Worst to first: Late defensive score lifts Jaguars over Titans in battle for AFC South crown
With just under three minutes remaining, the Jacksonville Jaguars got their miracle.
The Tennessee Titans owned a 16-13 lead with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. With their backs against the wall, Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins made the play of the game — and maybe the season — sacking Titans QB Joshua Dobbs, forcing a fumble that got scooped and quickly taken into the end zone by outside linebacker Josh Allen.
Once Jacksonville went up 20-16, the game was essentially over with the Titans unable to muster much of a closing drive, ultimately giving Jacksonville the ball back in the closing seconds.
That was the surge Jacksonville needed without much time remaining in the contest. A game that was expected to be easier than it was, simply wasn't as it looked as though the Jaguars would fall just short of a coveted AFC South title.
The Jaguars searched for a lead the entire contest, trailing the Titans until the Allen scoop-and-score. It is the second game-winning touchdown by Jacksonville's defense this season — both with Jenkins around the play somewhere.
“This was one of those games where our defense had to win it for us,” Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. “Us guys on offense, we’re a little frustrated because we left a lot out there. But in these games, just win. Our defense picked us up today. They played great.”
The Jaguars became AFC South champions for just the second time in team history, the first since 2017 when the team reached the AFC Championship Game.
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The Jaguars won four games in a row prior to Saturday night's contest to put themselves in position to take the AFC South.
Jacksonville began the season 2-6 before turning things around with a 6-2 run, including victories over the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys, two playoff-bound teams. The Titans were headed in the opposite direction having lost six-straight games including one at home to Jacksonville, 36-22.
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The Jaguars will head to the postseason for the first time since 2017 and the second time since 2007. It is the team’s second AFC South title in the history of the division (since 2002).
The Jaguars won five straight to take the AFC South title, becoming the first team in league history to win their division after going 0-5 in a single calendar month (October).
They also join the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals and 2020 Washington team as the only teams to start 2-6 and make the playoffs. Interestingly enough, the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers both started this season 2-6 and have the opportunity to make the playoffs Sunday.
“We just kept believing,” Lawrence said. “Nobody ever lost faith. Everybody believed in one another. We never started pointing the finger. We lost five games straight and we just got tighter.”
Tyson Campbell interception changed the course of the game
The Jaguars trailed the Titans 16-10 with just a minute remaining in the third quarter. Campbell came up big with an interception on Dobbs down the left sideline. Campbell returned the ball to the Titans’ 29-yard-line.
Up to that point, the Jaguars’ defense was struggling to slow down the Titans. After forcing a first-possession punt, the Jaguars gave up three field goals and a touchdown.
Still, Jacksonville only mustered three points on a field goal after the pick. The momentum was squarely on Jacksonville's side — at least on defense.
Jaguars slow start in first half compounded by early turnover
Jacksonville started the game with a three-and-out on its first possession and fumbled the football on its second possession. Lawrence received the snap and looked to pitch the ball to either Jamal Agnew or Christian Kirk. It was the 12th fumble of the season for Lawrence and ninth lost.
The two drives resulted in 10 points for Tennessee, putting Jacksonville in an early 10-0 hole.
The Titans controlled the ball for 17:58 of the first half, giving Jacksonville little time to put together scoring drives. Jacksonville scored on their final possession of the first half which was preceded by a 50-yard kickoff return by Agnew.
Jacksonville’s touchdown was scored by Lawrence on a 25-yard pass to Kirk. Jacksonville entered halftime trailing 10-7 with momentum still squarely in the Titans’ favor.
The offense struggled throughout the contest, though, netting just 216 total net yards, including 18 total net rushing yards.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82.
Contributing: Associated Press