All is not lost: Jaguars still have one-game lead in AFC South, hold key tiebreakers
The Jacksonville Jaguars lost no ground in the AFC South on Sunday despite losing to the Cleveland Browns because, all in all, it was a pretty rotten day for teams in the division.
The Jaguars had a one-game lead over the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts when the early NFL games began, but despite their 31-27 loss, they left Cleveland with the same one-game lead.
That’s because the Texans lost to the New York Jets in the rain at the Meadowlands 30-6 and the Colts fell to the Bengals in Cincinnati 34-14. Overall, the top three teams in the division lost by combined scores of 95-47.
The last-place Tennessee Titans (4-8) didn't lose Sunday — that's because they play the Miami Dolphins on Monday night.
Browns 31, Jaguars 27: Jacksonville Jaguars can't overcome injuries, mistakes
The Jaguars stayed on top of the division with an 8-5 record while the Texans and Colts are both 7-6. The only real effect losing to the Browns had for the Jaguars, who have lost two in a row and three of five, was to further damage to their chances of getting a top four seed in the AFC playoffs.
Still, the Jaguars had four turnovers and five pre-snap penalties and despite their injuries could have turned the game in their favor at several points in the game.
Trevor Lawrence showed his toughness by playing six days after a high-ankle sprain against Cincinnati on Monday Night Football, but still had a season-high three interceptions.
"Not enough plays made, too many self-inflicted wounds," coach Doug Pederson said.
What does the rest of the season look like?
Before last week’s 34-31 loss to the Bengals, the Jags were 8-3 and owned their own destiny in terms of the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC, but now they’re just trying to figure out how to keep their heads above water in another season where the AFC South looks decidedly mediocre.
So what now?
The Jaguars likely are out of consideration for a top seed in the AFC playoffs and should merely be content to get into the tournament by any means possible. Baltimore (10-3), which comes to Jacksonville for a Sunday night game Dec. 17, is on a fast track to getting the No. 1 seed. The Ravens won in overtime Sunday against the Rams.
But after playing the Ravens, the Jags’ schedule gets less daunting. They finish by going on the road to Tampa Bay (6-7) on Christmas Eve, play host to the NFL’s worst team in Carolina (1-12) on Dec. 31, then go on the road to play Tennessee.
Even if the Jaguars lose to the Ravens but sweep those last three games, they would have an 11-6 record, knocking the Colts and the Texans out of contention, regardless of how they finish.
Jaguars hold key tiebreakers over Colts, Texans
The Jags hold the first tiebreaker over the Colts by sweeping the regular-season series. They split with the Texans but currently hold the next tiebreaker — record within the division. If the Jags beat Tennessee, they will have a 5-1 divisional record and Houston has already lost two AFC South games, with games pending against the Titans (twice) and the Colts once.
The combined record of the Jaguars’ remaining opponents is 21-30 (.412), easier then that of the Colts’ remaining opponents (25-26, .490) and the Texans (23-27, .460).
The Colts had the edge of playing three of four games at home, against Pittsburgh, Las Vegas and Houston, and play at Atlanta. The Texans are at Tennessee, home against Cleveland and Tennessee, then play at Houston.
Texans, Colts also lost ugly
While the Jaguars had their issues with sloppy play, the Texans and Colts didn’t lose pretty by any stretch.
Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud had his worst game as a professional with 10-of-23 passing for a season-low 93 yards, and left the game with a potential concussion. He was sacked four times and the Jets did all of their scoring in the second half after a scoreless first 30 minutes.
The weather didn’t bother New York’s Zach Wilson, who completed 27 of 36 for 301 yards and two touchdowns after regaining his starting spot.
The Colts battled the Bengals to a 14-14 halftime tie, but Cincinnati outscored them 20-0 in the second half. Jake Browning, who tortured the Jaguars defense last week, completed 18 of 24 for 275 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against the Colts.
The Jaguars also have a recent history of making a December run to the playoffs. They were 5-8 with four games to play last season, ran the table, and won the division title with a 9-8 record.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Despite loss to Browns, Jaguars remain on top by a game in AFC South
