JACKSONVILLE – Here. At. Last.
The Jaguars on Sunday will visit the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. – the last game in what by any reasonable measure has been a long and strikingly disappointing 2024 regular season.
The Jaguars are 4-12, with losses in seven of the last nine games. They have been eliminated from AFC South contention since December 1, which made for a weird final five weeks or so.
That doesn't mean they haven't fought. It doesn't mean there haven't been high moments.
It does mean that what was expected before the season to be a December and January with talk of postseason possibilities has instead become a December and January playing largely meaningless games with a focus on the future.
Jaguars-Colts will be one more game in that vein, with the Colts having been eliminated from the postseason with a loss to the New York Giants last Sunday.
The Jaguars can complete a season sweep over the Colts with a victory, and a victory also would give them a winning record against AFC South teams for a third consecutive season.
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.
Here are 10 things they must do Sunday to get that victory:
- Get the ball to BTJ – soon, and often. This remains a recurring Jaguars late-season theme, and there has been no better Jaguars late-season theme. When they have produced offensively this season, it usually has been rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. doing the producing. Keep doing that until it stops working. And then do it some more.
- Stop the run. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor remains one of the NFL's elite players at his position – and he's having another elite season. If the Jaguars don't stop Taylor, they have little chance.
- Force a turnover – and turn it into points. The Jaguars this season have forced a league-low eight turnovers defensively. They turned a first-half interception by linebacker Devin Lloyd into a touchdown last Sunday, key points in what became a 20-13 Jaguars victory over the Tennessee Titans. It's hard to finish an NFL season with fewer than 10 takeaways. The Jaguars need to avoid accomplishing that Sunday.
- Stay focused. Another recurring Jaguars theme. They have played with impressive fight, pride and professionalism in recent weeks – winning two of four games (both against the Titans) since being eliminated from the postseason and losing in close games in the other two (New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders). That's a tough task in a season this disappointing. That remains the Jaguars' task Sunday.
- Protect the ball … Jaguars backup quarterback Mac Jones has reduced interceptions in recent weeks, throwing none after throwing seven in the previous five games. That has allowed the Jaguars to stay in games and improve offensive efficiency. If Jones throws errant interception, they have little chance against any team.
- …. and be aggressive. The Jaguars' offense hasn't run well enough most of the season to sustain drives, which means it often needs big plays to produce points. This may be about Jones throwing deep to give Thomas a chance to make a play – a formula that has worked well in recent weeks.
- Cover deep. The Colts are more run-centric than pass-centric this season, but the Jaguars have found ways to allow long touchdown passes in key situations this season no matter their opponent's centricity. Blown assignments in the secondary remain the defining characteristic of this lost season.
- Pressure the passer. Jaguars defensive ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen have a combined 17.5 sacks this season, and each has pressured the passer consistently when given the opportunity. Rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith has sacks in consecutive games. The more pressure Smith can provide on the interior, the better for Walker and Hines-Allen.
- Attack. This is the defensive philosophy of first-year defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. Attack. Be aggressive. Nothing cheap, nothing deep. The Jaguars must channel that Sunday against a capable, dangerous offense. Keep it going.
- Just win. There's a lot of buzz about the future around the Jaguars entering this game. That's to expected. Players and coaches have no reason to focus on that on this day. Just win. Worry about what's next later.
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