Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: 3 causes for concern in Week 18

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The Tennessee Titans head south in Week 18 to close their season against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, at 12:00 p.m. CST this Sunday.

It's the final game of the 2025 NFL regular season, and with no postseason in their future, the Titans still plan to come out swinging. The improvement of the Titans from week to week over the last month has been easy to see on the field. They look like a unit that is finally on the same page. Unfortunately, it took so long to get there this season, but sometimes that's just how it goes.

The Jaguars are headed to their franchise's 9th-ever postseason appearance, and its first since 2022. Jacksonville has looked like a brand new team under Liam Coen and a healthy Trevor Lawrence. The Jags beat the Titans a couple of weeks ago, 25-3, and while the Titans don't want a repeat of that game, the odds of a win are stacked against them.

Let's take a look at three causes for concern as the Titans face the Jaguars in Week 18.

Offensive inconsistency and turnovers

Tennessee's offense has struggled to sustain offensive consistency through each game, and against the Jags' defense, which thrives on takeaways. Through 17 weeks, the Jaguars have 21 interceptions, second only to the Chicago Bears, and nine fumble recoveries. The Titans have struggled to protect the football, giving it away at least once a game, which will be a problem against this defense.

Cam Ward struggles under heavy pressure, which is something the Jaguars excel at, which has contributed to the Titans' turnover problems. The Titans' red-zone efficiency and third-down struggles also pose a problem offensively. Those two combined will make it easy for the Jaguars to get the Titans' offense off the field and unable to sustain drives, which is not what Tennessee wants.

When you combine inconsistent quarterback play with these situational inefficiencies, it’s a recipe for stalled drives and lost field position, especially against a motivated Jaguars defense.

Defensive mismatches

The Titans' defense has struggled to contain explosive offenses all season, and the Jaguars' balanced attack poses multiple threats: offensive efficiency, pressure up front, and explosive plays allowed.

Jacksonville averages over 32 points per game over its current seven-game win streak, consistently moving the ball through the pass and the run. That offensive efficiency will allow the Jaguars to have explosive plays, which Titans' defenders have been seen giving up on this season, especially against the run. That type of play will quickly change the momentum of the game and put the Titans' offense in a tough position.

On the other side, the Jaguars' ability to get pressure on the quarterback is efficient and effective. The Titans' offensive line has given up 55 sacks this season, fifth-most in the NFL.

Facing a Jaguars unit that’s strong at limiting points and generating turnovers, Tennessee’s defense is at risk of being worn down, particularly if the offense can’t sustain long drives.

Jaguars' motivation and momentum

Jacksonville is playing for the AFC South title, and they must win to do it, or they're relying on the Houston Texans to lose to the Indianapolis Colts. It's always better to control your own destiny, and holding a division title gives them a stronger seeding heading into the playoffs.

The Titans are playing for pride; they're playing to show the league that they're still improving and maybe they'll be a problem in 2026. But they don't have a postseason appearance this year, and they've struggled to build momentum from game to game. The offensive line issues and lack of sustained success this season only compound this problem.

Then there's the psychological side. As division rivals, these teams know each other inside and out. The Jaguars' confidence from their extended winning streak contrasts sharply with the Titans' desire to finish the season strong.

Tennessee enters this game as a team with nothing but pride on the line, while Jacksonville is playing for a division title and playoff positioning. This mental and situational contrast places added pressure on a Titans' squad that has fought uphill all year.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans vs. Jaguars: 3 causes for concern in Week 18

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