JACKSONVILLE – Gus Bradley can't predict the future.
So, the Jaguars' head coach wouldn't say Friday that the team has "figured out" how to win close games – not if "figured out" means it automatically will keep happening again and again.
But it has happened more often than not in recent weeks, and that ability to do something the Jaguars struggled to do early in the season was a huge factor in an emotional, come-from-behind victory over the Tennessee Titans Thursday at EverBank Field.
It's also a huge reason the Jaguars are still in the AFC South race.
The mission now is clear: Keep doing what they've been doing, which means continuing to make big plays at key times.
"We've shown signs of it," Bradley said Friday, a day after the Jaguars scored the final 10 points to beat the Titans 19-13 for their second consecutive victory. "Any time that resiliency pays off and you get a win, I think it adds to the mindset, it helps the mindset and it gives them confidence. That part is good.
"We also realize that every game is different and just because you did it one week doesn't mean it will automatically show up the next week. It's something we can build on and talk to the players about, but more so to understand what does it take to get to that point where you do have that faith."
The Jaguars, after four consecutive losses – including three consecutive on the road – have won three of their last four games to move to 4-6. That leaves them a half-game behind AFC South-leading Indianapolis and Houston entering the weekend.
The Jaguars defeated the Tennessee Titans in epic fashion. Here are some player thoughts from Thursday night's victory!
The Jaguars this season have been within a score or held the lead in the fourth quarter in eight of their nine games, with the exception being a 51-17 Week 3 loss at New England. Their four victories all have been decided in the fourth quarter, with the Jaguars beating Miami 23-20 in Week 2, Buffalo 34-31 in Week 7, Baltimore 22-20 last week and Tennessee 19-13 on Thursday.
Bradley on Friday said while the Jaguars are a young team with young players such as quarterback Blake Bortles and wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns playing key roles, he believes the team can remain focused entering the final six weeks.
"That's my hope," he said. "I guess we'll wait and see. That will be the talk. They're sure saying the right things and acting the right way. In the locker room, in our talk, in those, a couple of players said some things to the team that I thought were spot on. Your actions are going to reflect it.
"When we come back and go back to work, I think that my mind is of the idea that they'll come ready to go and work because they've shown us nothing otherwise. That's always a challenge. I have great faith in them, but that's something we'll watch as a team and make sure that we're keeping it tight and going in the right direction."
The Jaguars play three of their next four games at EverBank Field, playing host to San Diego (2-7) Sunday, visiting Tennessee (2-8) the following week, then playing back-to-back home games against Atlanta (6-3) and Indianapolis (4-5).
Also around the Jaguars:
*Otto linebacker Dan Skuta left Thursday's game in the second quarter with a groin injury. He originally sustained the injury against the Jets on November 8, and after missing a November 15 victory over Baltimore, he was a game-time decision Thursday. Skuta said Thursday it was his decision to play through the injury. Bradley said while the medical staff plays a big role in the process, "they're going to base it off of how he feels and how he works out." Bradley added that Skuta was truthful with how much he could play and what he could offer. "He wasn't 100 percent, but he felt like it was good," Bradley said. "He can play at a very high level. It's unfortunate that it happened, but I appreciate his mentality and how he went about it." …
*Guard Zane Beadles sustained a concussion Thursday and was in the NFL concussion protocol as of Friday.
*Running back T.J Yeldon played through a foot injury Thursday and the team announced Friday that he came out of the game without any issues. …