Jaguars beat Colts with 23-17 win, to keep hopes of AFC South title alive

Jacksonville Jaguars NFL logo near football stadium Jacksonville^ Florida - January 28^ 2022
Jacksonville Jaguars NFL logo near football stadium Jacksonville^ Florida - January 28^ 2022

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence led Jacksonville to a narrow – but crucial – 23-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, keeping Jacksonville in the race for the AFC South title.

The Jags victory at Lucas Oil Stadium lifted the Jaguars to 12-4, marking the franchise’s highest win total since 2005. With one regular-season game remaining, Jacksonville can lock up the division title — and a home playoff game — with a win next weekend against Tennessee. The Jaguars have already secured a postseason berth and remain narrowly alive in the race for the AFC’s top seed, though they would need additional help around the league.

Indianapolis, who were already eliminated from playoff contention following Houston’s win Saturday, opened the game with a field goal, and then extended their lead early in the second quarter when Jonathan Taylor punched in a 3-yard rushing touchdown, his 18th of the season (tops in the NFL).

Lawrence responded, scoring on short touchdown runs just before halftime and again early in the third quarter to give Jacksonville its first lead. His passing streak came to an end, however, when he threw his first interception in more than a month during a red-zone trip late in the first half.

The Colts answered back when Philip Rivers connected with Mo Alie-Cox on a 5-yard touchdown pass midway through the third quarter; and Cam Little’s 34-yard field goal later in the period sent the teams into the fourth quarter tied at 17. While Jacksonville briefly missed a chance to move ahead after being stopped on fourth down, their defense flipped the momentum — Jarrian Jones stepped in front of a floating Rivers pass for an interception, setting up Little’s go-ahead 42-yard field goal. Little added insurance with a 53-yarder in the final seconds to seal the six-point win.

Lawrence finished 23 of 37 for 263 yards with one interception, adding 26 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Travis Etienne Jr. carried 17 times for 76 yards, while Parker Washington led all receivers with eight catches for 115 yards.

The Jaguars’ win keeps them ahead of Houston in the AFC South standings and capped a seventh straight victory. A win next weekend would deliver Jacksonville its first division title since 2022 and ensure postseason football at home.

Editorial credit: University of College / Shutterstock.com

RecomMended Posts

Loading...