NASHVILLE – The Titans will face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch in the contest:
More Will Levis Momentum
Titans quarterback Will Levis has provided some encouraging signs over the last four games. Since returning from his right shoulder injury, Levis has thrown for 211.0 yards per game with eight touchdowns, three interceptions and a 94.1 rating. That's compared to a 151.0-yard average, four passing touchdowns and six interceptions, with a 72.8 rating in his first five starts. Levis has made some big plays as well. How about this nugget: The average distance of Levis' 12 passing touchdowns this season is 32.0 yards, and that's the highest among any player with at least 10 passing touchdowns this season. The Titans want to see Levis keep it going.
Protect the QB
The chances of Levis having success go up, of course, if he has time to operate. We all know that hasn't been the case a lot of Sundays. In the last four games, Levis has been sacked 22 times, the most over a four-game span for any Titans/Oilers quarterback since Hall of Famer Warren Moon (24 times in 1985). Per NextGenStats, Levis has a 1-4 pass-INT and 54.3 rating when under pressure in 2024 compared to a 11-5 pass TD-INT and 102.5 rating when not pressured. The Titans need to do a more consistent job protecting their quarterback.
NWI Success
Titans receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has been on a roll. Westbrook-Ikhine has eight touchdowns in his last eight games, making him the first Titans receiver to do so since A.J. Brown in Weeks 5-12 in 2020. NWI has eight touchdowns on just 20 receptions in 2024, with 365 receiving yards. How's this for a stat: NWI's 40 percent rate of receptions resulting in touchdowns is tied for the highest in the Super Bowl era (minimum 20 receptions). Can he keep it going?
Stop the Run
The Titans didn't show up in the run game against the Commanders. In that contest, the run defense allowed 267 yards on the ground. It was a gut-punch, and a reality-check performance for a unit that's always prided itself with its work against the run. The Titans are now ranked 16th in the NFL in run defense, allowing 120.1 yards per game. Before the Commanders game, the run defense was ranked 8th, allowing 106.7 ypg. The group will need to be better on Sunday. The Jaguars, behind running backs Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne, are averaging 4.48 yards per carry, which is 12th in the NFL.
Can the Titans Fix Their Mistakes?
The Titans are also coming off a game when they committed 12 penalties for 93 yards. The Titans are rank second in the NFL in penalties, with 100 on the season. The team ranks fifth in the NFL in penalty yards, with 758 yards through 12 games. The Titans have also made a number of blunders in the return game, turning the ball over. This week, Coach Brian Callahan mentioned Mason Kinsey as a possibility to replace Jha'Quan Jackson on punts, but he wasn't ready to announce an official move after practice on Friday, a day before Kinsey was officially signed to the active roster. If the change is in fact made, will it cure some of the recent woes there? Stay tuned. This much is certain: The Titans need to clean up their mistakes to enhance their chances of winning.
Importance of Week 14
Callahan said before the Washington game his team wasn't dead yet. Now at 3-9, let's face it, things aren't looking good. The Titans haven't been eliminated from playoff contention yet, but it's close. On Sunday, the Titans are a 3 ½-point favorite over the Jaguars. Another nugget: The Titans are 19-6 against the Jaguars at home since 1999. Tennessee is looking to become the fourth team with 20 or more home wins against an opponent since 1999, joining the Packers (20 vs Lions), Vikings (20 vs Lions) and Steelers (23 vs Browns). For draft fans, this is a stat I'll now start to include: The Titans are currently projected to hold the eighth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, while the Jaguars are protected to hold the third overall pick. The outcome of Sunday's game will change things.
