NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- For 12 NFL head coaches, the turn of the year is the time when thoughts turn to the playoffs, but for several others it presents a real discussion on whether they will return next season. The day after the regular season ends has been dubbed "Black Monday" because of the dismissals that come with it, and there's reason to believe this season's edition will be busier than usual.

Tennessee Titans coach Mike Mularkey could be among those whose fate is decided shortly after the season ends if his team loses Sunday to the Jacksonville Jaguars and misses the playoffs.

It's a "win and you're in" game for the Titans, and it could be just as important for Mularkey's long-term future with the team.

"Winning always makes everything better," Mularkey said.

Mularkey, who is finishing up the second year of a three-year deal he signed when he became the full-time head coach in January 2016, said he hasn't talked to the Titans about an extension. Teams and coaches typically don't like to enter a season with expiring contracts looming.

If the Titans hope to avoid sticking Mularkey with a "lame duck" status in 2018, they will need to choose soon between extending his contract or parting ways. Mularkey has been in this situation before as a head coach and says he isn't stressing over it.

"There's so much going on with this week's game plan. There's not enough time to think about any of that. I can't even talk to my family this time of year," Mularkey said. "I can't worry about things that are out of my control. God has a plan for me. Whatever that is, I'm going to follow it."

The Titans could choose to keep or extend Mularkey even if they don't make the postseason. He has a 17-14 mark as the Titans' full-time coach and lifted a team that was 3-13 and 2-14 in 2014 and 2015 primarily under Ken Whisenhunt to 9-7 and 8-7.

Controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk -- who hired Mularkey -- and general manager Jon Robinson will have to decide whether that progress is enough or if they believe there's another person who can get more out of a talented team that fell below its lofty offensive expectations. Falling from 8-4 to potentially 8-8 and missing the playoffs would be particularly hard to swallow.

The expected high number of teams looking for coaches may also impact the Titans' decision. It might be too early to give up on Mularkey, but patience seems to be a lost virtue in dealing with head coaches.

Much of that decision will revolve around quarterback Marcus Mariota, who has taken a step back in Year 3. Injuries have played a role, but there is reason to believe the Titans' offensive coaching staff could do more to adjust the scheme around Mariota's strengths. That will certainly be addressed once the season is concluded with Mularkey, offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie and quarterbacks coach Jason Michael.

It would seem important for Strunk and Robinson to get Mariota's opinion before making any big changes. And Mariota has indicated that he sees progress.

"It's been dramatic. From when I stepped in the building Day 1 to now, just to see the transformation, what Jon has done, what Coach Mularkey has done, it's been impressive," Mariota said. "It's fun to be a part of, and like I said, hopefully we can continue this year in and year out."

So is Mularkey coaching for his job, or at least some of his assistants' jobs, this Sunday?

"I don't know," Mularkey said. "There's a plan for everyone. I'm just following the plan, if you know what I mean."

Taking the Titans to the playoffs for the first time since 2008 would likely eliminate some of these hard decisions.