Jaguars Eliminated from Playoff Hunt with Loss to the Titans
The Jacksonville Jaguars would have the opportunity to clinch their spot in the playoffs and win their second straight AFC South Division title on Sunday afternoon. However, Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans had other plans, as they would eliminate their division rival from the playoff chase, after finishing the season with a 28-20 upset victory over the Jaguars. The Titans came into the game looking to finish the season strong and send their pending free agent star running back Derrick Henry off on a high note, with the likelihood of him resigning being slim due to salary cap complications. The Jaguars were aiming to avoid losing five of six to conclude the season, after starting the season with an impressive 8-3 record. Let’s take a look at how the Titans were able to send their rivals home with a sour taste in their mouth.
The Jaguars would start the game strong on their first drive but would end up stalling outside of red zone territory and would have to settle for a 44-yard field goal by kicker Brandon McManus to take a 3-0 lead. The Titans would quickly respond on their first drive to take a 7-3 lead in the opening quarter following a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Tannehill to running back Tyjae Spears. Three minutes into the second quarter, Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence would connect deep with wide receiver Calvin Ridley for a 59-yard touchdown reception to retake a 10-7 lead. The Titans would respond once again with a touchdown drive of their own that ended in an 18-yard run by Henry to regain a 14-10 lead with eight minutes left in the half.
Following a Lawrence interception, the Titans would extend their lead to 21-10 after a three-yard touchdown run by Spears with three minutes left in the second quarter. On the Titans’ next drive following a second Lawrence interception, they would fail to convert on a fourth down attempt near midfield to give Jacksonville possession with 30 seconds remaining before halftime. The Jaguars would capitalize and cut their deficit to 21-13 following a 30-yard field goal by McManus heading into the locker rooms. Coming out of halftime with the ball, the Titans would make a statement drive to extend their lead to 28-13, following a 69-yard run by Henry that would set up a 6-yard touchdown pass to wideout DeAndre Hopkins. The Jaguars would later respond to begin the fourth quarter, as Lawrence would find tight end Evan Engram for a 14-yard touchdown grab to cut the Titans’ lead to 28-20.
The two teams would have turnovers on their next two possessions in the fourth, which would set the Jaguars up with a chance to score a game-tying touchdown with two minutes remaining on their last drive of the game. However, Lawrence would fail to connect with Engram on a short pass on fourth down to officially seal the Titans’ victory and would wrap up the Jaguars season that came to a crumbling end in Nashville. Coming into the game, Lawrence was limited throughout the week during practice with a nagging shoulder injury that had him miss last week’s game against the Panthers. In the loss against Tennessee, Lawrence would finish the game going 29 for 43, with 280 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. With wideout Christian Kirk remaining inactive for the Jaguars' receiving core, Engram and Ridley would carry the load with each having a touchdown reception and at least five catches. In the victory, Tannehill would finish the season going 17 for 26, with 168 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. In potentially his last game with the Titans, Henry would have himself a game, having 19 carries for 153 yards and one touchdown run.
