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With just under three minutes remaining, the Jacksonville Jaguars got their miracle.
The Tennessee Titans had a 16-13 lead with just over three minutes left in the fourth quarter. With his back against the wall, Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins played the game – and maybe the season – by sacking Titans QB Joshua Dobbs, forcing a fumble that was picked up and quickly taken into the end zone by the outside linebacker Josh Allen.
Once Jacksonville went up 20-16, the game was essentially over, with the Titans unable to muster much of the closing drive, eventually handing the ball to Jacksonville in the dying seconds.
It was the push Jacksonville needed with not much time left in the contest. A game that was supposed to be easier than it was, just wasn’t as it looked like the Jaguars would fall just short of a coveted AFC South title.
The Jaguars sought a lead throughout the contest, trailing the Titans until Allen’s scoop and score. It’s the second game-winning touchdown by the Jacksonville defense this season — both with Jenkins somewhere in the game.
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The Jaguars became AFC South champions for only the second time in team history, the first since 2017 when the team reached the AFC Championship game.
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The Jaguars have won four straight heading into Saturday night’s game to put themselves in a position to take on AFC South.
Jacksonville started the season 2-6 before turning it around with a 6-2 streak, including wins over the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys, two playoff-bound teams. The Titans were heading in the opposite direction after losing six straight games including one at home to Jacksonville, 36-22.
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The Jaguars will head to the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and the second time since 2007. This is the team’s second AFC South title in divisional history (since 2002).
The Jaguars won five in a row to claim 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 the 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 chance to qualify for the playoffs on Sunday.
Tyson Campbell’s interception changed the course of the game
The Jaguars trailed the Titans 16-10 with just one minute left in the third quarter. Campbell had an interception on Dobbs on the left sideline. Campbell returned the ball to the Titans 29-yard line.
Until then, the Jaguars defense was struggling to slow down the Titans. After forcing a punt in first possession, the Jaguars allowed three field goals and a touchdown.
Still, Jacksonville only had three points on a field goal after the pick. The momentum was squarely on Jacksonville’s side — at least on defense.
Jaguars get off to a slow start in the first half, made worse by an early turnover
Jacksonville started the game with a three-and-out on its first possession and fumbled the ball on its second possession. Lawrence received the snap and looked to throw the ball to Jamal Agnew or Christian Kirk. It was the 12th fumble of the season for Lawrence and the ninth lost.
Both drives gave Tennessee 10 points, putting Jacksonville in a 10-0 first 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 its last 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 in favor of the Titans.
The offense struggled throughout the contest, hauling in just 216 total net yards, including 18 net rushing yards.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82.
