Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 29, 2024, 1:00 PM ET
Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
Network: CBS
Tennessee Titans
Quarterback
Mason Rudolph: Sit, QB2
Rudolph has actually produced decent results over the last two weeks. He did throw 3 INTs vs the Colts but countered that with two TDs and 250+ yards. He’s been far better at connecting with WR1 Calvin Ridley than Will Levis and has a solid matchup against a Jaguars secondary that allows the most fantasy points to opposing QBs.
I wouldn’t go out of my way to plug Rudolph into lineups, but he has some appeal this week and certainly makes for a solid QB2 in Superflex and two QB leagues.
Running Back
Tony Pollard: Start, RB1 (if healthy)
Tyjae Spears: Start, RB1 (if Pollard sits)
The Titans RB room has become a bit cloudy down the stretch with Tony Pollard injured. Pollard started the game and played much of the first half in Week 16 but only produced 35 rush yards and two catches before the Titans pulled him (the game was a blowout) and allowed Tyjae Spears to take over.
Spears had his second two-TD game in a row and went for 39 yards on three catches. He’s got a lot of upside as a pass-catcher and would be a clearcut RB1 if Pollard were to sit for a week.
Unfortunately, Pollard is chasing some contract incentives, so it seems likely he’ll try to play through these injuries. If he does, both RBs will be risky RB/RB3 plays vs the Jaguars, with Spears having the most upside since he’s healthier and could benefit from Pollard leaving in-game again.
Wide Receiver
Cavin Ridley: Start, WR1
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: FLEX Option, WR4
Westbrooke-Ikhine caught his 8th TD of the season last week. Four of those TDs have now come in games where Rudolph was at QB. You can’t count on him for volume, but at the same time, his TD rate has been so good this season that you can at least consider him as a flex option if you’re in a deep league without better options.
Ridley, with Mason Rudolph at QB, has averaged 84 yards and 5.25 catches per game in four full starts. The Jaguars have a terrible secondary that has allowed the second-most passing TDs this season. This is a great spot for Ridley on paper, and he has lots of potential for a ceiling day if the Jaguars can manage to put up some points and make this a higher-scoring game.
Tight End
Chig Okonkwo: Start, TE1 (low end)
Okonkwo has come on as a legit TE1 over the last two weeks. He didn’t do much in Rudolph’s first turn at QB, but over the last two weeks, with Rudolph at the helm, he’s averaged 10.5 targets and caught 17 passes.
TE is a crazy position where valuations can fluctuate wildly, and right now, Okonkwo is a player on the rise and still potentially available on waivers. If you aren’t confident in your starter for finals week, I would not hesitate to trust this surge and go get him.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Mac Jones: Sit
I’m not starting Mac Jones anywhere unless it’s a 2QB or Superflex league where better options exist. He’s been throwing for over 200 yards a game, but the TDs could evaporate any week, and he has multiple INT downside and no rushing upside.
Running Back
Travis Etienne: Sit
Tank Bigsby: Flex/RB3
Travis Etienne hasn’t scored a TD since Week 2, despite getting the start most weeks. He’s not a good early down runner, and the Jaguars don’t scheme up effective passing game routes for him. He’s an emergency flex option, I guess, but someone I’d not want to rely on.
Bigsby should be getting the start and 15+ carries every week, but the Jaguars have Stockholm syndrome with Etienne, and Bigsby’s volume has suffered as a result. Still, the potential for Bigsby to reel off big runs against a weaker team like the Titans is there, which does give him some flex appeal and makes him more viable than his teammate.
Wide Receiver
Brian Thomas Jr: Start, WR1
Parker Washington: Flex/WR4
Brian Thomas Jr. has managed to stay fantasy-relevant despite being attached to the weakest offense in the league, which is a huge testament to his overall talent. He’s now averaged nine receptions over his last three games and is the primary read for Mac Jones on almost every play (and Jones rarely goes away from his first read).
He’s not someone you’re even thinking about benching, even if the Jaguars are small favorites and may project to run the ball a little more than they have been.
Parker Washington has looked decent when given the chance to catch the ball and is somewhat of a potentially sneaky WR3/Flex start for me this week. He’s a very solid open-field runner and did show increased efficiency last week, converting all six of his targets into catches. Ideally, you don’t have to start the Jaguars WR2, but he is viable for me.
Tight End
Brenton Strange: Start, TE1 (low end)
Strange took a huge dip in usage after his Week 15 breakout. The second-year TE only saw four targets vs the Raiders (down from 13 the week prior) and also lost a fumble. He remains a potential option for finals week but is on the injury report with a shoulder issue.
I’d rather go elsewhere, but Strange is a big body that Mac Jones trusts, so the potential for a bounceback week against the Titans is there.
No mention of how yall feel with Hollywood Brown? He looked decent last week with limited reps even