JACKSONVILLE – The opportunity is at hand, and make no mistake:
However the Jaguars arrived at Week 18 of the 2023 NFL season, they absolutely enter the week of the regular-season finale with a special opportunity.
“We embrace it,” Head Coach Doug Pederson said Monday.
The AFC South-leading Jaguars (9-7), who snapped a four-game losing streak with a 26-0 victory over the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium Sunday, will play the Tennessee Titans (5-11) at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday at 1 p.m. If the Jaguars win, they will win a second consecutive AFC South title.
If they lose, they cannot win the South – though they could make the playoffs as a wild card with a loss if the Baltimore Ravens beat the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday and if the Denver Broncos lose to the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
“We’re just fortunate and blessed to be in this position at the end of the year,” Pederson said. “It’s always been our goal to be in the conversation and to play in these meaningful games this late in the year.
“We could’ve done better in a few games here recently and we wouldn’t be in this situation, but we are. We own it, we’re looking forward to the opportunity Sunday.”
The Jaguars, after an 8-3 start, lost four consecutive games to teams .500 or better – 34-31 in overtime to the Cincinnati Bengals, 31-27 to the Cleveland Browns, 26-7 to the Baltimore Ravens and 30-12 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bengals were eliminated from the postseason Sunday, with the Browns and Ravens having clinched playoff appearances and the Buccaneers needing a victory in Week 18 to win the NFC North.
The Jaguars, after committing 10 turnovers and allowing 139.8 yards per game rushing during the four-game streak, did not commit a turnover Sunday and held the Panthers to 57 yards rushing.
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