Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, January 7th @ 1:00 PM ET
Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Betting Odds: JAX -5, 39.5 total via PFF.com
Expected Weather: Overcast
Network: CBS
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence (Start, QB2)
Week 18 is simple for the Jaguars: win and they are AFC South Champions who get to host a playoff game in Duval. A loss will either leave them as the No. 7 seed, or not making the playoffs at all. Injuries have been aplenty for Trevor Lawrence this season, and he most recently missed Week 17 against the Carolina Panthers. Lawrence logged limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday, so he’s trending toward returning to action against the Tennessee Titans. Anticipate T-Law to play through any pain in this pivotal game, and it’ll make him a QB2 for anyone in a Week 18 Final.
Running Backs
Travis Etienne Jr. (Start, RB2)
Per CBS Sports, the Titans are middle of the pack against opposing running backs this season, allowing an average of 14.75 fantasy points per game. Assuming a less-than-100-percent Lawrence is under center, look for Travis Etienne Jr. to be relied on heavily. He’s coming off a 16 for 102, 2 TD performance last week in the win against the Panthers.
In Week 11 against the Titans, he was held to 52 yards on 14 carries, adding three receptions on three targets for just seven yards. Expect him to top those numbers this time around.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Calvin Ridley (Start, WR3), Zay Jones (Sit), Evan Engram (Start, TE2)
The Tennessee pass defense is leaky, and Week 18 could open the door for a bounce-back week for Calvin Ridley. He wasn’t needed much against the Panthers last week and ultimately finished with four catches on eight targets for 39 yards from C.J. Beathard. He’s a viable WR3 as he chases 1,000 yards on the season; he’s sitting at 910.
Zay Jones hasn’t played since Week 15 with knee and hamstring injuries, and so far this week he has been a limited participant at practice. This was the case for him last week as well, and he was eventually ruled out. Even if he does play, avoid starting him.
Christian Kirk (groin) was designated to return from IR on Wednesday, and it’s left to be seen if he’s actually going to be available for this game against the Titans. It would be hard to trust him if he were to play, though. Alongside Ridley, tight end Evan Engram is the only other Jags pass catcher worth starting this week. He caught all six targets for 60 yards last week, and back in Week 11 against the Titans, he was held to 29 yards on four receptions. The Titans are the strongest unit in football against opposing tight ends, but Engram is still a must-start.
Tennessee Titans
Quarterbacks
Will Levis (Sit), Ryan Tannehill (Sit)
Will Levis is dealing with a foot injury that knocked him out of the game against the Texans last week in the first half, and while it kept him out of practice on Wednesday, he returned on Thursday in a limited capacity. Even if he suits up against Jacksonville, he won’t be a recommended streaming option. That would open the door for Ryan Tannehill to start again, but he, too, is best left on your wire.
Running Backs
Derrick Henry (Start, RB2), Tyjae Spears (Sit)
In the 26-3 loss to Houston, Derrick Henry was held to 42 yards on 12 carries. It was his lowest carry total since Week 11, when the Titans faced this same Jaguars team. On that day, King Henry managed just 10 carries and rushed for a mere 38 yards, a total more befitting of a peasant. You can still deploy Henry; he has not been the automatic, reliable option this season that he once was. Tyjae Spears has flashed this year, but he’s not a ‘back worth considering this week either, despite being the next in line behind Henry.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
DeAndre Hopkins (Start, WR3), Chigoziem Okonwko (Sit)
DeAndre Hopkins is chasing some incentive money this week:
- He is seven receptions away from $250K
- He is 49 receiving yards away for $250K
- And he is two touchdowns away for $250K
One would suspect Levis and/or Tannehill will look to get ‘Nuk any, if not all, of his bonuses. Even this aside, Hopkins has been the only Titans pass-catcher worth considering starting all season long. Tight end Chigoziem Okonwko will hope for better days in 2024. He was a draft-season darling, but enters the final week of the season with just 492 receiving yards on 52 catches and one touchdown.