The Jacksonville Jaguars welcome the Tennessee Titans to EverBank Stadium on Sunday in what is their final game of the 2025 regular season. With playoff seedings at stake, here’s some key battles to keep
an eye out for:
Jonah Monheim vs Jeffery Simmons
Jacksonville has some health concerns heading into Week 18. Center Robert Hainsey, key to the turnaround of the offensive line, was unable to suit up against the Indianapolis Colts, meaning the Jaguars had to turn to seventh round rookie Jonah Monheim for the second time this season. If the Jags had already sealed the division title and the home playoff game that comes with it, I imagine we would have seen any starters with nagging injuries put on ice against the Titans. So deciding whether to roll with Hainsey to seal the deal or keep him fresh for the postseason is a tough decision for Liam Coen.
If Monheim starts, he’s got a hell of a job on his hands. It seems churlish to mention the Jaguars’ injuries compared to those on Tennessee’s defense, who have had to rob every other franchise’s practice squad just to be able to have 53 bodies on their roster. But defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is still there, and the two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler will be intent on signing off 2025 with a big performance. Despite the Titans’ tough year, Simmons has still dominated, racking up 65 tackles, 20 quarterback hits and 10 sacks through 14 games. Monheim has been better than you’d expect for a rookie taken with the 221st pick, but Simmons is a problem even Hainsey would have a tough time dealing with on Sunday.
Brian Thomas Jr. vs Kaiir Elam
Speaking of the aforementioned injuries on the Titans defense; the secondary that Jacksonville will be facing this weekend looks totally different to the one they faced just five weeks ago. Having already seen three starters depart or sent to IR earlier in the season, the back end of this unit has seen further attrition, with no less than five contributors getting injured in the last month. It’s caused interim head coach Mike McCoy and general manager Mike Borgonzi to be creative, looking for available experience around the league.
Having been waived by the Dallas Cowboys, Kaiir Elam was a convenient body available. Taken in the second round in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, Elam has never lived up to expectations. And it’s a damning indictment of Tennessee’s depth that it looks like he’ll be CB1 against the Jags on Sunday, an opportunity for him to audition for a team to give him another shot in a pro career in danger of fading away.
Another man with something to prove is Brian Thomas, although the desperation for the second year wideout to find his rookie form is far from the situation Elam finds himself in. 658 yards and two touchdowns for the year isn’t catastrophic, but it is a significant step back from the numbers he posted en route to being named to the All-Rookie team and the Pro Bowl. Now would be a timely opportunity for Thomas to find some form as the Jaguars head into the playoffs, and he’ll be relishing taking on Elam and the rest of this patched up defense.
Devin Lloyd vs Tony Pollard
The Titans might be the whipping boys of the AFC South, but they have begun to click on offense in recent weeks. A lot of that is down to the development of Cam Ward under center and his ability to create off platform. But Tony Pollard has also enjoyed a renaissance, rushing for 450 yards in his past four games. With Tennessee going 2-2 during that stretch and threatening to lose the number one pick in next year’s draft, Jacksonville should be very wary of looking ahead too much – there is a division crown to be won on Sunday.
Despite playing second fiddle to Zeke Elliott for much of his time in Dallas, Pollard has been one of the more consistent running backs in the NFL, hitting 1,000 yards in the last four seasons. He’s a ball carrier that likes to bring it on every play and wear down front sevens with his persistent physicality between the tackles.
That’s where Devin Lloyd comes in, who has enjoyed a strong season under first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile. Lloyd has thrived as the Mike linebacker, particularly in pass coverage, but has also been sturdy against the run too. 76 tackles is a solid return on the season so far, and he’ll be tasked with keeping Pollard quiet, who can also be effective as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Stymie Pollard, and you crank up the pressure on Cam Ward – hopefully allowing this potent Jags secondary to feast.
