Rookie Brian Thomas Jr. finds the end zone once more as the Jaguars secure a 20-13 victory over the Titans, achieving a rare sweep in the series.

The identity of the head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars next season remains uncertain; however, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is poised to be the most significant asset in the team's rebuilding efforts. Quarterback Mac Jones delivered two touchdown passes, including his fifth consecutive touchdown to Thomas, as the Jaguars triumphed over the Tennessee Titans 20-13 in rainy conditions on Sunday, achieving a season sweep for only the fourth time in three decades. Jones completed 15 of 22 passes for a total of 174 yards, with a substantial portion directed towards Thomas. The first-round draft selection from LSU recorded seven receptions for 91 yards. His 11-yard touchdown reception with 7:05 left in the game marked his eighth outing with at least 60 receiving yards and a touchdown, equaling Hall of Famer Randy Moss for the most such performances by a rookie in NFL history. 

“Brian continues to impress week after week,” remarked Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, whose own future with the organization remains uncertain. “There are simply no words to adequately describe Brian's contributions.” 

Thomas also became the fifth player in the history of the Jaguars to achieve double-digit touchdown receptions in a single season, joining the ranks of Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Marcedes Lewis, and Reggie Williams. 

“It feels incredible to accomplish some of the things I have,” Thomas stated. “I may not be aware of all of them, but I have heard about some, and it is truly a remarkable achievement.” 

The Titans (3-13) improved their prospects for the 2025 NFL draft, potentially positioning themselves to acquire a franchise quarterback, while securing the last place in the AFC South. The Jaguars (4-12) ensured their third-place finish in the division. There was little else of significance at stake in this Week 17 contest.

Jacksonville appeared poised for a dominant victory, initially establishing a 13-0 lead through a series of field goals. However, the Titans responded effectively, launching an 85-yard drive at the start of the second half, culminating in Mason Rudolph's 8-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Nick Vannett. Late in the game, Tennessee added a field goal, narrowing the deficit to seven points, and regained possession with 1:29 left on the clock. Rudolph advanced the Titans to the Jacksonville 26-yard line, but safety Antonio Johnson thwarted the drive by deflecting a fourth-down pass intended for the receiver at the goal line. "He was staring down the receiver the whole time," Johnson remarked, reflecting on his earlier benching this season. "Once I saw him pull the pin, I just broke on it and got the ball on the ground. ... It felt good to seal the game." In his second consecutive start for the injured Will Levis, Rudolph completed 19 of 31 passes for 193 yards, including one touchdown and one interception. The Titans have now suffered five consecutive losses and seven out of their last eight games. Coach Brian Callahan expressed his frustration, stating, "I hope they’re not numb to it. I sure am not. ... It’s terrible. There’s no joy in this process. There’s no fun in this. It’s terrible. I feel it every day I walk into work. I feel it every day I stand up here in front of you guys. Nothing is enjoyable about this, so I don’t get numb to any of it, and I hope nobody gets numb to it. Our job is to try to fix it. We’ll do whatever we can to address our issues and improve our team moving forward." In a notable individual achievement, Jacksonville’s Josh Hines-Allen edged closer to the franchise sack record by bringing down Rudolph in the third quarter, marking his 53rd career sack and leaving him just two shy of tying Tony Brackens’ team record.

Boris Cheek Sets Officiating Record  

Boris Cheek has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the NFL's all-time leader in officiated games, having taken the field for the Titans-Jaguars matchup. This marked his 461st game over a span of 29 seasons, surpassing Walt Coleman, who officiated 460 games during his 30-year career before retiring in 2018.  

Injury Updates  

During the third quarter, Titans running back Tyjae Spears underwent evaluation for a concussion. Spears, who utilizes a protective "guardian cap" on his helmet to mitigate the risk of head injuries, recorded 20 carries for 95 yards. The Titans were compelled to rely on third-string right tackle John Ojukwu after backup Jaelyn Duncan exited the game in the first half due to a shoulder injury. Duncan had been starting in place of Nicholas Petit-Frere, who was benched the previous week and was inactive for the game against Jacksonville. Additionally, Jaguars right guard Brandon Scherff left the field in the second quarter due to a shoulder issue but returned for the subsequent series.  

Looking Ahead  

The Titans will conclude their season next Sunday against the division champion Houston. Meanwhile, the Jaguars are set to face Indianapolis next Sunday, aiming to end another season marked by double-digit losses.