Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans Picks and Predictions December 29th 2024

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans December 29th 2024

The Jaguars are the slight favorite in this week 17 AFC South matchup, with the point spread at -1 in favor of Jacksonville. The game is being played at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL, and the Jaguars are the slight favorite on the money line at -116. Looking to add to their record, the Titans are -105 on the money line. CBS will televise the game, which kicks off at 1:00 ET, with the over/under line set at 41 points.

Tennessee vs. Jacksonville Key Information

• Teams: Titans at Jaguars
• Where: EverBank Stadium Jacksonville
• Date: Sunday, December 29th
• Betting Odds JAX -116 | TEN -105 O/U 41

The Titans Can Win If…

Heading into week 17, the Titans are on a four-game losing streak, including a 38-30 loss to the Colts in week 16. This puts their record at 3-12, leaving them 4th in the AFC South. Tennessee has a -8.9 scoring margin and ranks 24th in our power rankings. They have a 0.0% chance of making the playoffs.

Against the spread, the Titans are 2-13 and have failed to cover in four straight games. They are 0-4 as favorites and 2-9 as underdogs. Their O/U record is 9-5-1, with the over hitting in two consecutive games.

Heading into week 17, the Titans rank 29th in our offensive power rankings, averaging 18.9 points per game (25th) and 301.4 yards per game (27th). They sit 26th in passing yards per game with 194, on 31.5 attempts per game, and are 21st in rushing, averaging 107.4 yards on 25.9 carries per game. Tennessee ranks 22nd in the NFL in 3rd-down conversions, with a 37.1% success rate, and they are 9th in red zone conversion percentage, despite being 18th in red zone attempts. The Titans have been strong in the 1st quarter, ranking 5th in the league in points scored.

Mason Rudolph threw for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns in week 16, but he also had 3 interceptions, finishing with a passer rating of 72. Chig Okonkwo led the team with 81 receiving yards, while Tony Pollard had 35 rushing yards on 8 carries. Tennessee scored 15 points in the 4th quarter against the Colts and converted 3 of 3 red zone opportunities.

In their 38-30 loss to the Colts, the Titans’ defense struggled to stop the run, giving up 335 rushing yards on 50 attempts. Despite this, they allowed just 123 passing yards on seven completions. The Titans’ run defense allowed the Colts to average 6.7 yards per attempt, and they also gave up a 69-yard touchdown run to Jonathan Taylor.

Tennessee’s defense did manage to pick off one pass and held the Colts to 63.6% completions. They also allowed just one touchdown through the air. However, the Titans struggled to get off the field, as the Colts converted 53.3% of their third down attempts. Tennessee’s defense only managed one sack and lost the battle in both QB hits and tackles for loss.

• Across Tennessee’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 0-3. In these matchups, they ended with an ATS record of 0-3 and an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Tennessee has put together a record of 2-8 in their last ten games (regular season). Against the spread, Tennessee went 1-9 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 7-3.

The Jaguars Can Win If…

Jacksonville heads into week 17 against the Titans looking to snap a two-game losing streak, which includes a 19-14 loss to the Raiders in week 16. The Jaguars are now 3-12 and sit 3rd in the AFC South with a 2-2 division record. They rank 29th in our power rankings and have a -7.9 scoring margin this season.

Jacksonville is 7-7-1 against the spread, but they have failed to cover in two straight games. As underdogs, they are 6-4-1 ATS, but they are just 1-3 when favored. Their O/U record stands at 8-7, with their games averaging 44.9 points.

Heading into week 17, the Jaguars rank 23rd in our offensive power rankings. They are 27th in the NFL in points per game, averaging 18.5, and 26th in yards per game, with 306.1. Jacksonville ranks 21st in passing yards per game, with 206.5, on 32.8 attempts per game. On the ground, they are 26th in rushing yards per game, with 99.6, and 23rd in rushing attempts. The Jaguars are 26th in the league in 3rd-down conversion rate, at 35.6%.

Mac Jones threw for 247 yards and a touchdown in week 16, completing 25 of 39 passes without an interception. Brian Thomas Jr. led the team in receiving, with 9 catches for 132 yards, while Tank Bigsby had 50 rushing yards on 12 carries. Jacksonville scored 7 points in the 1st and 3rd quarters but were shut out in the 2nd and 4th quarters in their 19-14 loss to the Raiders.

In their 19-14 loss to the Raiders, the Jaguars’ defense held Las Vegas to just a 28.6% conversion rate on third down. They also limited the Raiders to 69 rushing yards on 27 attempts, giving up only 2.6 yards per attempt. Despite the loss, the Jaguars’ defense didn’t allow a passing touchdown, and they recorded two sacks while holding the Raiders to 245 passing yards.

Jacksonville’s defense also won the battle in tackles for loss, with a +4 differential, and they outperformed the Raiders in quarterback hits. The Jaguars’ defense will be looking for more support from the offense in upcoming games, as they look to close out games and secure victories.

• Jacksonville has put together a record of 0-3 in their last three games (regular season). This includes going 1-1-1 vs. the spread along with an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Across Jacksonville’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 3-7. This includes going 4-5-1 vs. the spread along with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

Our pick vs. the spread is to take the Titans to cover as road underdogs in this week 17 matchup between the Titans and Jaguars. The point spread lines have the Titans as slight favorites, with the Jaguars at -1. Our predicted final score is 20-16 in favor of the Titans.

For the over/under line, we are leaning towards taking the under, with a projected combined score of 36 points. With the line sitting at just 41 points, there is a lot of value in taking the under in this one.

Titans and Jaguars Clash in AFC South Battle of Struggling Teams

The Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars, both enduring challenging seasons, meet Sunday in Jacksonville with more at stake than meets the eye. While the AFC South foes share a 3-12 record, this game carries implications for pride, draft positioning, and the long-term futures of their young rosters.

Titans Banking on Mason Rudolph

Tennessee enters this matchup opting for veteran backup Mason Rudolph over second-year quarterback Will Levis. While Levis has shown flashes of potential, his turnover struggles have stunted his development.

Rudolph, despite throwing three interceptions in last week’s 38-30 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, also passed for 252 yards and two touchdowns. Titans head coach Brian Callahan believes Rudolph’s decision-making gives the team a better chance to win in the short term.

“He’s got the ability to avoid the negative play when it comes to sacks,” Callahan said. “He gets the ball out. He knows where to go with it quickly.”

Tennessee’s offensive line has allowed 47 sacks this season, including 40 with Levis at the helm. While Rudolph’s quick release might mitigate that, turnovers remain an issue. The Titans lead the NFL with 32 giveaways this season.

Jaguars Lean on Emerging Star Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville is reeling from a 19-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, another team in the running for a top draft pick. Despite the struggles, rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has been a bright spot.

Thomas has shattered franchise rookie records for receptions (73), yards (1,088), and touchdowns (nine). Over the last three weeks, he’s tallied 27 catches for 323 yards, including a standout performance of nine catches for 132 yards and a touchdown against Las Vegas.

The Jaguars will once again start Mac Jones at quarterback. Jones, filling in for injured starter Trevor Lawrence, has been steady, completing 65.4 percent of his passes this season. His recent performances have helped keep Jacksonville competitive despite a depleted roster.

Injury Concerns

Both teams are limping into this matchup with key players sidelined:

• Titans:
  • WR Tyler Boyd (foot) – Did not practice
  • K Nick Folk (abdomen) – Did not practice
  • OL Dillon Radunz (shoulder) – Did not practice
  • LB Kenneth Murray Jr. (wrist) – Did not practice
• Jaguars:
  • OT Walker Little (ankle) – Did not practice
  • LB Ventrell Miller (ankle) – Did not practice
  • DT DaVon Hamilton (illness) – Did not practice

What’s at Stake

While the game might be dubbed the “Tank Bowl” due to its draft implications, both teams are playing to build momentum for next season. The Jaguars’ rookie playmakers and the Titans’ young core led by Levis represent the future, making every rep valuable for development.

Don’t miss out—explore NFL Week 17 Odds & Predictions for expert picks and analysis!

Prediction

Despite their struggles, Jacksonville’s ability to move the ball through Brian Thomas Jr. gives them the edge at home. Tennessee’s turnover woes may again prove costly, particularly against a Jaguars defense eager to capitalize.

Final Score: Jaguars 23, Titans 17