10 Must-Do Things for Victory vs. Panthers

JACKSONVILLE – The scenarios are as clear as the objective.

The Jaguars (8-7) can clinch the AFC South Sunday with a victory over the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium – if they get help elsewhere around the NFL. They can also clinch the division with a victory Sunday and one over the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn., next week.

They need no help in the latter scenario. But as Head Coach Doug Pederson sees it, playoff possibilities this week perhaps aren’t as important as something more fundamental:

Winning – and in particular, playing better to do so.

First, here is the Jaguars’ specific postseason scenario Sunday:

• They can clinch a second consecutive AFC South title if they beat the 2-13 Panthers, and – IF the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans both lose Sunday. The Colts (8-7) play host to the Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) and the Texans play host to the Tennessee Titans (5-10).

But as Pederson and Jaguars players have noted all week, the first priority Sunday is to play well. They haven’t done that lately, with the result being four consecutive losses – including a 30-12 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday.

The Jaguars have committed 15 turnovers in the last seven games. They are not coincidentally 2-5 in that span, during which time they have transformed from one of the better teams in the AFC to a team trying to regain momentum as January approaches.

The Jaguars’ season is far from over. Yes, the playoffs are well within reach. But they need to play better and win Sunday.