Jaguars one step closer to the playoffs after win vs. Panthers: 3 takeaways

The Jacksonville Jaguars faced the Carolina Panthers in what was basically a must-win game. Although they ultimately came out on top, it wasn't a given that the Jaguars were going to win. After all, Carolina was 2-13 heading into the game but Jacksonville was sitting on a four-game losing skid. Heck, the Panthers had won one game the past month, while the Jags have been just a glimpse of the team that went 6-2 to start the season.

Maybe losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the wake-up the Jags needed. Perhaps the prospect of missing the playoffs after qualifying last year was too much to bear. Either way, the Jags put on a dominant display, beating Carolina 26-0. Moreover, they did it without Trevor Lawrence, who missed the first game of his NFL career while dealing with a shoulder sprain.

Following the game, head coach Doug Pederson made sure to recognize his player's effort and commitment, knowing that they were at risk of getting knocked out of playoff contention.

"After four weeks of a little bit of heartbreak, it's the one thing I appreciate about our guys is they continue to roll up their sleeves, they continue to go to work," Pederson said when he met with the local media. "They know the mistakes they've made, that we've been making. But yet, they continue to work, and they continue to work hard during the week."

"And it showed it today. It might not have been a pretty football game, but they never are. They're hard, they're gritty, they're tough. They're physical, all that stuff, just proud of our guys for the way they competed today," Pederson said.

So what stood out in the Jaguars' ninth win of the season? A few things, including the next three.

3. CJ Beathard did enough during Trevor Lawrence's absence

There's always a dropoff from the starting quarterback to the backup, which is why Trevor Lawrence hadn't missed a game prior to Week 17 despite the fact that he was dealing with several ailments. However, the shoulder sprain proved too much to overcome and he ended up missing the bout.

With Lawrence unable to go, Beathard got the starting nod, the first time he did since the 2020 season finale. All things considered, Beathard did enough in Larwence's absence, going 17-of-24 for 178 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

Even though Beathard didn't have many big-time throws beyond the 48-yard completion to Jamal Agnew, he consistently looked for ways to keep the offense going. He even scrambled a few times to move the chains, but more importantly, he didn't turn the ball over. Doug Pederson was most definitely pleased with his performance.

"I thought CJ played. He played smart. He played tough and came back in after being checked. He ran the offense. Credit the offensive line, especially in the second half, taking over and helping out in the run game. The thing too sometimes is when your starter's out and the backup's in, the focus of the attention is a little more zeroed in. And we saw that today really from not only the offense but the defense as well," Pederson said.

As Pederson noted, Beathard was checked for a concussion after getting hit on the head. He left the game briefly, with Matt Barkley filling in, but quickly returned to the lineup, showcasing the toughness Pederson alluded to.

It's uncertain if Lawrence will be good to go in the final. If he isn't, Beathard told the media that he's ready to take on the Tennessee Titans.

2. The Jaguars pass rush duo of Travon Walker and Josh Allen showed up vs. the Panthers

Outside linebacker Josh Allen had been chasing Calais Campbell's sack record for a while this season. Allen was one short of the 14.5 "The Mayor" logged in 2017 since Week 13. However, the record evaded him until Week 17, when he was at last able to tie it, break it, and then add an extra sack while he was at it.

Now, Allen has 16.5 sacks for the season, which is more than the total he posted in 2022 and 2021 combined. Following the game, he credited his teammates for staying with him through the good and the bad. He also made sure to shout out fellow edge rusher Travon Walker, who registered two sacks against the Panthers and is now one short of getting 10 in 2023.

While the rest of the Jaguars' defensive front has failed to consistently bring the heat this season, Josh Allen and Travon Walker have routinely delivered. Sure, Roy Robertson-Harris also logged a sack against the Panthers but he nor any other players on the front seven has the same impact as either Allen or Walker. What makes their success even more satisfactory is that they both entered the 2023 season with unanswered questions.

Allen had played at an elite level at times at his career but he hadn't consistently played like the top edge rusher the Jaguars expected. The team's brass opted to let his rookie contract play out to see if he could put it all together. He did and is now set to earn a massive payday in the offseason.

Walker, for his part, was mostly a non-factor in his rookie season. While he showed flashes, he also struggled with the transition to outside linebacker full-time after mainly playing with his hand in the ground in college. The former Georgia Bulldog finished the 2022 season with just 3.5 sacks but has improved considerably this year.

The Jags still need to round out their rotation but Josh Allen and Travon Walker showed in the win over the Panthers what they can accomplish they hit their stride.

1. The Jaguars took a step toward the playoffs, the work isn't over

The Jaguars took care of business in Week 17, but don't forget the Panthers are literally the worst team in the league. Had they lost, they wouldn't have deserved to make the playoffs nor win the division. On the other hand, the impact of the victory cannot not be overstated.

Jacksonville was coming off a four-game losing streak and both players and Doug Pederson sounded particularly defeated following the defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Then again, sometimes, a pesky win is the spark a club needs to get back on track. That the Jaguars beat Carolina without Trevor Lawrence is worthy of praise.

Against the Panthers, the Jags put an emphasis on getting the running game going, something they've failed to do in the second half of the season. Running back Travis Etienne crossed the 100-yard mark for only the second time this season, while Evan Engram surpassed the 100-catch mark, the 11th time in NFL history a team has reached the milestone.

Simply put, the offense was operating in a way it hadn't since the win over the Houston Texans. The defense also did their part, shutting Carolina out and sacking Bryce Young six times. Again, Jacksonville put down a bad team but they did enough to keep their season alive.

If the Jaguars can build on their latest win and once again show out against the Titans, maybe, just maybe they could make a deep playoff push. That said, they must take it one game at a time, and not put their guard down in the season finale.

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