Where: LP Field, Nashville, Tenn. (natural grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Spread: Titans by 4
Forecast: Mostly sunny with temperatures in the low 40s; little chance for precipitation.
Records: Titans (5-10; AFC South 0-5); Jaguars (2-13; AFC South 2-3)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Nov. 25, 2012: Jaguars 24-19; Dec. 24, 2011: Titans 23-17. Series record: Titans lead 20-16.
What matters: The Titans had playoff aspirations coming off a 9-7 season in 2011, but have been eliminated from postseason contention for several weeks. The final weeks of the season have given the team an opportunity to evaluate several young reserves. With a rash of injuries to a number of starters, a handful of players could receive extended minutes on Sunday. The list includes: TE Taylor Thompson, RT Byron Stingily, WR Michael Preston, CB Tommie Campbell, FB Collin Mooney, C Kyle DeVan, S Al Afalava, S Tracy Wilson, LB Tim Shaw and TE Brandon Barden. Tennessee will try to erase the sour memories of last week’s 55-7 loss at Green Bay with a win to end the season.
Who matters: Mike Munchak. The Titans second-year head coach is expected to meet with owner Bud Adams next week during Adams’ annual review of the team. The meeting could determine whether Munchak is retained for 2013. Munchak is well-liked and commands the respect of his players, despite the team’s 5-10 record. A win by the Titans in the season finale could save Munchak’s job.
Key matchups: RT Stingily vs. Jaguars DE Jason Babin; DBs Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner vs. Jaguars WR Justin Blackmon. The Titans’ second-year lineman is athletic and has quick feet for a 313-pound tackle. Stingily received the first start of his career last week when OT Mike Otto was forced out with a stomach bug. Babin’s top-end speed could provide a challenge for Stingily off the edge. The Jaguars could also test Stingily with an assortment of twists and stunts from Babin and DT Tyson Alualu. The Titans held Blackmon in check for the most part in the first meeting. A week after recording career-highs in catches and receiving yards (seven for 236) against the Texans, Blackmon had five catches for 62 yards vs. Tennessee. Blackmon will likely be the Titans’ main focus on defense after Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts III (concussion) was placed on IR earlier in the week.
Injuries of note: Chris Johnson missed the first two days of practice this week with a sore right ankle and was limited during Friday’s practice. Johnson said he will play Sunday. RB Jamie Harper is also dealing with a sore ankle. If Harper doesn’t play, FB Collin Mooney could be promoted from the practice squad. WR Kendall Wright has practiced all week in spite of a cracked rib he said he suffered on Dec. 17 vs. the Jets. Wright missed last week’s loss to the Packers, but is listed as questionable. LB Colin McCarthy and TE Craig Stevens will both be out with concussion-like symptoms. Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew (foot) ran individually earlier in the week, but was placed on IR on Friday.
Inside Stuff: One reason Stingily may have been given the start could be due to Otto’s familiarity at tight end. With season-ending injuries to Stevens and Jared Cook, Otto could be used at tight end in the Titans’ two tight end sets. Otto has appeared at tight end in roughly a dozen games during his five-year career. The 6-5, 308 pound lineman started in the Titans’ two tight end set against the Redskins in 2010. He also appeared at tight end in a goal line package in last season’s opener at Jacksonville. Since entering the NFL in 2007, Otto has yet to catch a pass.
Connections: DC Jerry Gray served on Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey’s staff with the Bills from 2004-05. In 2010, Babin’s only season with the Titans, he made the Pro Bowl after recording a team-high 12.5 sacks. DE Kamerion Wimbley and Jaguars FB Greg Jones were teammates in college at Florida State.
Stats you should know: If the Titans allow 10 points, they will set a franchise record for most points allowed to opponents in a season. In 1983, the Houston Oilers allowed a franchise-high 460 points in a season. The Titans registered a season-high seven sacks against the Jaguars in the Week 12 loss. In the Titans' last five games, Gray’s defense has 16 sacks. Jaguars QB Chad Henne finished with a QB rating of 108.0 against Tennessee on Nov. 25. In Henne’s last four games, however, he only has one game with a QB rating higher than 73.0.
Record watch: Johnson needs 168 rushing yards to reach the 7,000-yard rushing mark within his first five seasons. If Johnson reaches the milestone he will join elite company. The only players in NFL history to accomplish the feat are: Eric Dickerson (8,256 yards), LaDainian Tomlinson (7,361) and Emmitt Smith (7,183). If Johnson rushes for 164 yards he will pass Earl Campbell (6,995) for the most yards by a running back in the first five seasons of a career in franchise history.
Looking ahead: With no players on the AFC Pro Bowl roster, Sunday’s game will be the last of the season for the virtually the entire team. If an injury sidelines Texans RB Arian Foster, Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles or Ravens RB Ray Rice, Johnson may be added as a Pro Bowl alternate.
Prediction: Jaguars 20, Titans 17.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Tennessee Titans, follow Matt Rybaltowski @CBSTitans.
