Trevor Lawrence powers Jaguars past Colts, one win away from AFC South Title

The Jacksonville Jaguars are one step away from another division crown, and this time, Trevor Lawrence delivered with his legs. Lawrence rushed for two touchdowns, rookie kicker Cam Little drilled three clutch field goals, and Jacksonville held off the Indianapolis Colts for a 23–17 victory on Sunday, pushing the Jaguars to 12–4 and within a single win of their first AFC South title since 2022.

“We are a very confident group,” Lawrence said after the game. “Why not us? We know what we have to do next week. It’s a division game, and everything is right in front of us.”

Jaguars stay hot despite delayed celebration

Jacksonville’s celebration was temporarily paused after Houston’s 20–16 win over the Chargers on Saturday, which kept the Texans alive in the division race and eliminated Indianapolis from playoff contention. Still, the Jaguars continued their surge, winning their seventh straight game and remaining one game clear atop the AFC South standings.

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Under first-year head coach Liam Coen, Jacksonville has transformed into one of the league’s most consistent teams. Coen became the first coach in NFL history to win 12 games after inheriting a team that won just four the previous season.

Lawrence delivers in a different way

After leading the Jaguars back to the playoffs with precision passing earlier this season, Lawrence leaned on his mobility when it mattered most. He scored on a 4-yard quarterback run in the second quarter and added a 6-yard rushing touchdown midway through the third to swing momentum back to Jacksonville.

Lawrence finished 23-of-37 for 263 yards, snapping a four-game streak of elite statistical outings. He also threw his first interception in five weeks, but the quarterback made it clear that personal numbers were secondary.

“When we play well, we can beat anybody,” Lawrence said. “We’ll have our shot to prove it.”

Colts’ collapse continues

Indianapolis dropped to 8–8, officially ending its playoff hopes. The loss marked the Colts’ sixth straight defeat and seventh in their last eight games, completing a stunning collapse after starting the season 7–1.

Veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, who returned from a five-year retirement, went 17-of-30 for 147 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. That interception directly led to Jacksonville’s go-ahead field goal.

“It hurts because of how fast we got to eight wins,” Rivers admitted. “The last stretch has been tough to swallow.”

Key moments that defined the game

The Colts jumped out to a 10–0 lead, capitalizing on strong kickoff returns and a short touchdown run by Jonathan Taylor. Lawrence responded quickly, scoring on the ground before halftime to keep the Jaguars within striking distance.

Indianapolis briefly reclaimed the lead in the third quarter when Rivers found Mo Alie-Cox for a 5-yard touchdown, but that proved to be the Colts’ final offensive highlight.

Cam Little tied the game with a 34-yard field goal, then put Jacksonville ahead with a 42-yarder, before extending the lead late with a 53-yard kick. The Jaguars sealed the win with a late interception on Indianapolis’ final desperation throw.

Stat leaders

• Jaguars: Travis Etienne rushed for 76 yards on 17 carries, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the third time in four seasons. Parker Washington caught eight passes for 115 yards.
• Colts: Jonathan Taylor tied franchise records with 18 rushing touchdowns and 19 total touchdowns, matching his 2021 totals.

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Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. briefly exited with a calf issue, while two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner did not return after aggravating a lingering calf injury.

What’s next

• Jaguars: Can clinch the AFC South title with a win over Tennessee next weekend.
• Colts: Travel to Houston, closing a fifth straight season without a playoff appearance.

Jacksonville has kept its focus narrow all season, but with one game left, the stakes are clear. One more win, and the Jaguars will once again rule the AFC South.

SportsLigue