Jaguars Game Preview vs. Titans: Analysis, prediction, TV info

The Jaguars and Titans are out of playoff contention, but jobs for 2013 could be on the line in this contest.

By Daniel Lewis

Dec 28, 2012 at 11:38 am ET • 3 min read

Titans at Jaguars -- Week 17

Where: LP Field, Nashville, Tenn. (grass, outdoors)

When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Forecast: Temperatures in the low 40s; mostly sunny

Records: Jaguars (2-13; AFC South 2-3); Titans (5-10; AFC South 0-5)

Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Nov. 25, 2012: Jaguars 24, Titans 19; Dec. 24, 2011: Titans 23, Jaguars 17 Series record: Titans hold a 20-16 edge.

What matters: Nothing matters in this game in terms of the postseason or divisional standings. The Titans and Jags are both well out of playoff contention and Jacksonville is locked into last in the AFC South with the Titans just ahead of it in third. It’s more about job security for players and the coaches. Tennessee’s Mike Munchak and Jacksonville’s Mike Mularkey have felt the heat after disappointing seasons. Both rosters are in need of a lot of change as well. Many players could be playing to prove they deserve to stick around.

Who matters: Both teams have struggled to find consistency from the quarterback position. Jacksonville's Chad Henne has been hot or cold in recent weeks, but he’s coming off a relatively strong performance against New England, completing 29 of 51 passes (56.8 percent) for 348 yards and a touchdown. However, he also threw three interceptions -- a sign of his inconsistency. For Tennessee, Jake Locker is coming off one of the worst games of his young career. He only completed 13 of 30 passes (43.3 percent) for 140 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Though just in his first season as the full-time starter, Locker has struggled with accuracy and timing.

Key matchup: Stopping the Titans starts with keeping RB Chris Johnson under control. The Jaguars did a good job of that in the first meeting with Tennessee this year. Johnson had 21 carries for 80 yards and just one long run (31 yards) in the Nov. 25 matchup. Johnson’s numbers are down overall this season, but he’s still one of the fastest players in the NFL. The responsibility for stopping him falls mainly on the front seven. Once he accelerates past the first two levels, there’s a strong chance nobody will be catching him.

Injuries of note: RB Maurice Jones-Drew (foot) has been running on the side, but he hadn’t returned to practice as of Thursday afternoon. There’s a chance he could get a few carries, but the best guess is that he’ll be out on Sunday. G Uche Nwaneri (concussion) is questionable. WR Cecil Shorts (concussion), S Dwight Lowery (foot) and RB Rashad Jennings (shoulder) were all placed on injured reserve this week, ending their seasons.

Inside stuff: It’s usually not a good sign when the team’s best player is the punter. That could be the case for the Jaguars. Rookie P Bryan Anger came the closest of any Jag to make the Pro Bowl (second alternate). He’s averaged 47.9 yards per punt this season, good for eighth in the NFL. "He’s done a lot of things that I haven’t seen a rookie punter or a lot of punters do," Mularkey told the team’s official website this week.

Connections: Titans DC Jerry Gray was one of Mularkey’s assistants in Buffalo from 2004-05. Jags FB Greg Jones and Titans DE Kamerion Wimbley were teammates at Florida State.

Stat you should know: The Jags are 30^th in the NFL in rushing with an average of just 83.1 yards per game. They are using their fourth starting RB this season, Montell Owens, after a rash of injuries knocked out their first three.

Looking ahead: The season will be over for both teams after Week 17.

Prediction: Titans 21, Jaguars 20

For more Jaguars news and analysis, follow Daniel Lewis @CBSJags.