JACKSONVILLE – In the fifth of a series examining the Jaguars' 2023 season, senior writer John Oehser examines the best moments for their special teams in their 9-8 AFC South runner-up season …

1. Big moment, big play. The Jaguars' 31-21 Week 1 road victory over the Indianapolis Colts was very much in doubt early in the fourth quarter. The Jaguars trailed 21-17 with just over 11 minutes remaining when wide receiver/returner Jamal Agnewcaught a punt on a bounce at the Jaguars 6. He ran to his right, picked up a block and nearly got free for a touchdown down the sideline for a 48-yard return to the Colts 46. The play led to running back Tank Bigsby's 1-yard touchdown run that gave the Jaguars a lead they never relinquished. "It's really just making a good decision," Agnew said. "That's what being a returner is. You have to make good decisions to put the offense in good positions. Fortunately, I got a really good bounce. That bounced right to me. And the gunner didn't even know where the ball was. I was like, 'I'm just going to take it and run, get as much as I can.' I see just nothing but open field. I got a couple good blocks, and we got past the 50 and the rest is history."
2. McManus versus Falcons. The Jaguars were methodical during multiple big early-season victories – particularly in a 23-7 Week 4 victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium in London. The Jaguars scored just one offensive touchdown in the game, but they were efficient and clutch offensively throughout the game. The Jaguars pieced together drives of eight, 13 and 10 plays that resulted in field goals of 56, 43 and 38 yards by kicker Brandon McManus.
3. Cooke in the clutch. Jaguars punter Logan Cooke has been among the NFL's best players at his position for more than a half decade. He again showed why in the Jaguars' 25-20 Week 5 victory over the Buffalo Bills at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, punting five times for a 49.4-yard average – a 43.6-yard net – and downing three punts inside the 20-yard line. Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen called a punt by Cooke that pinned the Bills at their 5-yard line with :30 remaining "the perfect punt."
4. Clinchers. McManus had multiple clutch games in 2023, with one coming in a 37-20 Week 6 home victory over the Colts. McManus converted three of three field goals that day – from 48, 49 and 51 yards. The final two field goals extended the Jaguars' lead from 31-20 to 37-20 in the fourth quarter after the Colts had cut a 31-6 lead to 31-20.
5. Big when it mattered. Cooke, as he did against the Bills, turned in multiple big punts in big moments in a 31-24 Week 7 road victory over the New Orleans Saints. Cooke punted five times on Thursday Night Football for a 44.8-yard average and a 44.8-yard net with four punts downed inside the 20.
6. Clutch again. McManus was clutch again in a 20-10 Week 8 road victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the Jaguars' offense moving effectively between the 20-yard lines but scoring just one touchdown, McManus' consistency pushed the Jaguars to 9-3 halftime lead and helped them clinch the victory late. He converted four of four field goals in the victory from 50, 51, 37 and 38 yards.
7. Matiscik versus Titans. Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscikemerged as the NFL's best player at his position in 2023, leading NFL long snappers with eight solo tackles. He also during a 34-14 Week 11 home victory over the Tennessee Titans became the first long snapper since 2005 to record a forced fumble and fumble recovery in the same game. "It's great when you see him down the field making those kinds of plays," Head Coach Doug Pederson said. "Getting a hand on the ball and recovering the ball. He's tough and he hung in there, it was good to see him get that play."