The Jaguars are hungry to win their next matches. Their dedication says it all. Jaguars coach Doug Pederson doesn’t want to rest his players despite having injuries.
The Jaguars and Titans face the Texans and Cowboys, respectively, in Week 17, although neither team has much to play for in terms of the postseason situation.
The question is, what will happen in Week 18? It’s a fascinating dilemma to figure out how to handle the quasi-bye week in between the two games, given the winner of the Jacksonville matchup will be crowned AFC South champion.
H.C Doug Pederson of the Jacksonville Jaguars is not convinced that things should slow down.
“There’s never a meaningless game,” Pederson stated. “Never, ever, ever, ever. You play to win every game. The only way I rest players is if they’re hurt and can’t go.”
There are several positives to sticking with the starting lineup in a must-win Week 18 matchup. In particular, Jacksonville has been red hot as of late, having gone 4-1 since its Week 11 bye to draw level with the reeling Titans, losers of their previous five. This momentum may not survive the weekend of benching key players.
The pride of a Houston club that beat Jacksonville for one of its two victories that year is on the line as well.
Ruled OUT for the #Titans vs Cowboys:
QB Ryan Tannehill
DL Jeffery Simmons
T Nicholas Petit-Frere
S Amani Hooker
OLB Bud Dupree
LB Zach Cunningham
LB Dylan Cole
DB Josh ThompsonDOUBTFUL:
RB Derrick Henry
CB Kristian Fulton
OLB Denico Autry— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 28, 2022
“It’s an AFC South opponent, and they beat us in Week 5,” Pederson stated once again. “So we’ve got to have a great week of preparation. We understand that. We still got some unfinished business.”
Titans key defenders Jeffery Simmons and Bud Dupree are among the several who have been listed as DNP on the injury report this week. Derrick Henry, the team’s starting running back, has been suffering from a hip ailment, and his health will be crucial in the last game of the season.
Expect both teams to go all out in Week 18’s matchup, the outcome of which will determine whether the Titans win the AFC South for the third consecutive year or if the Jaguars win the division for the first time since 2017.
