Who ordered a Week 18 matchup with serious implications on one team’s odds to make the NFL playoffs this Sunday, January 7? Because, well, the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars are ready to deliver your five-course meal.
- What: Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Date: Sunday, January 7, 2024
- Time: 1 p.m. eastern standard time
- Where: Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee
- Point Spread: Jaguars (-5.5), Titans (+5.5)
Both Jacksonville and Tennessee are closing out what can only be described as turbulent or up-and-down regular seasons. Their offenses have underachieved, and their overall performances have been maddeningly inconsistent. That can make this game tough to predict. And yet, the latest NFL online betting odds are giving a decided edge to Jaguars, even though they’re playing on the road:
Always remember to double-check these online NFL betting odds until you actually submit your wager. Our Titans vs. Jaguars betting odds are accurate entering Wednesday, January 3. That gives the best NFL online betting sites plenty of time to make adjustments leading into opening kick-off on January 7.
This is one of those Week 18 matchups in which you’ll want to brace for material movement. The current Jaguars vs. Titans betting odds seem to be pricing in that Trevor Lawrence will start under center for Jacksonville. But his availability is not a given. He missed the Jaguars’ Week 17 victory with a sprained right AC joint, and head coach Doug Pedersen was noncommittal when most recently asked about his status for Sunday’s matchup.
Should the uncertainty surrounding the QB1’s availability change how you bet on the Jaguars vs. Titans outcome? Or do the oddsmakers have it right? And most importantly, what needs to happen for Jacksonville to keep their respective playoff hopes alive? Let’s get into it all right now.
Can You Trust the Jacksonville Jaguars to Beat the Tennessee Titans if Trevor Lawrence Doesn’t Play?
Beating the Titans would guarantee the Jaguars another AFC South Division title and lock up a definite playoff spot. Their path to the postseason gets wonkier if they can’t pick up the W. Jacksonville would need some help from the Baltimore Ravens in their matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers to snag a playoff berth if they lose to Tennessee. And given that the Ravens don’t have anything to play for in Week 18, it would behoove the Jags to take care of business of their own.
Jacksonville is obviously much more likely to do that if Trevor Lawrence suits up under center. By most accounts, he will try to play. But the Jaguars are also playing a longer game. And since the Titans are miles below .500, Jacksonville might be okay riding with C.J. Beathard, who just led them to a victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 17.
This isn’t to say there won’t be a push for Lawrence to play. There will be. The Panthers are the worst team in football. As bad as they are, the Titans are a notch above. And they have proven, at times, to be pretty frisky on defense.
Ultimately, we think Jacksonville’s own defense will be enough to win this one—with or without Lawrence spearheading the offense. The Jaguars have not been great on the less glamorous side of the field this year, but they’ve generally booted inferior opponents. And that includes the Titans, who mustered just 14 points against them in Week 11.
OSB Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars (-240)
How Invested will Tennessee be in Playing Competitive Football Against Jacksonville?
With Tennessee firmly out of the playoff picture, their focus has shifted to improving their 2024 NFL draft position. And if Week 17 was any indication, when they lost 26-3, they won’t be putting their best foot forward against the Jaguars. The latest NFL point spread betting odds, however, aren’t projecting another blowout:
- Jacksonville Jaguars, -5.5 (-110)
- Tennessee Titans, +5.5 (-110)
Choosing the Jaguars to cover is nothing about which we feel particularly confident. We’re going to do it anyway.
Though Jacksonville’s offense has been all over the place, they were able to move the chains and beat up on the Panthers last week. Facing the Titans should invite a similar outcome. Tennessee just rolled over against the Texans, tallying a measly three points in Week 17. And since they enter Week 18 in competition for a top-five draft pick, we expect them to trot out a lineup that lays an identically sized egg against the Jaguars on offense.
OSB Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars, -5.5 (-110)
Offense Could be Hardy to Come by for Both the Jaguars and Titans
Neither Jacksonville nor Tennessee has played exceptionally well on the offensive end this year. The latest NFL over/under betting odds clearly aren’t expecting that to change in Week 18:
- Over 40.5 (-110)
- Under 40.5 (-110)
Projected scoring totals that check in under 41 points always have us salivating at the “over.” This game is an exception.
After watching the Titans put up just three points in Week 17, we have a hard time believing they’ll strive to do much better against the Jaguars. And on top of that, Jacksonville’s offense has struggled in their own right. They are averaging just 15 points against a lackluster schedule over the past three games. Even if they clear the 25-point mile marker, as they did last week, that still may not be enough for this “over” to cash.
OSB Prediction: Under 40.5 (-110)
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