NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Welcome to the Tennessee Toilet Bowl.
Sunday's game between the 2-11 Jets and the 2-11 Titans might be so frightening, football fans will have to avert their eyes. This game has no meaning for 2014, as both of these teams are going nowhere, but everything to do with 2015.
Plenty of fans of both teams will be rooting for a loss instead of a win, hoping their team can land a better draft pick and maybe the top prize — Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.
There is a five-way tie at the bottom of the standings right now, with the Jets and Titans tied with the Buccaneers, Jaguars and Raiders. It is truly a race to the bottom.
But the Jets players and coaches cannot worry about next spring's NFL Draft. They still are trying to win games.
"I hate to talk about the fans or saying anything negative about the fans, but I don't think that should be their attitude," quarterback Geno Smith said of fans hoping they will tank. "The fans should want to see the team win no matter what. Like I said, I can't really focus on that. I'm only focused on day-by-day getting better in practice and then going out there and performing well on Sundays."
Veteran linebacker Calvin Pace said those fans should be careful what they are wishing for.
"One draft pick isn't going to change things," Pace said. "If you end up with a high draft pick, that guy still has to get seasoned and become a pro. Very few times you see guys come in and change a franchise with one guy. So again, if that's your thinking, then that's your thinking on the outside, but there is a little bit more to it then that."
One thing is certain: these are two bad football teams. The Titans have lost seven straight, including a 29-point loss to the dismal Giants last week. They are ranked 30th in the NFL in both total offense and total defense.
The Jets have lost 11 of their last 12 games and are 0-6 on the road this season. They have been outscored 181-86 in road games this season. The Jets came close to getting a road win last week before losing to the Vikings in overtime. The Jets have lost all their road games just twice in franchise history — in 1964 and 2005.
Marquee matchup
Jets LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson vs. Titans DT Jurrell Casey
D'Brickashaw FergusonPhoto: Joseph E. Amaturo
It has been a terrible season for the Titans, but Casey is having a great year. The fourth-year player has five sacks and 26 quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. He has been a disruptive force up front for the Titans defense, which is 19th in passing defense.
For Ferguson, it's another week and another challenge. Ferguson had a tough time with Vikings DE Everson Griffen last week, who was in Geno Smith's face all day. Ferguson turned 31 years old this week and his play has slipped a bit this year. I wouldn't expect Ferguson to go anywhere in 2015, but the Jets might have to start thinking about replacing him next offseason.
This matchup is pivotal to this game because Smith is a different quarterback when he is under pressure. If Ferguson can keep Casey out of Smith's face, the quarterback might be able to have some success against a soft Titans defense.
The return of CJ2K
Jets running back Chris Johnson has had a frustrating season. He is on pace for a career-low statistically with just 558 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown on 125 carries in his first season as a Jet. But he can make this season a little sweet Sunday when he faces his former team.
Johnson returns to the stadium he called home for six seasons and where he became a star. Johnson tried to downplay the meeting this week, but admitted he wants to "tear it up." The Titans cut him in April, and he was annoyed they waited so long into the offseason before making the move, hurting his opportunities in free agency.
"I am just [trying to] put it into perspective, trying to make it like a regular week," Johnson said. "I am worried about more of what is going on over here, getting a victory over here, rather than me vs. Tennessee."
OK Flash, let's see it
Geno SmithPhoto: Bill Kostroun
Jets quarterback Geno Smith opened this mouth this week and said he has shown "flashes" of Pro Bowl play. That was met by a collective chuckle outside the Jets building and a collective groan inside.
With his comment still fresh in everyone's brain, there is no better time than Sunday for Smith to show some of that Pro Bowl ability. He has started the past two games with mixed results. Against Miami, he threw just 13 times. Last week, the coaches let him throw a bit more and he played well after a pick-six on the opening play. The Jets are looking for consistency from Smith. The Titans stink. Can he take advantage of them?
Line them up
The Titans offensive line is one of the worst in football. The group has given up 41 sacks this year, tied for 28th worst in the NFL. They may be playing without both starting tackles Sunday as Taylor Lewan (ankle) and Michael Oher (toe) have both missed practice time this week. Lewan only became the starter after Michael Roos was lost for the season.
All of this should translate into a big day for the Jets defensive line, but they will not have Muhammad Wilkerson for the third straight game. Sheldon Richardson had a monster game last week with three sacks and is making a late Pro Bowl push.
Backup blues
The Titans lost starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger to a shoulder injury last week against the Giants and will be starting backup Jake Locker against the Jets. Normally, teams would be thrilled to see a backup quarterback, but the Jets preferred to play Mettenberger, a rookie.
Locker had a good game against the Jets last season before leaving with an injury. He threw three touchdowns in that game and had 149 yards passing with a 130.0 quarterback rating. Locker, a first-round pick in 2011, has no future in Tennessee, but is auditioning for the other 31 teams in these final games of the season.
Costello's call
The only thing certain is there will be some bad football played. Looking at it, the Jets have played better than the Titans lately, who were non-competitive last week. But funny things happen when the Jets go to Nashville. Titans pull out an ugly one and Jets fans can rejoice over better draft position.
Titans 21, Jets 9
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