Josh Allen’s TD return helps Jaguars get on top vs. Titans and win AFC South

The Jacksonville Jaguars trailed for most of their matchup against the Tennessee Titans in Week 18 but ended up winning 20-13 thanks to a touchdown return by outside linebacker Josh Allen. With a win over their division foes in the season finale, the Jags have now advanced to the playoffs and seized the AFC South crown.

After a slow start and letting the Tennessee Titans score 10 unanswered points, the Jacksonville offense woke up and managed to put points in their third possession when Trevor Lawrence found wide receiver Christian Kirk in the end zone.

The Jags got the ball first in the second half and they had no trouble moving the ball right until they got to the Titans’ end zone. Lawrence overthrew Zay Jones on third-and-7 and Jacksonville had to settle for a field goal, which cut down Tennesse’s lead to 13-10.

The Titans then marched down the field in their first possession of the third quarter but got stopped at the Jaguars’ 23-yard line. They extended their lead to 16-10 with a 41-yard field goal by Randy Bullock.

The Jacksonville offense wasn’t able to do much with their next possession and handed the ball back to the Titans. Derrick Henry broke off a big run but a holding penalty nullified it, giving the Jaguars a big break.

Cornerback Tyson Campbell then came up with a huge interception that gave the Jaguars the ball back all the way to Tennessee’s 18-yard line. Jacksonville wasn’t able to reach the end zone though, and kicker Riley Patterson nailed a field goal that drew them to within 16-13.
In Tennesse’s next possession, now in the fourth quarter, the Jaguars’ defense made a stop and forced a punt. Travon Walker made Josh Dobbs step up in the pocket and defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris proceeded to sack him. But once again, the offense failed to do much.

In fact, following their field goal, they punted in two straight drives despite the fact that the defense stopped the Titans’ twice. For a moment, it looked like the Jaguars were on the verge of losing the game but with 2:51 left in the fourth quarter and trailing 16-13, safety Rayshawn Jenkins forced Joshua Dobbs to fumble the ball, which Josh Allen scooped and returned for a touchdown.

The Jaguars are 9-7 and advance to the playoffs after the win vs. Titans

Nobody blamed you if you started getting fidgety in the second half, with the Jaguars struggling the get anything going on offense. This is why the defense deserves plenty of credit for the win, especially when you take into account that they had no answer for running back Derrick Henry and the Titans’ offense in the first half.

Lawrence went 20-of-32 for 212 yards with one touchdown. Running back Travis Etienne toted the rock seven times for 17 yards and the Jags totaled 226 yards and 16 first downs.

This is the first time the Jags win their division and make the playoffs since 2017. Also, this is the second time they win nine games or more since 2008. All things considered, this season has been a huge success. #Duuuval!