The Tennessee Titans were instrumental in Week 18, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars to eliminate them from the AFC playoffs with a 28-20 home win on Sunday.
Not only does the Jaguars’ loss give the Houston Texans the AFC South title after their win over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night to make the playoffs, but the Buffalo Bills don’t have a win-and-win mantra. enter against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. night because they have clinched a playoff spot anyway.
Additionally, the Pittsburgh Steelers are grateful for their win over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday and loss to Jacksonville on Sunday.
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Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans runs off the field after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on January 7, 2024. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Trailing by eight in the fourth quarter, Jacksonville got a much-needed turnover when Andre Cisco intercepted a pass from Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill to set up Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence with a wonderful position in the field and a chance to tie the game with a touchdown and two points. conversion. This came after Lawrence connected with tight end Evan Engram for a touchdown pass that reduced the lead.
Lawrence was able to find receiver Zay Jones for a six-yard pickup on second-and-goal to put the Jaguars at the one-yard line with two touchdown opportunities.
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But the third-and-goal pass went through the back of the end zone, making it a must-have fourth-and-goal for the Jaguars on the next play. Head coach Doug Pederson called for the quarterback to scramble and Lawrence attempted to jump over his offensive line to reach the ball across the goal line.
But the Titans defense shut him down by stopping Lawrence before he could do so.
The Jaguars would have another chance to tie the game with two minutes left, but turned the ball over just four plays later.
Calvin Ridley, who caught a touchdown pass from Lawrence early in the game, was open on 2nd-and-2, which would have set the Jags up well, but he was out of reach.
DeAndre Hopkins of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on January 7, 2024. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
The Jaguars couldn’t believe the result and, unfortunately for them, they will have a lot of time to reflect with no games scheduled for next week.
Titans running back Derrick Henry has likely played his last game in Nashville after eight seasons with the Titans as he is set to enter free agency; and he came out with a patented “King Henry” performance of 153 yards on 19 carries with a touchdown to help his team win.
Henry addressed the crowd after the game, thanking them for their support and hoping he has been an inspiration to the community over the years.
DeAndre Hopkins also had a game of note as he needed 39 receiving yards to reach 1,050 for the season, which would trigger a $250,000 incentive. He had seven receptions for 46 yards. The seven sacks secured another $250,000 incentive as he had 75 on the year.
Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half against the Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on January 7, 2024. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
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For the Jaguars, Lawrence was 29 of 43 for 280 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions while dealing with a shoulder injury throughout the game. Ridley had 106 yards on just six catches, and Engram was Lawrence’s top target with 10 catches on 13 attempts.
