JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FSC) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) became the AFC South Champions with their 20-16 come from behind victory over the Tennessee Titans (7-10), Saturday night, at TIAA Bank Field. It was an impressive recovery for the Jaguars team, who started this season 2-6. In their first matchup on Dec. 11 in Nashville, the Jaguars beat the Titans 36-22. That loss started a six game losing streak for Tennessee heading into tonight’s matchup. With Saturday night’s victory, the Jaguars have won their first AFC South title since 2017 and just their second since the division was formed in 2002. The Jaguars have now made the playoffs for the eighth time in their history, having appeared in the postseason from 1996-99, 2005, 2007, and 2017. They have never appeared in a Super Bowl, having lost the conference championship in 1996, 1999, and 2017.
The Titans got off to a ten point lead after K Randy Bullock’s 51 yard field goal late in the first quarter and a 21 yard touchdown pass from QB Joshua Dobbs to Chigoziem Okonkwo in the second quarter. But the Jags scored their first touchdown as QB Trevor Lawrence threw for 25 yards to WR Christian Kirk, followed by a K Riley Patterson extra point. After Randy Bullock added another field goal to end the first half, the Jags trailed the Titans, down 13-7.
The Jaguars first drive of the second half was capped off by a 26 yard Riley Patterson field goal. But Randy Bullock responded with a 41 yard field goal on the next Titans drive, to put the Titans up 16-10. An interception by Jaguars CB Tyson Campbell late in the third quarter helped to shift the momentum and got the fans excited. That scoring drive ended with a 36 yard Riley Patterson field goal early in the fourth, narrowing the Jaguars’ deficit to 16-13. The Jaguars S Rayshawn Jenkins forced a Joshua Dobbs fumble, which LB Josh Allen recovered and ran 37 yards for a touchdown. After a Riley Patterson extra point, the Jags led 20-16. After stopping the Titans next drive, the Jaguars were left with 1:30 on the clock to protect their lead, and they successfully ran down the clock to clinch the victory, the AFC South title, and a spot in the playoffs.
Trevor Lawrence finished with 212 yards and one touchdown. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars rushing with just 17 yards. Christian Kirk was the leading receiver with 99 yards and one touchdown.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence. Photo credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida Sports Channel)
Among the milestones achieved by the Jaguars tonight, Trevor Lawrence broke the team record for completions in a season. Lawrence also achieved his first 4,000 yard season. Wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones became the first pair of Jaguars teammates to record 80 receptions in a season since Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith in 2001. Christian Kirk also passed the 4,000 receiving yards milestone for his career.
Jaguars honor Damar Hamlin. Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida Sports Channel)
At today’s game, the Jaguars (and all NFL teams) honored Bills safety Damar Hamlin by painting the “3” in the 30 yard line. Players also wore shirts before the game which said “Love For 3 Damar.” Both teams also gathered at the fifty yard line and knelt in prayer for Damar after their pre-game warmups. Hamlin continues his recovery after collapsing on the field during Monday night’s game.
Players honor Damar Hamlin. Photo credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida Sports Channel)
Today’s attendance was 70,050, which was the largest crowd of the season at TIAA Bank Field. The Jaguars will be hosting a playoff game in Jacksonville next weekend, though the opponent, date, and time of the game is yet to be announced. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
