JACKSONVILLE – The time is now, and a big regular-season moment is at hand.

The Jaguars on Sunday did what they needed to do. Now, they get to do what they have worked to do throughout the first three months of the 2025 regular season.

They get to play big, late-season games that matter.

"We know where our goals are, and we are trying to solidify those," DaVon Hamilton said.

Hamilton, the Jaguars' veteran defensive tackle, spoke to the media Monday – a day after a 25-3 road victory over the Tennessee Titans set up a huge game Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts with sole possession of first place in the AFC South at stake.

"It's awesome," Jaguars offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen said. "At the end of the day, you do this for that."

The Jaguars (8-4), winners of three consecutive games, moved into a first-place tie with the Colts (8-4) in the AFC South Sunday. The Colts on Sunday lost to the 7-5 Houston Texans, 20-16, in Indianapolis.

The Jaguars lead the division because of a better record than the Colts in common games (6-2 for the Jaguars, 5-3 for the Colts), with the first of the teams' two 2025 meetings scheduled at EverBank Stadium Sunday.

"This is something we've been working towards," Hamilton said. "We said we're going to do this at the beginning of the season and that's what we're doing. This is a confidence boost for our team to be able to play these types of games and we know where we want to head."

The Jaguars, after 4-1 start, lost two consecutive games before winning four of the last five. They have won their last three with a strong defense, holding the Los Angeles Chargers to 135 total yards in a 35-6 Week 11 victory and holding Tennessee to 188 total yards Sunday.

The three-game winning streak that has the Jaguars seeded third in the AFC behind the AFC East-leading New England Patriots (10-2) and AFC West-leading Denver Broncos (10-2) came in the wake of a 36-29 loss to the Texans – a game the Jaguars led by 19 points early in the fourth quarter.

"There are a lot of guys that have been here, maybe on the team in prior years, that are attempting to change the narrative and show that, 'Hey, man, we do have talent and it's about how you respond through adversity, how you continue to show up to work every day and get off the mat after tough losses and come back ready to play,'" Head Coach Liam Coen said.

"It's pretty cool to see. It's trying to go 1-0 every week and see what happens. The collaboration between players and coaches being on the same page about where we're trying to go and what our goals are I think has maybe led to some of the connection and belief that we've had throughout some tough times."

The Jaguars currently rank No. 1 in the NFL against the run, with the Colts – losers of two consecutive games and three of the last four – sixth in the NFL in rushing. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor leads the NFL with 1,282 yards and 15 touchdowns rushing.

"They're a very good team this year," Hamilton said. "We are a very good team this year. I think it's just going to come down to us playing confident, playing the way we know how to play and finishing the game."

Said Van Lanen, "You're getting towards the back end of the year where games do matter and ultimately you play this to win a Super Bowl. As a player, it's exciting to play games and they really do mean that much more.

"It's just very exciting and it's exciting to do it with this group."

NOTABLE

• Sunday was a cool experience for Hamilton, one he would prefer not to experience again. The veteran defensive tackle played long snapper for a quarter and a half with long snapper Ross Matiscik out with a back injury, snapping five times – for 3 punts, an extra point and a field goal. "It's pretty cool seeing a different side of football," Hamilton said, adding that the last time he snapped in a game was while playing for Pickerington (Ohio) High School Central. "It was interesting," he said with a laugh. "I've never ran down on a punt before in the NFL. I have a newfound respect for Ross, for sure. I hope he doesn't get hurt ever again." Hamilton said he had not practiced snapping since training camp. "It's been a little minute," he said. "I definitely will get a few snaps in throughout the week – just for myself, if anything."