The NFL season is coming down to the wire in Week 18 with a handful of meaningful games.
One of the most appealing will be the Tennessee Titans against the Jacksonville Jaguars, with the winner taking the AFC South and earning a home playoff game.
However, the Titans placed quarterback Ryan Tannehill on Injured Reserve and then surprisingly rolled with Josh Dobbs as the starter in the Thursday night loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
With their playoff hopes on the fence, head coach Mike Vrabel made clear who his starting quarterback will be in a winner-take-all battle (h/t Ian Rapoport of NFL.com).
#Titans coach Mike Vrabel makes it official, naming Josh Dobbs as their starting QB for the Week 18 AFC South title game vs. the #Jaguars.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 2, 2023
There it is: Josh Dobbs will be the starter in Week 18.
Dobbs was signed off the Detroit Lions practice squad and then sent right into action over rookie Malik Willis.
Willis struggled in his opportunities this year, going 31-of-61 for 276 yards, zero scores, and three interceptions while adding one touchdown on the ground.
In Week 18, Vrabel is sticking with Dobbs, and in his first career NFL start, he went 20-of-39 for 232 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the 27-13 loss to the Cowboys.
Dobbs should be much more comfortable with the offense after another nine days of preparation, so the Titans offense should look a bit better against the Jaguars.
If Dobbs plays well and the Titans get the win, he would go from a practice squad quarterback to a playoff starter in just a matter of weeks.
The winner-take-all AFC South showdown has been flexed to Saturday night at 8:15 ET, and it will be Trevor Lawrence against Dobbs for a playoff spot.
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