Jaguars–Titans

The Rivalry

The rivalry opened in 1995 when Jacksonville entered the NFL as an expansion team and lost its first regular-season game to the Houston Oilers. After the Oilers relocated to become the Tennessee Titans, the two were grouped in the AFC Central and then, with the 2002 realignment, in the new AFC South, where they meet twice every season. The defining early chapter came in the 1999 season: Jacksonville went 14-2 with both losses to Tennessee, then hosted the Titans in the AFC Championship Game and watched Tennessee erase a halftime deficit to win 33-14. Since then the series has built a reputation as a maker and breaker of seasons, with division crowns and playoff lives often hanging on the outcome.

What's at Stake

As AFC South rivals, the Jaguars and Titans meet with division standings and playoff seeding regularly on the line, and the schedule has often placed the game late in the year when stakes peak. The rivalry pits Jacksonville's North Florida fan base against Tennessee's Nashville-centered following.

Famous Moments

• 1999 — Tennessee won the AFC Championship Game 33-14 at Jacksonville, the rivalry's only playoff meeting.
• 1999 — Jacksonville's only two regular-season losses that 14-2 year both came against the Titans.
• 2017 — Tennessee swept the regular-season series, yet Jacksonville still clinched the AFC South.
• 2022 — Jacksonville swept the season series and clinched the division title.
• 2023 — Tennessee's 28-20 Week 18 win eliminated Jacksonville from playoff contention.

Plan the Trip

For fans, this is a Southern road trip with real variety: Jacksonville's Jaguars play at EverBank Stadium near the St. Johns River, a short hop from Atlantic beaches, while the Titans host games on Nashville's riverfront beside the Broadway entertainment district. A drive of roughly 500 miles connects the two cities, making a home-and-home doubleheader feasible.

Sources

• Jaguars–Titans rivalry, Wikipedia