Game Info
Kickoff: 2024, 12, 08, 2024, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Network: CBS
Writer: Geoff Ulrich (@thefantasygrind on Twitter)
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Mac Jones: Sit
I mean, it’s Mac Jones. He did throw for two TDs last week, but do you really want to rely on that happening again? The Titans aren’t the worst matchup in the world, but this really boils down to choice as well. The QB on the other side has better upside, a better matchup, and is also available in a lot of leagues. There are also options like Cooper Rush and Russell Wilson on a lot of waiver wires. Jones just isn’t viable unless you’re in a bind in a Superflex or two QB league.
Running Back
Travis Etienne: FLEX Option, RB3
Tank Bigsby: Sit
There was a point in the season where it looked like Tank Bigsby might end the season as a top-10 RB and the clear lead of this backfield. That simply hasn’t transpired, as the Jaguars didn’t move Travis Etienne at the deadline and have increased his workload down the stretch. Etienne enters this game having taken 10+ carries in three straight games, and remains the team’s preferred long down and distance back. The Titans have been tough on opposing RBs this season but did allow some massive plays to Brian Robinson Jr. last week. Ultimately, Etienne is a borderline RB2 (who I would rather not start) but viable FLEX play in PPR leagues, given the potentially favorable game script that will likely see Jacksonville trailing late and in plenty of passing-down situations.
Wide Receiver
Brian Thomas Jr.: Start, WR2
Parker Washington: FLEX Option, WR3
Brian Thomas Jr. looks over his mid-season injury issues that slowed down his production for a few games. He is working with one of the worst QB situations in the league but has a 25% target share over his two starts and averaged 8.5 targets over that span. Even with a poor conversion rate, he was still able to post 4 receptions, 76 yards, and a TD last week against the Texans, and the Titans’ secondary has been hit hard by injuries this season. I see Thomas as a strong WR2 this week and a player you should trust despite the less-than-deal QB.
The Jaguars have a barren depth chart behind Thomas, so Parker Washington is, surprisingly, a player who deserves some attention as well. He’s taken a lot of Christian Kirk‘s slot snaps, and given Mac Jones’ arm limitations, he could see a boatload of targets the rest of the way. I wouldn’t expect 12 targets every week, but he has FLEX appeal for those dealing with bye week issues and injuries.
Tight End
Evan Engram: Start, TE1
Evan Engram hasn’t topped 50 yards since Week 6, but he has caught 5+ passes in four straight games. Much like Washington, Engram has some appeal with Jones, who certainly will look to keep things conservative with short passes when possible and not expose himself to the Titans pass rush. Just given how volatile TE can be, Engram’s consistent target share makes him pretty valuable in the grand scheme of things, although I wouldn’t hesitate to sit him if you had a similar option with higher TD and yards after the catch upside.
Tennessee Titans
Quarterback
Will Levis: Start, QB1
There is undoubtedly some risk with using Will Levis, especially given how big a week it is in the fantasy season, but he has upside. The Jaguars have allowed the most fantasy points per game and the second most passing TDs to opposing QBs this season. Further, Levis has started to turn a corner of late. He’s averaged 261 yards, 8.51 yards per attempt, and 1.66 passing TDs over his last three starts while also displaying some rushing upside (19 rushing yards per game in 2024).
I wouldn’t be sitting any big names to get Levis in my lineup, but on a week where Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels are on bye, I do prefer him to other mid-level QBs (Caleb Williams, Cooper Rush) who people may be considering as a bye week fill-in.
Running Back
Tony Pollard: Start, RB2
Tyjae Spears: Sit
Tony Pollard was a big letdown last week, but he was also up against a much more competent opponent whose QB took control of the game early and never allowed the Titans’ run game to get in a rhythm. That seems far less likely to happen this week with the Jaguars on the schedule, who have now allowed 12 rushing TDs this season, the fifth-most in the league. It’s also very encouraging for Pollard owners to see that Tyjae Spears‘ comeback was a bit of a dud. Even in a game flow that would have favored him seeing more snaps, Pollard still took 40 snaps to Spears’ 14, with Spears seeing just a single touch in the entire game.
To me, Pollard sets up as an ideal RB2 this week (or RB1 on a team with weaker RBs), while Spears would be nothing more than a desperation play in deeper leagues. He still has handcuff value, but even with the weaker Jaguars as the opponent, there isn’t a big part of me that would want to start both Titans RBs unless my hand was forced.
Wide Receiver
Calvin Ridley: Start, WR1
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: FLEX Option, WR3
Tyler Boyd: Sit
Calvin Ridley is a player who sets up as a potential league winner for the rest of the season, and it starts this week against the Jaguars. He has a 24% target share on the season, but it’s his downfield usage that stands out. Ridley’s 46% season-long air yards share is massive, and he’ll be going against a Jaguars secondary that doesn’t have a standout corner and has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing WRs. You don’t want to bump a player up too much just based on matchup, but he is someone I would feel good about starting over some bigger names this week,who may be in poor weather games or have much tougher opponents.
It’s hard to know what to do with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine at this point, as the guy just won’t stop scoring TDs. The thing is, this is a trend that could keep on keeping on, as he has another great matchup and is a lock to play 90% of the snaps every week thanks to the Titans’ horrid depth chart. I’d rather not have to rely on him scoring again, but he’s certainly FLEX-worthy in this matchup and someone to consider starting over less reliable WRs/RBs in timeshare.
Tyler Boyd has started to become more of a thing lately but just has limited downfield usage and after-the-catch ability. You can likely do better than him in a pinch.
Tight End
Chigoziem Okonkwo: Streaming Option, TE2
Okonkwo has started to get more involved with Levis back in the mix, and he is a TE with some athleticism. 70-yard TDs won’t be an every-week occurrence, but the matchup is a plus for him, and his six targets last week were a season high. He’s nowhere near a must-start unless you’re in a deep league and have major TE injury issues, but the chance is there for him to be the sneaky fantasy star this week from the Titans’ receiving core.