The Jacksonville Jaguars have gone from the worst team in the NFL — two years running — to AFC South champions.
Josh Allen returned a fumble by Joshua Dobbs 37 yards with less than three minutes remaining Saturday to give the Jaguars a 20-16 victory over the Tennesee Titans.
The Jaguars came into the 2022 season having had the first overall pick in the last two NFL drafts.
They suffered through the embarrassment of Urban Meyer’s short stint as coach last year.
Doug Pederson was hired and when the team was 3-7 this year told the Jaguars he had a crystal ball and the season would come down to Week 18 against the Titans.
That it did and when the big play had to be made it was by the defense.
Rayshawn Jenkins forced a fumble that flew out of Dobbs’ hands and Allen was in the right spot. He picked the ball up and took off for the end zone.
Rayshawn Jenkins comes up with another clutch play for the @Jaguars!
📺: #TENvsJAX on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/7G4GCGiaVR pic.twitter.com/KZ236Nncw7— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
The Titans had one more drive but turned the ball over on downs.
.@JoshAllen41_ is making PLAYS in this final quarter 😤
📺: #TENvsJAX on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/7G4GCGiaVR pic.twitter.com/q8nToSohUc— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
The @Jaguars defense gets the stop on 4th down!
📺: #TENvsJAX on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/7G4GCGiaVR pic.twitter.com/CifjjKmM0o— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
The Jaguars are AFC South champions at 9-8 and head into the postseason having won five straight. They will be the No. 4 seed and play host to a Wild-Card game.
The Titans, who were favored to win the division, finished at 7-10 and lost their last seven games in a dismal finish.
There's a new AFC South CHAMP! #CellyClinched
(by @budlight) pic.twitter.com/S7L5sbJBXk
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
