Jaguars get 1st win with Jones, end Titans' slim playoff hopes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tank Bigsby ran for an 8-yard touchdown with 6:46 left and the Jacksonville Jaguars snapped a five-game skid and ended the Tennessee Titans' slim playoff hopes Sunday by scoring the final 10 points for a 10-6 victory.
Jacksonville (3-10) came in already eliminated with Trevor Lawrence out for the rest of this season. The Jaguars leave with only their second victory in the past 11 trips to Music City and second in the past three.
The Titans (3-10) came in needing to win out to even have a chance of their first playoff berth since the 2021 season ended with a divisional loss on their home field. Tennessee has fired both a general manager and coach since then.
They had the ball twice with a chance to rally for the win.
Their best chance ended with 1:11 left as Will Levis missed Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in the end zone on fourth-and-3 at the Jaguars 9. The second ended with Levis missing Tyler Boyd on fourth-and-15 from the Tennessee 35 with 28 seconds remaining.
Mac Jones filled in ably enough for Lawrence to get his first win in three starts this season.
He shook off two interceptions, throwing for 220 yards. In the second half, he connected over and over with rookie Brian Thomas Jr. The first-round draft pick out of LSU finished with career highs with eight catches on 12 targets for 86 yards.
Cam Little started the Jaguars' comeback in the low-scoring affair with a 23-yard field goal early in the fourth.
Nick Folk kicked a pair of field goals for the Titans. Tennessee dropped to 1-5 at home this season under first-year coach Brian Callahan.
Levis shook off a hard hit to his right, throwing shoulder when sacked by Josh Hines-Allen to end the first half. He stretched his shoulder as he walked off the field to the locker room but didn’t miss a play, returning for the second. He finished with 168 yards passing.
The Titans defense, coming off an ugly performance in last week’s loss at Washington, came up with two interceptions. Cornerback Chido Awuzie got the first pick in his first game since Sept. 22 after being activated off injured reserve Saturday.
Missing three starters with injuries, the Titans couldn't stop the Jags in the fourth quarter.
Sit down
The Titans scratched rookie Jha’Quan Jackson who has five fumbles this season, including one of each of the past two weeks. Mason Kinsey, promoted from the practice squad, handled punt returns.
Inquiries
The Jaguars unexpectedly scratched RT Anton Harrison because of illness. ... S Darnell Savage, who went down at the end of a 21-yard run by Tony Pollard, was being evaluated for a concussion.
Titans OLB Harold Landry III was hurt on the Jaguars’ first drive of the third quarter but was back on the next series.
Up next
The Jaguars host the New York Jets, and the Titans wrap up a back-to-back homestand with Cincinnati.
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