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Jaguars win AFC South after defensive scoop-and-score, beat Titans 20-16. Here are our takeaways
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- Jaguars win AFC South after defensive scoop-and-score, beat Titans 20-16. Here are our takeaways
With just under three minutes remaining, the Jaguars got their miracle.
The Tennessee Titans owned a 16-13 lead with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. With their backs against the wall, Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins made the play of the game — and maybe the season — sacking Titans QB Joshua Dobbs , forcing a fumble that got scooped and quickly taken into the end zone by outside linebacker Josh Allen.
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Once Jacksonville went up 20-16, the game was essentially over with the Titans unable to muster much of a closing drive, ultimately giving Jacksonville the ball back in the closing seconds.
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (41) reacts as he is introduced before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
That was the surge Jacksonville needed without much time remaining in the contest. A game that was expected to be easier than it was, simply wasn't as it looked as though the Jaguars would fall just short of a coveted AFC South title.
The Jaguars searched for a lead the entire contest, trailing the Titans until the Allen scoop-and-score. It is the second game-winning touchdown by Jacksonville's defense this season — both with Jenkins around the play somewhere.
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The Jaguars became AFC South champions for just the second time in team history, the first since 2017 when the team reached the AFC Championship game.
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Game recap: Jaguars vs. Titans
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The Jaguars won four games in a row prior to Saturday night's contest to put themselves in position to take the AFC South.
Jacksonville began the season 2-6 before turning things around with a 6-2 run, including victories over the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys, two playoff-caliber teams. The Titans were headed in the opposite direction having lost six-straight games including one at home to Jacksonville, 36-22.
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Playoff bound: Jaguars stamp their ticket to the postseason
The Jaguars will head to the postseason for the first time since 2017 and the second time since 2007. It is the team's second AFC South title in the history of the division.
The Jaguars won five-straight to take the AFC South title, becoming the first team in league history to win their division after going 0-5 in a single calender month (October).
They also join the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals and 2020 Washington Football teams 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 opportunity to make the playoffs Sunday.
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Tyson Campbell interception changed the course of the game
The Jaguars trailed the Titans 16-10 with just a minute remaining in the third quarter. Campbell came up big with an interception on Titans QB Joshua Dobbs down the left sideline. Campbell returned the ball to the Titans' 29-yard-line.
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (32) celebrates his interception with safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) with a chain thrown onto the field by a fan in the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Up to that point, the Jaguars' defense was struggling to slow down the Titans. After forcing a first-possession punt, the Jaguars gave up three field goals and a touchdown.
Still, Jacksonville only mustered three points on a field goal after the pick. The momentum was squarely on Jacksonville's side — at least on defense.
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Jaguars slow start in first half compounded by early turnover
Jacksonville started the game with a three-and-out on its first possession and fumbled the football on its second possession. Lawrence received the snap and looked to pitch the ball to either Jamal Agnew or Christian Kirk . It was the 12th fumble of the season for Lawrence and ninth lost.
The two drives resulted in 10 points for Tennessee, putting Jacksonville in an early 10-0 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 their final possession of the first half which was preceded by a 50-yard kick-off return by Agnew.
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Jacksonville's touchdown was scored by Lawrence on a 25-yard pass to Kirk. Jacksonville entered halftime trailing 10-7 with momentum still squarely in the Titans' favor.
The offense struggled throughout the contest, though, netting just 216 total net yards, including 18 total net rushing yards.
Jaguars fans pack the bank for biggest game of regular season
Jaguars fans showed up in droves for tonight's contest against the Titans, their biggest regular-season game in quite some time. The official number reported for tickets distributed Saturday night was 70,050.
It is the largest attended game since Jacksonville removed the tarps in 2018 that covered part of the upper bowl. The previous regular season high came against the Cowboys this year with 69,292 tickets distributed. It also eclipsed the team's playoff game against the Bills on Jan. 8, 2018 with 69,422 tickets distributed.
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Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82 .
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars defeat Tennessee Titans 20-16 to take AFC South crown
