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Jacksonville Jaguars beat Colts 36-19, now lead AFC South all alone
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- Jacksonville Jaguars beat Colts 36-19, now lead AFC South all alone
The Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) got some separation in their race to win the AFC South after defeating the Indianapolis Colts (8-5) 36-19 at home.
The Jaguars have won every home game against the Colts since 2015.
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The win gives Jacksonville sole possession of first place in the division, a 1.5-game lead over the Colts and a one-game lead over the Houston Texans , who were 7-5 ahead of their Week 14 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs .
Jacksonville is third in the AFC playoff bracket behind just the Denver Broncos (second, 10-2) and the New England Patriots (first, 11-2). They completed the victory in consistent rain throughout the contest.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence didn't appear rattled because of the rain, either. Lawrence completed 17 out of 30 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns. He added four carries for 16 yards.
RYAN O'HALLORAN: Defense, Brian Thomas, Jr. show up big in Jaguars' rout of Colts
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Jacksonville's offense totaled 351 total net yards, including 247 total net yards passing and 104 net yards rushing.
The Jaguars pulled Lawrence and several other starters with about seven minutes left in the game. Jacksonville put the game away earlier than the fourth quarter, but it was markedly over after Josh Hines-Allen 's sack for a safety late in the contest to give Jacksonville a 33-13 lead.
With nine wins this season, it'll mark three winning seasons in the last four years. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen's nine wins also tie former coach Doug Pederson for the most wins by a Jaguars head coach in the regular season since Doug Marrone got 10 in 2017.
Jaguars hold Colts RB Jonathan Taylor to under four yards a carry
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) is brought down by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) in the first quarter during an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
The Jaguars entered Sunday's game against Indianapolis understanding their assignment would be to stop Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor entered the game as the league's best rusher with 1,282 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.
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The Jaguars had a plan for Taylor and seemingly stuck with it the entire game. With just 10 minutes left in the game, Taylor had mustered only 74 yards on 21 carries, good for 3.5 yards per carry. He was pulled from the game with about seven minutes left, and his best run was a 14-yard gain in the fourth quarter.
Jacksonville's defense held the Colts to fewer than 300 total net yards and forced three turnovers, including two interceptions and a forced fumble.
Devin Lloyd , Eric Murray come up big with early turnovers
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) runs with the ball after an interception in the first quarter during an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
It didn't take long for Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloydto make his presence known against the Colts on Sunday. On Indianapolis' first play offense, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones dropped back and threw the ball right to Lloyd, who fell back in coverage.
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The pick was Lloyd's fifth of the season and led to Jacksonville essentially getting two drives to start the game before the Colts could run one. Jacksonville failed to score on its first drive of the game, but got seven points off the first turnover of the game.
Jaguars safety Eric Murraymade his return to the field after missing five games due to a neck injury. He returned with a bang, notching a forced fumble in the second quarter, which the Jaguars offense turned into a quick, 28-yard touchdown run by running back Travis Etienne . Cornerback Jarrian Jones recovered the fumble.
Travis Etienne gives Jaguars early boost with two touchdowns
Etienne got Jacksonville off to a quick start Sunday with two touchdowns, both coming after the Jaguars got a turnover.
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The first touchdown came after Jacksonville's interception to start the game. Etienne took the ball three yards in for the score after the Jaguars' drive began at the Colts' 21-yard line.
Etienne's second score came after Murray's forced fumble, resulting in a 28-yard touchdown run with Etienne. Etienne had eight carries for 57 yards and two touchdowns at halftime.
Etienne finished the game with 74 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
Brian Thomas Jr. comes up big vs. Colts with multiple deep catches
In his second game back from injury, Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr.came down with multiple big-play passes against the Colts. Two came during the first half, and another just before the end of the third quarter. Thomas had three catches for 87 yards heading into the fourth quarter.
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Thomas came down with an 18-, 39- and 30-yard catches.
Thomas' best game came during the team's Week 6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks . He caught eight passes for 90 yards and a touchdown.
Colts QB Daniel Jones exits game early with Achilles injury
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) falls to the ground after an apparent injury during the first quarter of an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
As the first quarter was coming to a close, Jones dropped back for what is likely the last time this season after sustaining an Achilles injury . He appeared frustrated on the field, slamming his helmet twice before being helped off the field. He was ruled out quickly after going into the locker room.
Jones entered the game with a fracture in his left leg, but sported a specialty brace to support it and continue playing.
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Jones exited the game, completing 5 of 7 passes for 60 yards and an interception. In his place, the Colts sent in backup QB Riley Leonard . They entered the game with just two quarterbacks on the roster.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars defeat Indianapolis Colts at home 36-19
