JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Titans lost 41-7 to the Jaguars here on Sunday here at EverBank Stadium.
Here's a look at six things that stood out from the contest:
Cam Ward Injured
Of course this was the biggest storyline of the day. Titans quarterback Cam Ward suffered a right shoulder injury in the first quarter after diving into the end zone on a seven-yard touchdown run. Ward was immediately greeted by trainers when he returned to the team's bench, and then he headed into the medical tent. Ward then went to the Titans locker room. An official announcement was made in the press box that Ward would be questionable to return, but Ward was downgraded to out, and he did not return to the game. Ward watched the second half on the sideline, in a jacket, with a sling on his right shoulder. Ward did not speak to reporters after the game, and interim head coach Mike McCoy said it's too early to know the severity of the injury. "We'll do more testing," McCoy said. "I'll give you a better answer down the road."
Simmons Breaks Casey's Mark
Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons didn't waste much before toppling a milestone on Sunday. On the game's first play from scrimmage, Simmons recorded his 11th sack of the season, a career high, when he dropped Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Simmons now holds the team's single-season record for most sacks by a defensive tackle in the franchise's Titans era (since 1999), passing Jurrell Casey's 10.5 sacks in 2013. "I am grateful," Simmons said. "I am grateful to be able to finish the season the right way. There's a lot of plays I wish I could get back, but to know statistically this is the best season I've had in seven years, it means a lot."
Brandon Allen's Day
Ward hadn't missed a snap until Sunday. When he did, back-up QB Brandon Allen was forced into action. Allen completed 17-of-30 passes for 72 yards with an interception that was returned for a touchdown in the game. He made a beautiful pass to receiver Chimere Dike early, but overall, it a was struggle, which Allen admitted. "It had been a long time between some live reps," Allen said. "It felt good to be back out there, to get hit a little bit, as far as overall offensive performance after Cam went down, it wasn't good enough. We had a bunch of three-and-outs, we didn't move the ball, I didn't make some completions. The pick-6 was brutal. … Overall, you want to play better, and I don't feel like I did that."
Chimere Dike's Milestone
Titans return man Chimere Dike on Sunday broke the franchise record for single-season punt return average. Dike totaled 386 yards on 23 returns for an average of 17.3 yards per return. That number eclipsed Billy "White Shoes" Johnson's mark of 15.4 yards per return, which was set in 1977. Dike also established the all-time NFL rookie record for all-purpose yards and the most all-purpose yards since in a season since Darren Sproles in 2011, who set the NFL record with 2,696 yards.
Defensive Woes
The depleted Titans were outmanned, and outperformed, on Sunday against the Jaguars. This was clear to see on a day when the Jaguars racked up 24 first downs, 319 yards and three touchdown passes by Lawrence, who completed 22-of-30 passes for 255 yards. Linebacker Cedric Gray led the Titans with eight tackles, which was short of the franchise's mark for most tackles in a season. Aside from Simmons, edge rusher Jaylen Harrell was credited with another sack for the Titans, which gives him 4.5 sacks on the season. But there were too many plays allowed on defense.
It's Over
The Titans finished the season with a 3-14 mark. The team was scheduled to fly back to Nashville immediately after the contest. McCoy is scheduled for a season ending press conference on Monday, when players will clean out their lockers at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park. After the game, players admitted it's been a long season. "Knowing that it's over, to hit that reset button," Simmons said. "It has been a long, tough season. Today was our last game, and we wanted to win. But to see that clock hit zero, and know the pain of losing is over. … We have to do a lot of reflecting, and to know we are going to be better next year. We have to get this team back to where we want it to be. Do I hate that I'm not getting ready to play in a playoff game? Yes. But we're going home right now, and we have to get ready for next year."
The Tennessee Titans take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18 at EverBank Stadium.
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at EverBank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Jacksonville, FL. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
