The Tennessee Titans appear to be turning a page. Although they suffered another disappointing loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 12, they have improved and generated excitement among the fan base. This week, they will have another shot to get back in the win column when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium. 

The Titans continue to show growth under interim coach Mike McCoy, but still haven’t put a full 60 minutes of good football together. The Titans’ defense struggled for three quarters, and while the offense wasn’t a juggernaut, it was one of their better games of 2025. 

The main storyline to arise from Week 12 was the performances of their rookie class. Cam Ward, Chimere Dike, Gunnar Helm, Kevin Winston Jr, Marcus Harris, and even Xavier Restrepo all made significant contributions and even led the team in different statistical categories. With Kalel Mullings, Femi Oladejo, and Elic Ayomanor all working their way back from injury, this class could gain even more experience down the stretch. 

The Jaguars come to town in second place in the AFC South, have won two in a row, and are in position to make a playoff push down the stretch. While they aren’t overpowering, they make enough plays to win and have the talent to compete, even without prized rookie Travis Hunter, who is currently on injured reserve. 

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, wide receivers Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr., tackles Anton Harrison and Walker Little, and cornerback Jourdan Lewis are talented playmakers who would be upgrades at their positions. But one player is remaining who could make a more significant impact: running back Travis Etienne Jr.

The Titans’ running backs, Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, have been invisible in recent weeks, and the unit is giving quarterback Cam Ward zero support. In games against the Houston Texans and Seahawks, Ward was the Titans’ leading rusher, single-handedly outgaining the combination of Pollard and Spears combined. 

There is a chance that Tennessee gives rookie Kalel Mullings a shot, now healthy after an ankle injury cost him the majority of the season. He did flash in the preseason and could do no worse. Tennessee needs to find a back to help take some pressure off their young quarterback, and Etienne is just that. The former first-round pick out of Clemson has come into his own and seized the opportunity to become the Jaguars’ leading rusher. The dynamic playmaker has the skills to be a three-down back and a threat as both a runner and receiver. 

Through 12 games, he has accumulated nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards, leading the Jaguars in rushing with 815 yards and five touchdowns, and chipping in with another 24 receptions for 160 yards as a receiver. He would immediately step in and be a leader in the room, and potentially give Cam Ward a dynamic weapon in the backfield. 

What are your thoughts, Titans fans? Would you pick Travis Etienne Jr. or steal an entirely different player from the Jacksonville Jaguars? Sound off and let us know.Â