Jaguars have chance at 4-2 AFC South record after sweeping Titans

By Hays Carlyon

They are still fighting.

The Jaguars season has been lost for several weeks, but the team is still battling. Led by rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr., the Jaguars earned their fourth win of the season on Sunday defeating the visiting Tennessee Titans 20-13 at EverBank Stadium.

Thomas had seven catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. He continues his torrid play, moving to 80 catches for 1,179 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

Improving to a measly 4-12 doesn’t change anything. Changes should still be coming.

Still, coach Doug Pederson and company can achieve a cool mark by winning the finale next week at Indianapolis. They can still finish 4-2 in the AFC South. A third-place finish is already assured in the division, but there is something to be said for a 4-2 finish.

The franchise has never finished 6-0 or 5-1 in the division.

The 2017 team that reached the AFC Championship Game was 4-2 in the division. Pederson’s first two Jaguars teams both went 4-2 in the AFC South.

That highlights why the Jaguars would likely have the most attractive job opening if (when) Jaguars owner Shad Khan fires Pederson.

The AFC South is atrocious.

Houston has clinched at 9-7 but has a minus-9 point differential.

The Colts are 7-9 with a minus-53 point differential.

The Titans are now 3-13 with a minus-140.

A win on Sunday in Indianapolis would signal something I believe.

The Jaguars are not that far way from contention if Khan makes the right hire.

The Jaguars have a professional locker room. They haven’t quit.

They’re a win away from a quality 4-2 division mark, meaning they can absolutely win it next season.

Those should be two important cogs in any prospective coaches (Ben Johnson) decision making when weighing options.

Give the Jaguars credit for at least playing with pride and beating a lowly Tennessee team for a second time.

(You can email Hays at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter/X @HaysCarlyon)