Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) vs. Tennessee Titans (5-11)
As the NFL regular season nears an end, Jacksonville Jaguars head to Nissan Stadium for their Week 18 matchup against Tennessee Titans in Week 18. While Jacksonville currently stands at 9-7 and Tennessee have struggled this year with 5-11 records respectively; Sunday will provide ample opportunity for those searching for Super Bowl winning picks as both sides attempt to strengthen their playoff positions while ending on an impressive note.
C.J. Beathard has led Jacksonville’s offense with a 75.5% completion rate, 349 passing yards, and a 98.7 passer rating over seven games played so far this season. Though his yardage may not stand out much from others in his division, his efficiency has been vitally important. Their running attack is their true strength: Travis Etienne Jr has amassed 951 yards and 11 touchdowns while Calvin Ridley stands out with 70 catches totalling 910 yards and seven touchdowns to date – making him an essential weapon against any opposing defense!
On the flipside, Tennessee has relied on veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Over 9 games, Tannehill completed 64.7% of his passes for 1,448 yards but had an insufficient touchdown count and high sack rate – though Derrick Henry led their rushing attack with 1,014 yards and 11 touchdowns; DeAndre Hopkins has also been an asset grabbing 68 receptions for 1,011 yards with 6 touchdowns – providing valuable veteran presence and reliability on offense for Tennessee.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans Game Info
When | Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 1:00 PM ET |
Where | Nissan Stadium |
TV | CBS |
Stream | NFL Game Pass |
C.J. Beathard QB vs. Ryan Tannehill QB
C.J. Beathard has been an efficient, conservative passer for the Jaguars. He maintains an impressive 75.5% completion percentage, showing consistency getting the ball to his playmakers. Beathard averages a solid 6.6 yards per pass attempt, right in line with some of the better quarterbacks in the league. Most importantly, he has thrown just 1 touchdown pass against 0 interceptions over 49.9 passing yards per game. While not asked to carry the offense, Beathard’s 98.7 passer rating reveals his prowess avoiding mistakes and costly turnovers while keeping drives alive. Facing a Titans defense, the veteran quarterback should have plenty of opportunities to sustain drives through the air or by handing off to his talented running back.
Ryan Tannehill has endured struggles across the board for Tennessee this season. In the 9 games he was healthy for, Tannehill completed only 64.7% of his attempts while averaging just 7.1 yards per pass. His 6 interceptions in that span show shaky decision-making with the football in his hands. While he was able to produce 160.9 passing yards per contest, he recorded a dreadful 2:6 touchdown to interception ratio that left the Titans playing from behind more often than not. Tannehill has also taken a beating, being sacked 30 times including 214 lost yards. His 76.6 passer rating ranks among the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Facing a Jaguars defense allowing the 7th fewest passing yards per game, Tannehill could endure another long day especially if his offensive line cannot protect him adequately or his receivers fail to generate consistent separation.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Jacksonville Jaguars -225, Total Odds: 40
The Jaguars are favored in the betting odds, reflecting their better record and performance this season. The total points set at 40 suggests expectations for a moderately scoring game, influenced by both teams’ offensive and defensive capabilities.
Jacksonville Jaguars Betting Trends
Jacksonville has struggled against the spread down the stretch, going 1-4 ATS over their last 5. The total has gone UNDER in 6 of their last 9, showing a tendency for low-scoring affairs. However, the Jags are 9-2 ATS over their last 11 road contests, so they could be poised for a strong showing in Tennessee.
Tennessee Titans Betting Trends
Tennessee has gone UNDER the total in 15 of their last 20 matchups, continuing a strong trend toward low-scoring games. They are 8-1 SU over their last 9 home games against Jacksonville, defending their turf well in this rivalry. But the Titans have struggled mightily ATS this season, posting a poor 3-8-1 mark.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans 1/7/24 Betting Picks
Considering the trends and team dynamics, the Jaguars seem to be the better team on paper and are likely to carry the day. Their stronger offensive play, led by Etienne and Ridley, gives them the edge over the Titans.
For bettors looking at top betting sites, the Jaguars seem like a solid pick, given their road ATS record. The over/under is tricky, but given both teams’ recent trends, the under might be a safer bet. Prop bets on key players like Etienne and Henry could provide additional interest due to their consistent performances.