JACKSONVILLE – The circumstances are strikingly tough.

The objective remains strikingly easy.

"You're trying to win the game, bottom line," Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson said.

Pederson, speaking Wednesday morning as the Jaguars prepared for the final game in a disappointing regular season, said the way to do that won't change despite long since having been eliminated from the postseason.

"The key is to make sure that everybody stays locked in and focused on the task at hand," Pederson said. "You want your team to prepare this week for that."

The Jaguars (4-12) will play the Indianapolis Colts (7-9) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., Sunday, with both teams out of postseason contention.

"You definitely want to put your best foot forward and control what you can control," Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones said. "For me, just keep it simple this week. A lot of distractions, a lot of this and that. But the challenge for everybody and for me is to focus on doing my part and then from there, it should take care of itself."

Said cornerback Jarrian Jones, "I just want to finish the year strong."

Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen said the Jaguars are speaking on a week-by-week basis as season's end approaches.

"I'm in a good mood right now," said Hines-Allen, who had one of the Jaguars' three sacks in a 20-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Stadium this past Sunday. "We're looking to finish this on a positive note. We're not playing for a playoff game, so there's frustration there. But we want to make it 2-0 [in the final two weeks]. If we can do that going into next season, it's a good starting point."

A victory Sunday would give the Jaguars their first winning streak since late 2023 when they beat the Titans at home and the Houston Texans on the road in Weeks 11 and 12. A victory also would give them a season sweep of the Colts, and clinch a winning record in the AFC South for a third consecutive season.

"It just leaves that good taste, that feeling of winning, especially now where we start a new year," Pederson said. "It just gives you a little momentum, gives you the hope that you want and that you need, and then you work on what you need to fix."

The Jaguars, after back-to-back 9-8 seasons in which they won the 2022 AFC South title and were eliminated from the postseason in the 2023 regular-season finale, this season were eliminated from the playoffs in early December. They essentially will finish the season with five consecutive games between teams with no chance to make the playoffs.

The Jaguars during that stretch have increased playing time for young players such as defensive tackle Maason Smith, though Pederson said winning remains the priority.

"I don't necessarily use it as developmental for anybody," Pederson said. "I think if a player's healthy and can play, play, but if there's somebody that's dressing that is a younger player, you might want to get them in and see what you can do."

While rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., rookie kicker Cam Little and Jarrian Jones have been season-long contributors, other Jaguars rookies have played increased roles in the last month.

Smith has started the last four games, registering two sacks. Rookie defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson also was active last week, tipping a pass that led to a first-half interception by linebacker Devin Lloyd. This past Sunday marked the first time since Week 6 the rookie tackle duo had been active.

Rookie running back Keilan Robinson also has been active the last five games, and rookie cornerback De'Antre Prince has been active in the last five games while playing in one.

"I would say the one who probably hasn't played as much is Tre Prince," Pederson said, "but the other ones all have seen time and continued to improve. That's what you want. That's what you ask of them.

"It's how they prepare during the week. That's all part of the process for young players."

NOTABLE

• Jaguars left tackle Walker Little, who missed this past Sunday's game with an ankle injury, did not practice Wednesday. Pederson said last week Little likely is out for the season. Four Jaguars players practiced limited Wednesday:
  • Left guard Ezra Cleveland (knee)
  • Linebacker Ventrell Miller (ankle)
  • Safety Darnell Savage (concussion)
  • Right guard Brandon Scherff (knee/shoulder)