The Tennessee Titans will look to stave-off an epic meltdown on Saturday in Week 18 when they do battle with the Jacksonville Jaguars in a game that will decide the AFC South.
The Titans started the season 7-3 and looked to be cruising to a division title, but then Tennessee hit the skids in a big way, losing six games in a row, including their Week 17 contest against the Dallas Cowboys.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars caught fire and have now won four in a row after a win over the Houston Texans on Sunday, setting up the winner-take-all contest.
Going into the final week of the season, here’s a look at where experts are placing the Titans in their NFL power rankings for Week 18.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 22 (-6)
The Titans’ injury-riddled roster is trying to make one final push into the playoffs but it’s more likely Mike Vrabel’s team just needs to hope for some real effective personnel change next. year.
Josh Schrock, NBC Sports: 22 (+1)
Josh Dobbs got off the bus and threw for 232 yards against the Cowboys. That’s almost as many yards as rookie Malik Willis has thrown for in his three starts this season (276). The Titans can’t start Willis against the Jags in Week 18.
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: 23 (-2)
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic:
Lost to Cowboys, 27-13, to fall to 7-9. This team has lost six straight games, but will host a playoff game if it beats the Jaguars in Week 18. We don’t have much faith in them to do that.
Walter Football: 22 (+6)
The Titans will win the division if they beat the Jaguars, but they’ll have to do it with Joshua Dobbs, who at least offers an upgrade over Malik Willis. To be fair, I think anyone not named Nick Foles would be an upgrade over Willis.
Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network: 20 (-4)
Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network:
Unless the Titans find the doctors that created Steve Rogers, they’re probably going to lose seven straight games to end the season — and lose the division to Jacksonville in the process. Ryan Tannehill’s injury certainly doesn’t help the cause, but it’s far from the only reason for Tennessee’s horrific run.
The Titans have had issues all season, and it’s why Jon Robinson is no longer in the building. While their identity is almost solely Derrick Henry, the NFL is built on the passing game and the ability to separate. Tennessee’s receivers can’t consistently do that, and their offensive line hasn’t been good enough to overcome their lack of talent on the outside.
