Jaguars’ late scoop-and-score clinches AFC South over Titans

The Jacksonville Jaguars are AFC South champions for the 1st time in 5 years, a title secured when Josh Allen returned a fumble 37 yards for a touchdown.  This aided them seal a 20-16 victory above Tennessee on Saturday night.

Rayshawn Jenkins forced Josh Dobbs’ fumble. Allen then scooped up the ball and ran, untouched, the other way for a lead that held up against the Titans in a acquire-and-in game in the typical-year finale for the two.

Dobbs fumbled all over again on the ensuing possession, and the Jaguars (9-8) commenced to rejoice their most major typical-period victory in franchise background.

“This was a person of those people online games where our defense experienced to gain it for us,” Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. “Us guys on offense, we’re a small frustrated simply because we still left a whole lot out there, But in these online games, just earn. Our protection picked us up these days. They played terrific.”

Click Here FOR Extra Sports Coverage ON FOXNEWS.COM

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (41) returns a fumble for a landing in the second 50 {18875d16fb0f706a77d6d07e16021550e0abfa6771e72d372d5d32476b7d07ec} of an NFL soccer game towards the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla.
(AP Picture/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville gained the No. 4 seed in the conference playoffs and will host both the Los Angeles Chargers or Baltimore in the wild-card round up coming weekend.

It’s the 18th time in the last 20 seasons that at minimum a person NFL workforce gained its division following ending previous or tied for final the former yr.

Jacksonville closed the frequent time with its fifth consecutive victory and turned the fifth group in NFL history to make the playoffs with a 5-video game losing streak and a five-game profitable streak in the exact year.

“We just retained believing,” Lawrence explained. “No person at any time shed religion. Everyone believed in one particular an additional. We never ever commenced pointing the finger. We misplaced 5 games straight and we just received tighter.”

Tennessee (7-10) misplaced its last 7 video games, a skid that had just about all people creating them off right before Saturday’s finale.

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (41) and basic safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) celebrate their hit that forced a fumble and their return for a touchdown in the next fifty percent of an NFL football match versus the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla.
(AP Photograph/John Raou)

JAGUARS, TITANS Appear Alongside one another FOR Group PRAYER FOR DAMAR HAMLIN AT MIDFIELD Just before DO-OR-DIE Game

The Titans rested quite a few starters past 7 days and primarily produced a 10-day crack to get nutritious. They returned to their bruising brand name of soccer and appeared like they would pull an improbable turnaround — until finally Dobbs’ turnover modified the sport.

The Jaguars were 6 1/2-position favorites, in accordance to FanDuel Sportsbook, and a in the vicinity of-sellout group was on hand to witness what many assumed would be extra of a coronation than a scratch-and-claw nail-biter.

The Titans didn’t do nearly anything impressive. With quarterback Ryan Tannehill (ankle) out for the time, they leaned on Dobbs — an aerospace engineer who has bounced about the league — to be intelligent with the ball and Derrick Henry to grind out difficult yards. And they relied on a protection which is been stout in opposition to the operate all calendar year.

It labored for 37 minutes — and then it unraveled.

Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates with Christian Kirk #13 of the Jacksonville Jaguars following Kirk’s getting landing during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at TIAA Bank Subject on January 07, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. 
(Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Click on Listed here TO GET THE FOX Information Application

Henry concluded with 109 yards on 30 carries. Dobbs done 20 of 29 passes for 179 yards, with a touchdown, an interception and the fumble.

Lawrence finished 20 of 32 passes for 212 yards, with a touchdown and a fumble. Lawrence experienced two would-be touchdowns in the second fifty percent tumble incomplete. He overthrew Zay Jones in the conclude zone and underthrew Christian Kirk.