Jaguars vs Titans: Employees roundtable and sport picks for Week 14

Welcome to Large Cat Nation’s employees roundtable! This week, we’re previewing Week 14’s matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.

The Jaguars are 3.5-point underdogs, in line with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Query 1: How would you grade the Walker Little contract extension?

Dillon Appleman: B-. With the OT class being unspectacular this cycle it is smart. The cash isn’t dangerous and he’s at the very least confirmed to be serviceable on the place. The hope is that Little lastly getting constant expertise pays dividends going ahead.

Travis Holmes: C+. If it had been one other basic supervisor making this transfer, I might most likely give it someplace nearer to a B-. Sadly, that’s simply the place we’re as of late. I consider there’s a likelihood that Walker Little could change into a top-15 left sort out. I additionally consider it’s equally potential that he merely will proceed to be the man that he’s at present, and we’ve overpaid for him for two years. It’s a coin-flip end result in my e-book, which is a disgrace for the reason that crew had *checks notes* 4 years to judge him on a rookie deal! The method stinks.

Gus Logue: A-. I consider Little can develop right into a borderline Professional Bowl-caliber left sort out with extra reps and higher teaching. Even when he doesn’t enhance that a lot, he’s already a serviceable participant at one of the vital vital and sought-after positions within the league. This was a wise funding by Jacksonville — particularly contemplating the necessity to defend Trevor Lawrence.

Henry Zimmer: The Walker Little extension is okay for who he’s as a participant. The best way the extension happened could have been overly messy, however nonetheless simply 25 years outdated, Little has loads of time to bloom right into a top-flight sort out. This extension most likely sits round a B grade.

Query 2: When you may ‘steal’ a participant from the Titans and place them on the Jaguars’ roster, who would it not be?

Dillon: Calv…no I shouldn’t…..Arde…. by no means thoughts. I’ll go along with Jeffery Simmons. The Jaguars may need the least bodily inside of any crew within the NFL and Simmons in distinction is likely one of the extra bodily gamers on the place throughout the league. He can be a big improve at DT.

Travis: The Jacksonville Jaguars want inside line of defense assist in the worst of how. The Tennessee Titans have probably the greatest inside defensive linemen within the NFL in Jeffery Simmons. I am making this decide with out thought.

Gus: It’s Simmons and it isn’t shut. It’d be good so as to add a current first-round offensive lineman like J.C. Latham or Peter Skoronski, however Jacksonville wants inside assistance on either side of the ball, and it makes extra sense so as to add a identified commodity. Simmons ranks tenth amongst all protection tackles in sacks (30.5) and tackles for loss (45) since coming into the league in 2019.

Henry: There’s this man who performs on the inside of the line of defense who isn’t dangerous for the Titans. He used to hold a boombox round earlier than Jags video games and play Boosie. Surprise if he has any sacks this yr?

Query 3: Who would be the largest X-factor on Sunday?

Dillon: Will Levis. So long as he doesn’t go “full Levis” the Titans ought to be capable of transfer the ball in opposition to this abysmal protection. That may put strain on Mac Jones to not go “full McCorkle.” After a stable efficiency in opposition to the Texans, I might say we’re most likely due for that.

Travis: If I’ve discovered one factor from the historical past of the Jacksonville Jaguars, it’s that no matter horrible factor can occur, it greater than seemingly will occur. In that line of considering, my X-factor for Sunday is Titans and former Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley. For the reason that Titans traded away DeAndre Hopkins, Ridley has constantly been close to the highest of the league in air yards. In the meantime, the Jaguars’ protection has merely been terrible all of 2024 with blown coverages and surrendering explosive performs.

Gus: Brian Thomas Jr., who had an electrical showdown in opposition to Derek Stingley Jr. final week. He’s amongst a small handful of Jaguars with true game-breaking means, and the crew will want it this week with Jones anticipated to begin at quarterback. I don’t see this contest being shut until BT generates a number of explosive performs.

Henry: Brian Thomas Jr. must be, and must be, an X-factor on Sunday. Neither one among these groups must win this sport but when the Jags do certainly pull out a victory, it seemingly will likely be from the outstretched arms of BTJ.

Ultimate rating prediction?

Dillon: Jaguars 16, Titans 20

Travis: Jaguars 13, Titans 17

Gus: Jaguars 13, Titans 24

Henry: Jaguars 13, Titans 10

What are your Week 14 predictions, Jaguars followers? Tell us within the feedback!