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Jacksonville Jaguars squeak past Colts, 23-17, to hold AFC South lead
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- Jacksonville Jaguars squeak past Colts, 23-17, to hold AFC South lead
The Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) came into Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts (8-8) in a virtual must-win situation after the Houston Texans took down the Los Angeles Chargers the night before.
The Jaguars needed to win against the Colts before returning home needing to win against the Tennessee Titans in Week 18 if they wanted to win the AFC South for the first time since 2022.
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They got the job done, winning 23-17 , although it wasn't without some drama in a tight divisional matchup on the road.
With the win, the Jaguars have won 12 games in a season for the first time since 2005. The 12 wins is tied for the second-best regular season in team history.
Jaguars defense comes out slow, mostly shuts downs Indy offense
Jacksonville didn't exactly get off to a fast start against the Colts. The team's special teams unit allowed a long return on the opening kickoff, while Jacksonville's defense allowed scores on both of the Colts' first two possessions.
On the first drive, the Colts had to travel just 29 yards before punching in a chip-shot, 33-yard field goal.
Dec 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) reacts after a touchdown during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
On the second drive, Indianapolis asserted its power over Jacksonville's defense, driving 83 yards for a touchdown. Jonathan Taylor , on that drive, ran the ball seven times for 26 yards, adding a catch for seven more, totaling 33 yards, including a three-yard rushing touchdown.
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Colts quarterback Phillip Rivers began the game 9 of 15 for 80 yards. Jacksonville's defense made its first stop on the Colts' third drive of the game. The Colts mustered just four plays for 16 yards.
Besides an 83-yard touchdown drive allowed early on, though, Jacksonville's defense stood tall for much of the game. Besides two short-field situations, the Jaguars' defense held up well, forcing a punt on four other occasions as the fourth quarter began.
Jacksonville's defense allowed just one second-half score, a five-yard touchdown to Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox.
Jaguars offense gets yards, has trouble scoring early vs. Colts
The Jaguars did not go without excitement on offense against the Colts early on.
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They out-gained Indianapolis 175-130 total net yards in the first half, including 11-10 first downs and 52-50 rushing yards, 123-80 passing yards. In nearly every metric, including average yards per play 6.5-4.7 in the first half.
Still, Jacksonville trailed 10-7 at halftime thanks to two inopportune plays during the first 30 minutes of action.
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Liam Coen has praised the team's offensive line and quarterback Trevor Lawrence' awareness in combating blitzes by opposing defenses.
On first down at the Colts' 17-yard line, the Jaguars attempted a trick play, throwing the ball to receiver Jakobi Meyers short for a yard before he lateraled back to running back Travis Etienne . Etienne fumbled the football, though, which was recovered by Indianapolis.
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In the team's final drive to end the first half, Jacksonville had the ball at the Colts' 16-yard line before Lawrence dropped back to throw into the back of the end zone toward receiver Parker Washington .
The throw was made into tight coverage, however, with Germaine Pratt intercepting the football for the team's second red zone turnover of the day.
The interception marked Jacksonville's sixth red-zone turnover, the most in the NFL this season at the time.
Jacksonville's bad luck evaporated in the second half, though, with Lawrence able to score on the ground for a second time, ninth on the season, giving the team its first lead of the game, 14-10.
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The Jaguars were able to tie the game 17-17 late in the third quarter, and with the Colts driving midway through the fourth, Jarrian Jones intercepted Rivers, leading to a 42-yard field goal that allowed the Jaguars to take the lead for good.
Lawrence finished the game, completing 23 of 37 passes for 263 yards and an interception. He added 26 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries.
Jaguars special teams make crucial errors to help Colts offense
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin (16) works to move past Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) on a kickoff return Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Jacksonville's third unit wasn't without some blame for its shortfalls on Sunday.
Jacksonville's opening kickoff was returned 53 yards to the Jacksonville 44-yard line, setting up the Colts for an eight-play, 29-yard drive that ended in the first points of the game, a 33-yard field goal.
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The next special teams blunder by Jacksonville came after the team took its first lead of the game, up 14-3.
The Jaguars kicked the ball off, and it was subsequently returned for 55 yards to the Jacksonville 39-yard line. The Colts turned their short-field advantage into a touchdown to take their second lead of the game, up 17-14.
Next Up: Jaguars to take on Titans for division title
Nov 30, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) reacts after a sack against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
The Jaguars will return home to EverBank Stadium next week to take on the Tennessee Titans. If the Jaguars defeat the Titans, then they will become the AFC South champions. If they lose, and the Houston Texans defeat the Colts at home next week, then the Texans will win the division.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars beat Colts 23-17, keep AFC South lead at 12-4
