JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Calvin Ridley experienced a subdued season at EverBank Stadium in 2023. He managed to haul in 31 receptions for 329 yards and two touchdowns across eight games with the Jaguars. However, he struggled to make a significant impact, finishing with fewer than 40 receiving yards in seven of those contests. As he prepares to face his previous team on Sunday, he is eager to turn things around, especially after the Jaguars claimed victory over the Titans just three weeks ago with a close score of 10-6.
“I have to prove myself; I want to win this,” Ridley expressed on Thursday. “… I’m motivated to beat them. They talked some trash last time. While I wasn’t really paying attention, I did overhear some comments during the game. This time, I want to respond.” Ridley’s current stats include 56 catches for 857 yards and four touchdowns since he signed a lucrative four-year contract worth $92 million with Tennessee in March, $50 million of which is guaranteed.
In their first encounter against Jacksonville, Ridley caught seven passes for 59 yards. However, he made a crucial error late in the game by stepping out of bounds after only gaining 2 yards on a third-and-5 play. Had he gained the first down, it may have changed the game’s outcome, but his misstep left the Titans unable to convert on fourth down. With a new quarterback stepping in, he aims for redemption. Coach Brian Callahan has shifted from Will Levis to Mason Rudolph as the starter to conclude the season. Under Rudolph, Ridley has recorded 21 receptions for 336 yards and a touchdown in the last four games.
“Calvin is an exceptional talent, both on and off the field,” said Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown. “He’s capable of making big plays every time he’s on the field. It’s critical for us to be aware of his presence, as they will be looking to target him.” Ridley’s comeback is one of the few highlights in a matchup that lacks any playoff significance apart from its impact on the 2025 NFL draft order.
“Calvin is a fantastic individual both during games and in practice,” noted Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen. “His dedication reflects through his gameplay. As a person, he’s a valuable presence in the locker room; he contributes positively to our environment. I have a lot of respect for Calvin and what he has persevered through.”
In a game featuring backup quarterbacks, the Jaguars will start Mac Jones, given that Trevor Lawrence is sidelined for the season, while the Titans have chosen Rudolph over Levis due to the latter’s turnover issues—17 turnovers, including 12 interceptions, this season. “I’m ready to showcase that I can manage the ball better and contribute to scoring,” Rudolph remarked.
The Titans are looking to improve after experiencing their worst run defense since 1961 last week, yielding 335 rushing yards and an alarming 6.7 yards per carry against Indianapolis. Just weeks before, they had limited Jacksonville to just 26 yards on the ground. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson acknowledges that the Jaguars will likely challenge their defense early in the game. “We need to extinguish that threat,” Wilson stated confidently.
There will be a new starting safety for the Jaguars, Andrew Wingard, who takes over for Darnell Savage, who is in protocol for a concussion. Despite missing the first nine games due to injury, Wingard has proven his capability, recording three pass breakups in last week’s match after stepping in for Savage early on. “It feels strange knowing the season is nearing its end,” Wingard noted. “But I have to keep my momentum going. It’s important to showcase my recovery and that my performance hasn’t been affected by my injury.”
On the other hand, the Titans are close to matching their highest number of season losses since 2014. They’re also positioned to secure their best draft pick since their fifth overall selection in 2017. However, Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons has no tolerance for any suggestions that the team should deliberately lose the final two games for a better draft position. “I want nothing to do with that,” Simmons said when asked about potentially resting players. “I understand the draft implications, but I’m not here to lose.”
