NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
The Titans are coming off a 27-23 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and the team is now 8-7. The Titans are faced with a win-and-in playoff scenario.
The Jaguars, meanwhile, are coming off a 44-33 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The Jaguars are 10-5, and they've already secured the AFC South title. The Titans beat the Jaguars 37-16 earlier this season.
This week, I caught up with Ryan O'Halloran, who covers the Jaguars for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ryanohalloran, and join over 24,500 others.
Here's how our conversation went…
Wyatt: Hey Ryan. I appreciate you doing this again. This is obviously a huge game for the Titans. The Jaguars, meanwhile, are locked in as the No.3 seed. I saw where Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said yesterday: "Make no mistake about it ... when the players come in tomorrow, we're going to play to win this game. Period." What do you think the team's approach will be for Sunday's game?
O'Halloran: Well, I guess I was a little surprised Doug was so strong in his wording on that, being it's so early in the week. But I think there will be some hidden caveats. I don't think they are going to push anybody who is already injured – so I wouldn't expect to see Marqise Lee with the ankle. And I think the key thing is you're going to see a lot of their veterans start the game, but they may go a little deeper in the rotation at defensive line or tight end, and at receiver they'll play everybody. I think that is the right mindset for the Jaguars to have, and I think a lot of it has to do with just how poorly they played against San Francisco. This is a young team, and you don't want to go in the playoff with a two-game losing streak. So I think a lot about this week is about regaining some of the momentum they had during the previous win streak.
Wyatt: I know Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles has faced intense scrutiny over the course of his career, but he's had a solid year – 3,529 passing yards, with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The Jaguars are known for their No.3 ranked defense and No.1 ranked rushing attack, but how much credit does Bortles get for the team's turnaround?
O'Halloran: I think Blake deserves credit because he has thrown for over 300 yards a couple of times, and he's posted a 100 passer rating a couple of times, and when you are putting up numbers like that, you are more than a game manager. They have had to throw it a little bit more often in the last month because their running game hasn't been great. But his completion percentage has improved, and up until last week he had not thrown a pick-6, which was a problem earlier in his career. Up until last week he was having a great month of December, and I think it is important for him to get back on track this week.
Wyatt: How surprised are you with the team's overall team success? This is Jacksonville's first AFC South title, and their first division title since the 1999 season.
O'Halloran: Very surprised. I had them going 6-10, and I thought I was being optimistic. There were so many unknowns on the roster, combined with a new coaching staff. But their defense jelled together a lot quicker than I thought they would – they played well right away. And the offensive line has held up in pass protection. And their quarterback has been better than anticipated. So they've found the perfect storm a little bit. After starting 3-3 they got hot, they lost a game, and then they got hot again. They seem to be a well-rounded team, with defense, takeaways and sacks, the offense with the run game, and special teams.
Wyatt: I want to ask you about Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who grew up in the Nashville area and played at Brentwood Academy. How has he been in Year 2?
O'Halloran: Ramsey is a fantastic player. He can cover inside, he can cover outside, and about a month into the season the Jaguars coaches made the decision to just let him go with the other team's best receiver the majority of the time. So they put him on A.J. Green, they put him on Doug Baldwin, they had him on Marquise Goodwin last week in San Francisco. He's faced T.Y. Hilton of Indianapolis. And he's been up to the task. And I think he rises to that challenge because he wants the ball thrown his way. He wants to face the best each week. He is a Pro Bowl starter, and that is very much deserved.
Wyatt: So who has been the MVP of this relentless defense?
O'Halloran: I'll go with (defensive end) Calais Campbell because of the impact he's made. He leads the team in sacks (14.5), and is in the top two or three in the league in sacks, and he is a very durable player. He has played well against the run, and he has brought a lot off the field. He has brought a winning mentality from Arizona to here, and I think that has helped the locker room a lot.
Wyatt: OK, last thing here. These two teams go way back. There's a rivalry that dates back to 1999, when the Titans beat the Jaguars three times and went to the Super Bowl. The Titans beat the Jaguars down there in Week 2 of this season, after the Jaguars ended Tennessee's playoff hopes last year with a win in Week 16. How much do you think the Jaguars would love to end Tennessee's season win a win on Sunday?
O'Halloran: Well, I haven't heard that talk yet. But if I'm a Jaguar person, I don't want to face a team two straight weeks regardless of who they are, especially if that team has won the week before. So if you want to eliminate a division rival, maybe it is an added bonus. But what's most important for the Jaguars this week: Can they put together a solid game on Sunday that they can go into the playoffs not having to address a lot of issues and they feel like everything else is ready to go.
TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) celebrates after making a first down against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) celebrates with teammates after Byard intercepted a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars to stop their final drive in the last seconds of the fourth quarter in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 15-10. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The Philadelphia Eagles line up against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The Philadelphia Eagles lines up against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) celebrates after making a catch for a first down in the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 15-10. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
The Tennessee Titans line up against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Jayon Brown (55) celebrates after recovering a fumble by Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Keelan Cole in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, file photo, Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) celebrates with Wesley Woodyard (59) and Ben Jones (60) after intercepting a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars to stop their final drive in the last seconds of the fourth quarter in an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. Bayard heads into his first playoff game Saturday in Kansas City leading the NFL in takeaways with 10 and tied for the league-lead with eight interceptions. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
Marcus Mariota, quarterback de los Titans de Tennessee, trata de escaparse de Myles Jack, de los Jaguars de Jacksonville, durante el partido del domingo 31 de diciembre de 2017 (AP Foto/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Derrick Morgan (91) pressures Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars to stop their final drive in the last seconds of the fourth quarter in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 15-10. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) scores a touchdown on a 66-yard pass play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) celebrates with offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) and center Ben Jones (60) after Henry scored a touchdown on a 66-yard pass play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) scores a touchdown on a 66-yard pass play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles against the Jacksonville Jaguars defense during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler (56) tackles Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) rushes for yardage as offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, right, blocks Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Titans won 9-6. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Tennessee Titans prepare to snap the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) looks for a receiver as he is pressured by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler (56) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans tight end Luke Stocker (88) breaks away from Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith (50) after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Titans won 9-6. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) sheds Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Malik Jackson (97) on a first quarter run in an NFL game Sunday, September 23, 2018 in Jacksonville, Fl. (Rick Wilson via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dede Westbrook (12) is stopped by Tennessee Titans defensive backs Kenny Vaccaro, left, and Logan Ryan after a reception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Josh Wells (72) sets up to block against Tennessee Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) runs in front of Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, rear, and defensive back A.J. Bouye (21) after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Titans won 9-6. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans, left, line up for a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) greets fans after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
The NFL broadcasters work as Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) and Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan (77) are interviewed after an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Fox broadcaster Erin Andrews speaks with Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
FILE - In this Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, file photo, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown past Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) during the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. Unthinkable at the start of December, Henry has piled up a franchise-record 408 yards over his past two games to put the Titans running back 118 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard rushing season. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Leon Jacobs (48) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Henry scored a touchdown on the 99-yard run. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry speaks to fans at the NFL broadcast booth after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 30-9. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
El running back de los Titans de Tennessee, Derrick Henry (22), corre y desplaza con un brazo al safety de los Jaguars de Jacksonville, Tashaun Gipson (39), durante la segunda mitad de un juego de la NFL, el jueves 6 de diciembre de 2018, en Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Leon Jacobs (48) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Henry scored a touchdown on the 99-yard run. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown against Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
