The most underappreciated rivalry in each NFL division
By John Buhler
AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
The rivalry between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans is often seen as a running joke because they have defined the mandatory Thursday Night Football game shown exclusively on The NFL Network. While both franchises were excellent in the 1990s, success has been more fleeting than not in the 21st century, although both clubs have certainly had their moments.
They first met in the old AFC Central back in 1995. Jacksonville was an expansion team, while the then-Houston Oilers were still a thing for only two more years. Tennessee holds the 30-21 edge in their 51 games to date. Though neither of these franchises have won a Super Bowl, they have played in six AFC Championship games between them, including 1999 against each other.
The 1999 NFL season remains the peak of this rivalry. Jacksonville went 14-2 to earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs that season. However, their two regular-season losses were to the newly rechristened Titans. They would meet in the AFC title bout in Jacksonville, where the Titans would hand the Jaguars a third loss on the year. Talk about owning completely owning somebody.
Though they only have six division titles combined since 1995, this will stand as one of the better rivalries in the AFC South. While the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts have dominated the division since its creation back in 2002, the rivalry between the Jaguars and Titans will only intensify when both teams get back to playing consistently good ball, whenever that is.