Jaguars Roll Past Titans, Set Stage for AFC South Showdown
The Jacksonville Jaguars did exactly what they were supposed to do on Sunday - take care of business. With a convincing 25-3 win over the Tennessee Titans, the Jags now sit at 8-4, perched atop the AFC South as we head into December. And while the final score tells the story of a one-sided affair, the way Jacksonville got there - and what lies ahead - is where things get interesting.
A Game That Followed the Script
This one didn’t come with many surprises. The Titans opened with a solid 11-play, 70-yard drive that resulted in a field goal and a brief 3-0 lead.
But from that point on, it was all Jacksonville. The Jaguars answered right away with a touchdown drive of their own, then pounced on a Titans fumble during the ensuing kickoff.
Three plays later, it was 15-3, and the momentum never shifted back.
From there, the game settled into a bit of a slog. The next six drives?
All three-and-outs. In total, there were nine three-and-outs between the two teams.
It wasn’t pretty football - unless you’re a defensive coordinator - but it was effective. Jacksonville didn’t need flash.
They just needed control. And they had it.
A Fourth-Quarter Scuffle Adds Some Fire
Things got chippy late. Jaguars punter Logan Cooke took exception to Titans running back Julius Chestnut finishing a block well after the whistle.
A flag had already been thrown on Chestnut, but Cooke made sure his displeasure was known - and that sparked a brief scuffle. When the dust settled, offsetting personal fouls were handed out to Cooke and long snapper Ross Matiscik, while Titans safety Mike Brown got tossed from the game.
It didn’t change the outcome, but it added a little edge to an otherwise lopsided affair.
Meyers Making His Mark
One of the bright spots for Jacksonville was wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who’s quietly becoming a reliable target for Trevor Lawrence. Meyers caught all six of his targets for 90 yards and a touchdown - his second straight game finding the end zone.
After expressing his desire to leave Las Vegas, Meyers has made the most of his new opportunity in Jacksonville. He’s not just fitting in - he’s producing.
Tight end Brenton Strange also made his presence felt, pulling in three catches and a touchdown. It’s a promising sign for the rookie, who’s working his way back into the offense after a stint on injured reserve. With Strange rounding into form and Meyers settling in, Lawrence is getting more weapons at just the right time.
December Football Gets Real
Now comes the real test. The Colts lost to the Texans on Sunday, dropping to 8-4 - same as the Jaguars.
But thanks to a better record in common games, Jacksonville holds the tiebreaker. That makes next week’s home matchup against Indianapolis a massive one in the AFC South race.
And it doesn’t stop there. These two teams will meet again on December 28 in Indianapolis, meaning the division could come down to that final head-to-head.
But don’t forget about Houston. At 7-5, the Texans are lurking just behind and could still crash the party.
They’ve only got one division game left - a Week 18 showdown against the Colts - but that could be a decider if things stay tight.
Titans Trending Toward the Top... of the Draft
As for the Titans, this loss only strengthens their grip on the NFL’s worst record. They’re the only one-win team in the league and now have roughly a 59% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick, per NFL simulations. It’s been a tough season in Tennessee, and Sunday’s performance didn’t offer much hope for a turnaround.
What’s Next
For the Jaguars, everything is still in front of them. They’ve taken care of the games they’re supposed to win - like this one - and now they get a chance to prove they belong among the AFC’s elite.
December football is about identity, execution, and resilience. Jacksonville’s got the pieces.
Now we’ll see if they’ve got the staying power.