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Avery Williamson, Titans linebacker, told members of the media that the team isn't counting out Jacksonville based on previous encounters. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee

Who has the edge between the Titans and Jaguars on Sunday at Nissan Stadium?

Titans fans are decked out in Christmas spirit
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A Titans fan is decked out for Christmas during the
A Titans fan is decked out for Christmas during the second half at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.   George Walker IV / Tennessean.com
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Tracy Hill and Debbie Thomson pose before the start
Tracy Hill and Debbie Thomson pose before the start of the Titans vs Rams game at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.  Tom Stanford / Tennessean.com
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Tikita Johnson and Jane Shelbourne await the start
Tikita Johnson and Jane Shelbourne await the start of the Titans vs Rams game at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.   Tom Stanford / Tennessean.com
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Robert Johnson wears his Santa hat before the start
Robert Johnson wears his Santa hat before the start of the Titans vs Rams game at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.   Tom Stanford / Tennessean.com
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T-Rac and two cheerleaders ride in a chariot prior
T-Rac and two cheerleaders ride in a chariot prior to the start of the Titans vs Rams game at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.   Tom Stanford / Tennessean.com
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T-Rac in a Santa Suit before Titans and Rams game at
T-Rac in a Santa Suit before Titans and Rams game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn, on Sunday December 24, 2017.   Tom Stanford / Tennessean.com
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A fan dresses for the holiday at Nissan Stadium Sunday,
A fan dresses for the holiday at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.  Tom Stanford / Tennessean.com
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T-Rac poses with Brody Prosise and Ethan jacks from
T-Rac poses with Brody Prosise and Ethan jacks from Knoxville, TN, on at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn, on Sunday December 24, 2017.   Tom Stanford / Tennessean.com
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T-Rac and two cheerleaders ride in a chariot prior
T-Rac and two cheerleaders ride in a chariot prior to the start of the Titans vs Rams game at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.   Tom Stanford / Tennessean.com
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Hayden Armstrong age 5 from Madisonville, TN stays
Hayden Armstrong age 5 from Madisonville, TN stays warm before the Titans vs Rams game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn, on Sunday December 24, 2017.   Tom Stanford / Tennessean.com
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Michael Valliere from Toronto, Canada before the Titans
Michael Valliere from Toronto, Canada before the Titans and Rams game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn, on Sunday December 24, 2017.   Tom Stanford / Tennessean.com
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Dylan Stevens from Kathryn, ND, wears ornaments on
Dylan Stevens from Kathryn, ND, wears ornaments on his beard at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn, on Sunday December 24, 2017.  Tom Stanford / Tennessean.com
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Nathan Valliere from Toronto, Canada, plays Jenga before
Nathan Valliere from Toronto, Canada, plays Jenga before Titans and Rams game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn, on Sunday December 24, 2017.   Tom Stanford / Tennessean.com
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    Offense - Jaguars

    Rookie running back Leonard Fournette leads the Jaguars’ No. 1-ranked rushing offense in the NFL, which averages more than 145 yards on the ground each game. Fournette needs 29 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for the season. The Jags are scoring an average of more than 27 points per game, the fifth-highest total in the league. Even the Jaguars’ much maligned passing offense, helmed by quarterback Blake Bortles, consistently outperforms the Titans’ passing attack. Marcus Mariota’s career-high 15 interceptions this season are second-most in the NFL.

    Defense - Jaguars

    The Jaguars have established themselves as one of the NFL’s elite defenses. Jacksonville ranks third in total defense (289.7 yards per game), first in pass defense (173.5 yards) and second in points allowed (16.9). The Jags are tops in the league with 52 sacks, led by defensive ends Calais Campbell (14.5 sacks) and Yannick Ngakoue (12.5 sacks). Campbell and both starting cornerbacks, Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, were named starters for the Pro Bowl. The Titans have the fifth-best run defense in the NFL, allowing an average of fewer than 90 yards on the ground per game, but their pass defense rates among the worst in the league.

    Special teams - Jaguars

    Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo has hit 18 of 19 field goals (94.7 percent) this season, including a long from 56 yards, since signing in mid-October. Titans kicker Ryan Succop has hit 32 of 39 field goal attempts (82.1 percent). Titans punter Brett Kern continues to lead the NFL with 50.7 average yards and 46.5 net yards per punt. Jacksonville averages more yards on kickoff and punt returns – Jaydon Mickens averages 11.9 yards per punt return, has scored on a 63-yard return and was tackled a yard short of the goal line on a 72-yard return.

    Coaching - Jaguars

    Doug Marrone, in his first full season as coach of the Jaguars, has guided the franchise to its first division title since 1999, when it won the now-defunct AFC Central and reached the AFC Championship Game. The Jaguars have secured their first playoff berth since 2007 and will host a playoff game for the first time since losing to the Titans, 33-14, on Jan. 23, 2000. Mike Mularkey has the Titans in position for a second consecutive winning season, but they’re on a three-game losing streak, which squandered an opportunity to win the AFC South.

    Intangibles - Titans

    The Titans’ season is on the line, while the Jaguars are locked into the third seed for the AFC playoffs and could opt to rest some of their starters for at least a portion of the game. The Titans will qualify for the postseason as a wildcard with a victory. The Titans can also make the playoffs with a loss, if the Bills and Chargers also lose Sunday, but they’d obviously prefer to snap their three-game losing streak and head into the playoffs with a victory and second consecutive winning season.

    Predictions 

    Jason Wolf

    Titans 23, Jaguars 20: The Titans are desperate and down to one final chance to make the postseason. Win and they’re in. The Jaguars, on the other hand, will host a game on wild card weekend regardless of the outcome of the regular season finale. Derrick Henry excelled in a victory earlier this season in Jacksonville and should receive plenty of work, with DeMarco Murray hobbled by a knee injury.

    Joe Rexrode

    Jaguars 24, Titans 23: San Francisco meltdown aside, Jacksonville is the clearly superior team here. With both teams at full strength and with the same incentive, the Jaguars win decisively right now. In this situation, it's a toss-up -- but the Jags want that winning feeling back before the postseason, and the Titans have seemed destined for weeks now to miss it.

    Reach Jason Wolf at jwolf@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter at @JasonWolf and on Instagram and Snapchat at TitansBeat. Contact Joe Rexrode at jrexrode@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @joerexrode.

    WEEK 17: JAGUARS (10-5) AT TITANS (8-7)

    When: 3:25 p.m., Sunday

    TV/radio: CBS / 104.5-FM