The Day After Jaguars Week 12 Win Over Texans: Staying 'Locked in and Present'

Nov 27, 2023 at 03:26 PM

John Oehser

Jaguars Senior Writer

JACKSONVILLE – The games get bigger by the week.

That has been fine for the Jaguars in recent weeks, because the preparation and focus has matched the results.

The Jaguars on Sunday beat the Houston Texans, 24-21, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Head Coach Doug Pederson a day after that victory spoke of the team's ability to prepare and perform in a game that pushed their AFC South lead to two games with six regular-season games remaining.

"They stay in the present," Pederson said Monday. "They just focus on the task at hand and that's just getting better each week."

The Jaguars (8-3), who on Sunday won their franchise-record eighth consecutive road game, lead the Texans (6-5) and Indianapolis Colts (6-5) in the AFC South by two games. They have a season-ending tiebreaker advantage over the Texans because of a better division record and over the Colts because of a head-to-head season sweep.

The Jaguars have won two consecutive games and have won seven of eight games since a 37-17 Week 3 loss to the Texans at EverBank Stadium. They have trailed just twice in those seven victories for less than a total quarter.

"It's fun, obviously, when you're winning because you want to continue to play more games and continue to win and have success," Pederson said. "The minute you let up and look into the future a little bit is when you get beat. So, it's my job to make sure that the guys stay locked in and present."

The Jaguars enter December tied for the fewest losses in the AFC with the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens (9-3), the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs (8-3) and the AFC East-leading Miami Dolphins (8-3). They play the Ravens at home December 17.

The Jaguars play host the Cincinnati Bengals Monday in their first Monday Night Football appearance since playing host to two Monday Night games in 2011.

"The better we play as a football team, it's really easier for me to keep the guys focused and keep their attention to detail," Pederson said. "This time of year, too, there's a lot of speculation and talk about playoff picture and seeding and all that kind of stuff. That generates a little interest there.

"Even though we don't look past the week we're in, you can't help yourself but listen to the outside noise and the media talk about that. But for us, and this is what I appreciate about our guys, they stay in the moment."

NOTABLE

Pederson on Monday discussed his decision to go for a touchdown on first-and-goal from the 1-yard line on the final play of the first half Sunday. The Texans stopped a run by Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. for no gain on the play and the Jaguars led, 13-7, at halftime. Pederson on Monday said he went for the touchdown because the Jaguars were getting the ball first in the second half. "I trust our players and I think the players trust me to make these decisions and put them in successful situations," he said. "We had the ball to start the third quarter. Had we not, I'm taking three points there. Let's not mistake ourselves in saying, 'Oh, he went out on a limb and he's being overly aggressive or whatever.' There was a logical reason for making that decision. The decision was we were getting the football. I wanted to go up 20-7 with a chance to go up even more at the beginning of the third quarter. Those all factor into making those decisions. If the defense were to start the third quarter, it's a no-brainer. One second left. Just kick the field goal, get the three points, and now you're up 16-7 going into the locker room. Then it's a different deal, but I'm going to continue to trust our players and put them in those situations. They know that I'm going to continue to do it."

NOTABLE

Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson was placed on injured reserve Monday after injuring his left knee Sunday. Left guard Walker Little, who started the first four games of the season at left tackle with Robinson serving a suspension, played left tackle in Robinson's place with veteran Ezra Cleveland playing left guard in place of Little. "He's obviously a big part of that offensive line," Pederson said of Robinson. "He does bring a lot of energy and a level of physicality to the offensive line and he has been a really big bright spot there. If Cam can't go, it's a loss, but at the same time we feel comfortable with the guys stepping up."