If the Tennessee Titans’ contest against the host Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday were a bowl game, some might term it the Tank Bowl.
In a matchup of 3-12 AFC South teams playing out the string of forgettable seasons, it could be argued that the loser will come out ahead in the long run. After all, that team would enhance its chances to earn the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
But competitive instincts and human nature being the powerful forces they are, both teams will try for a win that will — at least for a week — give them a little better feeling about the season.
Don’t believe that? Just look at Tennessee’s decision to start backup quarterback Mason Rudolph again instead of going with second-year pro Will Levis. In theory, Levis and the team would be better served with him taking snaps, since he could still be a good NFL quarterback if and when he quits making big mistakes.
But first-year coach Brian Callahan is going with Rudolph, who threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns in last Sunday’s 38-30 loss at Indianapolis. Rudolph also threw three interceptions, adding to the team’s NFL-high total of 32 turnovers.
“He’s got the ability to avoid the negative play when it comes to sacks,” Callahan said of Rudolph. “He gets the ball out. He knows where to go with it quickly.”
The Titans’ offensive line has permitted 47 sacks this season — 40 with Levis at the helm. Levis also has thrown 12 interceptions and lost two fumbles, while Rudolph has thrown eight picks and lost a fumble.
When the teams met on Dec. 8 in Nashville, Jacksonville notched a 10-6 win, holding Tennessee to 272 total yards and limiting Levis to 168 yards passing. It’s the Jaguars’ only road win of the season.
Jacksonville is coming off a 19-14 loss last week in Las Vegas, another three-win team. The defeat moved Jacksonville up to the projected No. 3 overall pick, according to tankathon.com. That’s one spot ahead of the Titans.
But Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, whose team could be without six projected offensive starters from the season’s beginning for this game, isn’t hunting for alibis.
“It’s just a tough situation to be in, but at the same time, listen, I’m not going to make excuses for it,” he said. “We are who we are. … We haven’t been consistent enough in our play on the field.”
The exception to that rule has been rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who is closing the season with a bang. Thomas has 27 catches for 323 yards the last three weeks, including nine for 132 and a touchdown against Las Vegas. He owns franchise rookie records for receptions (73), yards (1,088) and touchdowns (nine).
With Thomas cooking, backup quarterback Mac Jones has played solid football lately. He completed 25 of 39 passes for 247 yards last week. He has completed 65.4 percent of his passes, his best mark since his rookie year with New England in 2021.
Jacksonville offensive tackle Walker Little (ankle), linebacker Ventrell Miller (ankle), safety Darnell Savage (concussion) and defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (illness) did not participate in practice on Wednesday.
For the Titans, wide receiver Tyler Boyd (foot), kicker Nick Folk (abdomen), safety Amani Hooker (shoulder), offensive lineman Dillon Radunz (shoulder) and linebackers Kenneth Murray Jr. (wrist) and Otis Reese did not participate in Wednesday’s session.
–Field Level Media
