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The NFL made things difficult for the Jaguars.
The NFL announced Sunday evening that the Jaguars-Titans game has been moved to Saturday night. The winner of this game will clinch the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs and the AFC South championship.
The Titans lost 27-13 against the Cowboys on Thursday night. As it was already obvious that the Week 18 game in Jacksonville would determine the division, Tennessee rested a number of starters, including star running back Derrick Henry.
The Jaguars elected to play their starters in Sunday’s game against the Texans, a 31-3 thumping of the poorest team in the NFL. The NFL could have scheduled the game on Sunday to provide the Jaguars with a full week of rest before the pivotal contest.
On January 1, 2023, Trevor Lawrence (right) and Travis Etienne Jr. celebrate for the Jaguars.
“I would want to play on Sunday, obviously, to have these next few days,” Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said after the victory in Houston, before the NFL made its decision.
“However, we’ll play when they ask or tell us to, and our players will be prepared. If I had to choose, I would choose Sunday.”
Given the win-and-in nature of the game, there was speculation that the NFL would schedule it for Sunday night. Instead, this primetime slot is undetermined, as the league has not yet announced which game would air there.
The Packers and Lions might face off in Green Bay. With a victory, the Packers will secure a position in the playoffs. A win-and-in scenario might also exist for the Lions if the Seahawks lose to the Rams on that day.
After starting veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs over struggling youngster Malik Willis against the Cowboys, the Titans must make a decision at quarterback. Dobbs, who was acquired from the Lions’ practice squad in early December, completed 20 of 39 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown with one interception. Ryan Tannehill will miss the entire season due to ankle surgery.
In Pederson’s debut season, the Jaguars are in position to win the division after four consecutive victories.
»NFL punishes Jaguars by scheduling a must-win season finale«