Jacksonville Jaguars: Sunday’s win vs. Chargers could prove to be season’s most important

Jacksonville Jaguars overcome poor officiating and 4th quarter mistakes for a crucial win to improve to 6-3.

For the second week in a row, the Jacksonville Jaguars overcame adversity and won a game at Everbank Field. The Jaguars dispelled the even week curse and defeating former head coach, Gus Bradley, in an absolute nail biter.

Staying mentally strong in the face of adversity to capture a crucial win to stay tied with the Tennessee Titans atop the AFC South, the Jaguars proved once again that this is a new era in the franchise.

Despite poor officiating calling back Taushaun Gipson‘s fumble return for a touchdown and a false start on Cam Robinson,  the Jaguars were able to get the ball back and force overtime by stuffing the Chargers three straight times in the run game. For the second straight week, the Jaguars run defense was stout, holding Melvin Gordon to 27 yards on 16 carries. The team was able to finally get the best of Phillip Rivers, someone who has killed the Jaguars for years, previously owning a 6-1 record versus the Jaguars.

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For the second straight week, the Jaguars played through challenges, something that was missing in Gus Bradley’s tenure when the team would simply fold at the sight of any challenge. The team also overcame its own mental errors, such as the 2 fourth quarter interceptions by Blake Bortles and the taunting penalty on Aaron Colvin after A.J. Bouye‘s huge interception.

Winning franchises find a way to win even when they don’t necessarily deserve it, and that’s just what the Jaguars did yesterday. In their first overtime win since 2009 and first close game of the season, the Jaguars were forced to change their so far successful running game and instead had to rely heavily on Blake Bortles. He made just enough throws to get the job done, and even when the defense wasn’t dominating, they came up in big spots like they have all season.

The Jaguars now sit at 6-3 and have 3 winnable games in a row before they have to face the Seattle Seahawks. The New Year’s Eve game versus the Titans in Nashville could prove to be the deciding factor in the division. For now, the Jaguars need to focus on the 0-9 Browns and a chance to sweep the AFC North division.