Playoff Implications for Tennessee Titans Rivals

In the NFL’s AFC, where playoff spots are often decided by razor-thin margins, matchups against the Tennessee Titans carry outsized implications for their rivals. Whether it’s a divisional showdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars or a late-season clash with a wild-card contender like the Pittsburgh Steelers, wins and losses against the Titans can determine who secures a playoff berth, locks up a division title, or faces elimination. For rivals, the Titans are more than just another opponent—they’re a litmus test for playoff readiness, as Tennessee’s physical style (led by Derrick Henry’s rushing and Jeffery Simmons’ defense) forces teams to adapt or falter. These matchups often reveal a rival’s strengths and weaknesses, and the outcomes can ripple through the AFC standings, altering the entire playoff picture. Playoff Implications for Tennessee Titans Rivals is a look at how the Titans shape the dreams and disappointments of teams chasing a Super Bowl run.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, the Titans’ top AFC South rival, have seen their playoff hopes rise and fall on matchups with Tennessee in recent seasons. No example is more stark than the 2024 season, when the Jaguars and Titans faced off in Week 17 with the AFC South title on the line. Entering the game, both teams had 10-5 records, and the winner would claim the division and a first-round playoff bye, while the loser would be left to fight for a wild-card spot. The Jaguars, led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, won 27-24 on a last-second field goal—but the Titans’ performance still impacted Jacksonville’s playoff path. The hard-fought win left the Jaguars with key injuries (Lawrence suffered a shoulder strain) that weakened them in the first round, where they lost to the Buffalo Bills. In 2023, the tables turned: the Titans beat the Jaguars twice (24-17 and 31-17), dropping Jacksonville to 9-8 and pushing them out of the playoff picture entirely. These matchups highlight how the Titans’ physicality tests the Jaguars’ resilience—Jacksonville has gone 3-7 against Tennessee in the last five seasons, and those losses have directly cost them three potential playoff berths. Playoff Implications for Tennessee Titans Rivals often start with the Jaguars, as their divisional battles with the Titans are make-or-break for both teams.

The Houston Texans, another AFC South rival, have used matchups with the Titans as a barometer for their rebuild—and the outcomes have had major playoff implications. In 2022, the Texans were a young team in transition, but their two losses to the Titans (17-10 and 28-16) kept them at 3-13 and out of contention. By 2023, Houston had improved, and their Week 16 win over the Titans (24-21) was a turning point: it pushed the Texans to 9-6 and kept their wild-card hopes alive, while dropping Tennessee to 8-7 and effectively ending the Titans’ playoff chances. The win gave Houston momentum, and they went on to secure a wild-card spot with a 10-7 record. However, the Titans struck back in 2024, beating the Texans 34-27 in Week 10. That loss dropped Houston to 6-4 and forced them to win four of their last six games to clinch a wild-card spot—a streak they barely managed. For the Texans, beating the Titans has become a sign of playoff readiness: when Houston has won at least one game against Tennessee in a season, they’ve made the playoffs 75% of the time (3 of 4 seasons since 2020). These matchups matter because they reveal whether the Texans’ young core (including quarterback C.J. Stroud) can handle the Titans’ physical style—a must for any team hoping to advance in the AFC playoffs. Playoff Implications for Tennessee Titans Rivals show how the Titans serve as a “playoff preview” for the up-and-coming Texans.

The Indianapolis Colts, a longstanding AFC South rival, have seen their playoff aspirations dashed by the Tennessee Titans in multiple recent seasons, highlighting the Titans’ role as a divisional spoiler. In 2021, the Colts entered Week 18 with a 9-7 record and needed a win over the Titans to secure a wild-card spot. Tennessee, despite being out of contention, played with intensity, winning 28-25 in overtime and eliminating Indianapolis. The loss was particularly painful for the Colts, who had beaten the Titans 34-17 earlier in the season and felt confident in their ability to win the rematch. In 2023, the Colts again faced the Titans with playoff implications: a Week 14 win would keep Indianapolis (7-6) in the wild-card hunt, while a loss would drop them to 7-7 and make their path nearly impossible. The Titans won 31-28, and the Colts finished the season 9-8, one game short of a wild-card spot. For the Colts, the issue has often been their inability to stop Derrick Henry—he’s rushed for over 100 yards in six of his last eight games against Indianapolis, including a 153-yard performance in the 2021 Week 18 loss. These losses have not only ended the Colts’ playoff runs but also led to coaching changes (Frank Reich was fired in 2022 after another disappointing season against the Titans). The Tennessee Titans’ ability to disrupt the Colts’ playoff plans has made this rivalry one of the most intense in the AFC South, with each matchup carrying high stakes. Playoff Implications for Tennessee Titans Rivals underscore how the Titans have been a consistent thorn in the Colts’ side.

Non-divisional rivals like the Pittsburgh Steelers have also felt the impact of the Tennessee Titans on their playoff hopes, with late-season matchups often deciding wild-card spots. In 2023, the Steelers and Titans faced off in Week 15 with both teams at 8-6, fighting for a wild-card spot. The Titans won 27-24 in overtime, thanks to a game-winning field goal by Randy Bullock. The loss dropped Pittsburgh to 8-7 and forced them to win their last two games to make the playoffs (they won one and missed out). For the Steelers, the loss exposed their struggles against physical rushing attacks—Henry rushed for 127 yards, and the Titans controlled the clock for 38 minutes, limiting Pittsburgh’s offensive opportunities. In 2021, the tables turned: the Steelers beat the Titans 19-13 in Week 10, pushing Pittsburgh to 7-3 and keeping their division title hopes alive, while dropping Tennessee to 6-4 and slowing their playoff momentum. These matchups matter because they involve two physical, defense-first teams, and the winner gains a psychological edge heading into the playoffs. The Tennessee Titans have proven to be a tough out for the Steelers—they’ve split their last six matchups, and each win has directly impacted playoff seeding. For Pittsburgh, beating the Titans has become a marker of whether their defense can handle elite rushing attacks—a critical skill for advancing in the AFC, where teams like the Baltimore Ravens also rely on physical running games. Playoff Implications for Tennessee Titans Rivals show how non-divisional matchups with the Titans can be just as impactful as divisional battles.

Even teams with no recent history of rivalry with the Tennessee Titans have felt their influence on the playoff picture, as the Titans’ performance against other contenders can shape seeding and wild-card spots. For example, the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2024 playoff path was altered by the Titans’ Week 12 win over the Buffalo Bills. The Titans’ 31-28 victory dropped the Bills to 9-3, allowing the Bengals (then 8-4) to move closer to the AFC’s top seed. Later in the season, the Titans’ loss to the Bengals in Week 16 (24-21) helped Cincinnati secure a wild-card spot, as it pushed the Bengals to 10-6 and kept them ahead of the Steelers. Similarly, the Baltimore Ravens’ 2023 AFC North title was solidified by the Titans’ Week 14 win over the Cleveland Browns—Tennessee’s 34-27 victory dropped the Browns to 8-6, while the Ravens (11-3) clinched the division the following week. These indirect implications show that the Tennessee Titans are more than just a regional rival—they’re a factor in the national playoff picture, as their wins and losses against other contenders can lift some teams and sink others. For teams across the AFC, monitoring the Titans’ schedule is a key part of playoff planning, as a Titans win over a competitor can open up opportunities for a wild-card spot or a higher seed. Playoff Implications for Tennessee Titans Rivals reveal that the Titans’ impact extends far beyond the AFC South, shaping the dreams of teams across the conference.