JACKSONVILLE – The want-to and fight remain.
The Jaguars have shown them in recent weeks. Doug Pederson has seen them – and the Jaguars' head coach doesn't expect to see anything different as a disappointing 2024 regular season comes to an end.
One game remains – and so does the will.
"They're still engaged; they're still focused," Pederson said as the Jaguars (4-12) prepared to play the Indianapolis Colts (7-9) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., Sunday.
The Jaguars, eliminated from the AFC South contention with five games remaining, have won two of four games since – beating the 3-13 Tennessee Titans at home (20-13) and on the road (10-6) and losing to the New York Jets (32-25) and Las Vegas Raiders (19-14).
That stretch continued a stretch of "one-score" games for the Jaguars, who are 3-9 in such games this season.
"The hardest thing probably is just keeping them in it mentally, each week," Pederson said. "It would be easy for them to kind of check out. From that standpoint, it's hard. It was tough just to maintain the focus and the drive and each week be competitive and still give ourselves opportunities to win games.
"On top of that, just the nine of 12 being one-score losses … it's something we've got to work on. We have to focus and push through that barrier. Once you do, you learn how to win and then you'll be better for it."
Pederson on Friday said he was “a little concerned” about a lack of focus Sunday in a fifth consecutive game with no playoff ramifications.
"There might be a little bit of that, but it's probably expected," Pederson said, adding that he is entering the game with mixed emotions – partly because of "how disappointed we are as a team, the things that have kept us from probably winning more games."
Last full practice week of the 2024 regular season. 🏈 Check out practice photos from the Miller Electric Center as the Jaguars prepare to head to Indianapolis for the Colts game in Week 18!
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive linemen Javon Foster (62) and Mitch Morse (65) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive line coach/run game coordinator Phil Rauscher and offensive lineman Javon Foster (62) and during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Maason Smith (94) and defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo (90) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (2) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Myles Gaskin (38) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) and running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback John Wolford (18) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (2) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (31) and quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) and kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) and kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) and kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (31) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Tyler Shatley (69) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince (24) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Caleb Johnson (57) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Matthew Jackson (35) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Maason Smith (94) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Chad Muma (48) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive linemen Tyler Shatley (69), Luke Fortner (79), Cole Van Lanen (70) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby (25) and safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead (91) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland (76) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) and safety Andrew Wingard (42) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Tyler Shatley (69) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Yasir Abdullah (56) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Yasir Abdullah (56) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell (89) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince (24) and safety Matthew Jackson (35) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
"You've got a great opportunity to stand on the field that you've been blessed to play on and coach on," Pederson said. "You've got one more opportunity with these guys, because you know come Monday, Tuesday, the team goes their own way, and you know that it'll be the last time that this team's together ever again. So, it's a little bit of a mixed emotion. But at the same time, I think once the ball is teed up and kicked off, you're in it. You're coaching it to win it and then you see what happens after that."
NOTABLE
- Pederson on rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. being named first alternate to the 2025 Pro Bowl Games Thursday: "I thought he would make it. But I'm excited for him. He's going to have plenty more opportunities to make the Pro Bowl. Just a bright spot for us this year."
QUOTABLE
- Pederson: "We've been around this league almost 30 years, player and coach, and you've seen a lot of things. If this is the last one, then I can look back and go, 'Hey, it was a great run.' You had a chance to do a lot of great things. You had a chance to win a Super Bowl. You've coached some great players. You played in this league for a long time. So, whatever happens, happens. But we keep moving forward."
NOTABLE
- Left tackle Walker Little, who missed last Sunday's home victory over the Titans with an ankle injury, was officially ruled out of Sunday's game according to Friday's final injury report of the week. Pederson said linebacker Ventrell Miller, who also missed this past Sunday with an ankle injury, likely will miss Sunday; Miller was listed as questionable Friday. Three other Jaguars players on the injury report this week –
- Left guard Ezra Cleveland (knee)
- Safety Darnell Savage (concussion)
- Right guard Brandon Scherff (knee/shoulder) – were listed without status Friday and are therefore expected to be available Sunday.
Fit Check: Going out with a bang.👏 The Jaguars will end the 2024 regular season in Indianapolis in white jerseys, black pants and white socks for Week 18. 🖤
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
TE Evan Engram (17)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
WR Christian Kirk (13)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
RB Tank Bigsby (4)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
LB Devin Lloyd (33)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
S Andre Cisco (5)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
P Logan Cooke (9)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
CB Jarrian Jones (22)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
WR Tim Jones (15)
