The Jacksonville Jaguars are one win away from clinching the AFC South and securing a home playoff game — a historic achievement for first-year head coach Liam Coen and a defining moment for Trevor Lawrence’s legacy.
Even before he finishes his first regular season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Liam Coen has made NFL history. With last week’s 23-17 win at Indianapolis, he became the first first-year head coach in league history to inherit a team that won four or fewer games the prior season and lead it to 12-plus wins.
He will look to add another notable accomplishment on Sunday when the Jaguars (12-4) host the Tennessee Titans (3-13) with the ability to clinch the AFC South and at least one home playoff game with a win. A Houston Texans home loss to the Indianapolis Colts would also clinch the division, but the easier and likelier path is a Jacksonville victory.
The Jaguars enter the Week 18 finale on a seven-game winning streak. That’s been a necessity to preserve their one-game division lead over the Texans, who have won their last eight games.
“We had to win all those games to get to this point to have the opportunity to continue to control the division and keep it in our hands,” Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. “That’s what we did. None bigger than this (game).”
A Jacksonville offense which had scored 34-plus points in its last three games and 24-plus points in eight straight hit a bit of a wall against the Colts. The offense amassed 370 yards — its fourth most in a game this season — but three turnovers inside the Colts’ 25 stymied the Jaguars’ scoring.
Lawrence threw his first interception in five games and had just his third game without a touchdown this season, his first since Week 9 vs. Las Vegas.
Jacksonville’s defense picked up the slack, allowing just seven points over Indianapolis’ final nine possessions after Indianapolis leapt out to a 10-0 lead on its first two drives.
With two fourth-quarter interceptions, the Jaguars defense is up to 21 on the season, tying the franchise record and the second most in the NFL.
That defense will be tested by talented rookie QB Cam Ward, who appears to be coming into his own as his first season with the Titans comes to an end.
The No. 1 overall pick had no games with multiple passing touchdowns through his first 12 starts, racking up seven TD passes and six interceptions.
He enters his rookie farewell with two TD passes in each of his last four games with just one interception over that span.
“The key is to be playing your best football at the end of the year so when you walk off the field at the end of the year, you know you got better every week and you’re (trending up),” Titans interim coach Mike McCoy said. “That’s what (Ward) is doing.”
Rookie receivers Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor each have two touchdowns over the last four games to remain tied for the team lead with four, as Tennessee’s youth movement starts to show some fruit for whoever is hired to replace Brian Callahan.
The Titans have won two of their last four games since a 1-11 start, nearly finding their first winning streak of the season last week before blowing a 13-0 lead in a 34-26 loss to New Orleans.
Even with the loss, Tennessee lost its path to a second-straight No. 1 overall pick last week. The Titans enter Week 18 in position to have the No. 4 overall pick. Unless the Giants or Jets pull off an upset, that’s likely the spot they’ll remain in due to strength of schedule.
Jacksonville was down two starting offensive linemen last week, center Robert Hainsey (groin) and right guard Patrick Mekari (back). Mekari was ruled out for the Tennessee game while Hainsey’s status was unspecified after he practiced in full for the first time this week on Friday. Linebacker Jalen McLeod (ankle) has also been scratched.
Five Titans will miss the game, including starting linebacker Arden Key (hip) and starting cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (Achilles). Also out are tight end Gunnar Helm (toe), wide receiver Van Jefferson (forearm) and linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo (fibula). Safety Amani Hooker (ankle/toe) is doubtful, while linebacker Ali Gaye (knee) and wide receiver Bryce Oliver (knee) are questionable.
For the Jaguars, this is more than a divisional game. It’s the culmination of a season that began with a 4-13 record and ended with a franchise-record 12 wins. Coen’s leadership, Lawrence’s resilience, and a defense that has become the heartbeat of the team have turned a rebuilding project into a playoff contender.
For the Titans, this is a chance to end their season with dignity. Cam Ward’s development, the emergence of young receivers, and the resilience shown in recent games suggest a bright future — even if it doesn’t include a playoff berth this year.
As the clock ticks down in Week 18, the Jaguars’ path to home-field advantage is clear: a win over Tennessee. The stakes couldn’t be higher — and the story, as always, is about the journey, the grit, and the belief that even the most improbable teams can rewrite their destiny.
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