Preparing for a 'Great Atmosphere' at EverBank Stadium for 2024 Home Finale

Dec 27, 2024 at 05:34 PM

John Oehser

Jaguars Senior Writer

JACKSONVILLE – The opponent is familiar. The themes are, too.

The Jaguars on Sunday will play host to the Tennessee Titans for the second time in a month, with Head Coach Doug Pederson on Friday morning again discussing pride – and finishing a disappointing season strong.

He discussed, too, a final chance in that difficult season to play at home.

"It's going to mean a lot," Pederson said.

The Jaguars (3-12), who beat the Titans in the team's first meeting – 10-6 – in Nashville in early December, have lost two games since that meeting. They lost to the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday with the Raiders snapping a 10-game losing streak.

The Titans (3-12), tied with the Jaguars for third place in the AFC South, have lost four consecutive games. The Jaguars were eliminated from division-title contention with five games remaining in the regular season.

"It's just going to be a great atmosphere with Tennessee coming here and an AFC South opponent to finish up our home schedule and try to get a win," Pederson said. "That would be, I think for us, huge. Again, a step in the direction of trying to finish the season in the right way."

Mac Jones will start at quarterback for the Jaguars for a sixth time in seven games in place of injured starter Trevor Lawrence. Jones has thrown three touchdowns with seven interceptions in his six Jaguars starts. The Jaguars are 1-5 in those games, with the victory over Tennessee.

Pederson said Jones objective Sunday must be to "just play consistent football."

"Just execute the offense, lead the offense, lead the team," Pederson said. "Really doesn't have to do more than that. Again, just control what he can control, put the ball in play and do that. I think if he does, then what we've seen from him, great things and good things will happen."

Pederson, too, said he doesn't expect the Jaguars to play with a lack of focus Sunday.

"There's always a possibility, but that falls on me to make sure that doesn't happen and keep everybody engaged and the coaching staff," he said. "Once you play and you kick the ball off on Sunday, everybody's engaged and locked in."

NOTABLE

Starting left tackle Walker Little on Friday was officially ruled out of Sunday's game because of an ankle injury, with safety Darnell Savage (concussion) and Ventrell Miller (ankle) also ruled out. All three were injured in a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday. Four other Jaguars players on the injury report this week – defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (illness), right guard Brandon Scherff (knee/shoulder), tight end Brenton Strange (shoulder) and left guard Ezra Cleveland (knee) – were listed without statuses Friday and are therefore expected to be available Sunday. Linebacker Yasir Abdullah was listed as questionable for Sunday after missing practice Friday with an illness.

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Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Tim Jones (15) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 26, 2024.