JACKSONVILLE – This was a good feeling, even if only for a day.
The Jaguars on Sunday beat the Tennessee Titans, 20-13, at EverBank Stadium – securing a season sweep over their AFC South rivals in the 2024 regular-season home finale.
The loss does nothing to make a forgettable season memorable. The Jaguars are 4-12 and Sunday's victory was over a 3-13 team that is one of the few teams in the NFL worse than the Jaguars. There is still much to do in the offseason and Owner Shad Khan still must make important decisions following next Sunday's regular-season finale against the Colts in Indianapolis.
But on this rainy late-December day, the Jaguars had fun. They smiled afterward. They remembered what it was like to win. So did the fans, so that indeed was a good feeling. Even if only for a day.
Let's get to it …
Wade from Westside
I may be wrong, but I think that Brian Thomas may have a future in football.
You're not wrong. At all. Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. remains by far the brightest spot in a dismal Jaguars season. He's special and getting better by the week. My experience is that wide receivers don't come close to reaching their full potential in their first season. I would be surprised at this point if he's not an All-Pro, elite receiver really soon.
Tom from the Mean Streets of Nocatee
Thank God, we only have to watch this abomination two more times. Beat Tennessee.
This was the much-ballyhooed, often-strange, rarely-unforgettable First Email of the Game. Fans don't have to watch, but Jaguars fans at the time of the email had the opportunity to watch two more games in the 2024 regular season. As of the publishing of this O-Zone Late Night, that number is down to one.
Bradford from Orange Park, FL
OH! Now that's TEAL. I love it. Maybe that's been part of the litany of problems. We've been "rocking" … don't get me started.
You seem to think the Jaguars weren't wearing teal at some point earlier this season. And that whether they were or not affected their play. OK, I guess.
Steve from Sunroom Couch
Dear John, When the Titans scored on their first drive of the second half I said, "Yeah here we go again."
Goody for you, I guess …
Zac from Austin, TX
I was like "if they get a touchdown right here, it's because two guys ran on late and everyone looks confused about responsibility" and boom it happened
… and for you.
Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ
A special player is one that consistently makes most plays and often makes plays above the Xs and Os. BTJ is the only special player on this roster. That's really good for BTJ. That's not good for the franchise, especially when you're starting quarterback is going into Year 5 having shown he's OK but not special.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence indeed hasn't shown he is special yet. There's no doubt about that and I don't recall anyone around the Jaguars saying much to the contrary. There are about four quarterbacks in the NFL from this view who are special and Lawrence isn't yet one. He's still ascending. He still has a chance. Stay tuned.
James from Titusville, NJ
There will be math, but the formula is super simple. Winning > Losing. Class dismissed.
When you slice through the clutter and chatter that now inundates our sports landscape – clutter and chatter created by endless talking heads and Twitter threads featuring "thoughts" masquerading as insight – this is the ultimate truth. Players and coaches play to win games. Fans watch games to watch their teams try to win. That usually trumps all else.
Big Jags Fan from Jacksonville
A much-needed win by the Jags! Complementary football displayed by the offense, defense and special teams. Forget the lower draft pick; sweeping the Titans is sweet!
Winning is cool. Fans like it. They even like it at 4-12 and they particularly like it when it means sweeping a hated rival. Football was fun at the 'Bank Sunday. At last.
Art from Glassboro NJ
It's always good to beat the Titans, but big picture, winning hurt them more. Winning three games versus four isn't a big difference. Glad the players feel good, hopefully some of them make the team next year.
Many, many, many of these Jaguars players will be on the roster next season. NFL players and coaches don't play to lose. The thoughts and feelings of fans, media and other observers do not change this.
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, the sweep is nice. Winning is good.
Sweeping is cool. Fans like it.
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