UPDATE: They did it.
While the Tennessee Titans have nothing to play for when it comes to the playoffs, they do have an opportunity to play spoiler and prevent the Jacksonville Jaguars from making the postseason.
Now that the Pittsburgh Steelers knocked off the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, there is only one path for the Jaguars to get to the playoffs:
They must beat the Titans.
Doing so would secure the AFC South title, which is currently in the hands of the Houston Texans after they defeated the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday. Houston will make the playoffs regardless of Sunday’s result.
If the Jaguars lose, they will miss the playoffs entirely, as their avenue to lose and still get in was blocked once the Steelers won. Pittsburgh will be the beneficiary if the Titans upset Jacksonville.
Draft position is paramount for the Titans, who currently sit in the No. 7 spot but could move up to as high as No. 4 with a loss and some help.
A win would mean the highest the Titans can pick is No. 7, but they can also fall to No. 8 if the New York Jets lose.
A spot in either direction could be the difference between the Titans landing a top left tackle or not, so I’d much rather see the Titans lose to give themselves a chance to get the highest pick possible.
But seeing Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry turn back the clock and win to prevent the Jaguars from making the playoffs wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize.
