOSS + Patriots LOSS pic.twitter.com/3UsSyacdnL
Week 17 exemplified how the Jags have taken care of business this season. The Colts put up a fight in Indianapolis and led 17-14 near the end of the 3rd quarter. But Cam Little kicked three field goals over the final 16 minutes and 25 seconds to help Jacksonville to a 23-17 win.
They didn't play particularly well, turning the ball over twice. QB Trevor Lawrence completed 23 of 37 passes for 263 yards. He didn't throw a TD, but scored 2 on the ground. He was intercepted once.
Their defense held Jonathan Taylor to 70 yards on 21 carries.
They know they need to drop the hammer on the bottom-feeding Titans.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Danny Striggow, DE | INJURED |
| Robert Hainsey, C | INJURED |
| Patrick Mekari, G | INJURED |
| Greg Newsome II, CB | INJURED |
| Anton Harrison, OT | INJURED |
| Ezra Cleveland, G | INJURED |
| Montaric Brown, CB | INJURED |
| Jourdan Lewis, CB | INJURED |
In Week 17 Titans-Jaguars, there is benefit for the Titans to lose. The Jaguars need to win.
Of course, it's unlikely that the Broncos will lose to the Herbert-less Chargers. Obviously, LA head coach Jim Harbaugh has conceded their position in the Wild Card and isn't worried about who they play.
The Titans' draft position hinges on whether they lose.
Jags head coach Liam Coen will emphasize what his players already know: They must-must-must win this game against a bad team.
Jacksonville will put the game out of reach early and get its veterans, particularly Lawrence, Jakobi Meyers, and Josh Hines-Allen, out of the game.
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Jacksonville Jaguars -13.5
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