INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars’ 23-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in a 2025 Week 17 game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Anyway, anyhow. The Jaguars won narrowly Sunday, but make no mistake: If this wasn't the sort of one-sided victory they made seem routine while taking control of the AFC South in recent weeks, it was a very important – and in a very real sense, very impressive – victory. "When you've got dubs (victories) man, the fun is in the winning," Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. said. "We can't take any of these for granted." The Jaguars on Sunday had to grind, scrap and claw their way past an opponent that played well – and they also had to overcome their own mistakes. These sorts of games happen in the NFL. They particularly happen late in the season on the road when playing division opponents for a second time in four weeks. The fact that the Jaguars didn't win by 14 or more points, which they had done for a franchise-record four consecutive games entering Sunday, mattered not a whit. What mattered is they overcame a 10-point first-half deficit and stayed at least within a score during a back-and-forth third quarter. They then held the lead or stayed tied through a tense fourth quarter and controlled enough of the game to win. This game could have slipped away, which likely would have cost the Jaguars the division. That they managed to win and give themselves a chance to clinch the division in Week 18 is yet another good sign for this team that just keeps showing those signs as the postseason approaches.
2. Credit the defense. This wasn't the most impressive victory of the Jaguars' season, but it was a solid – and impressive – day for the defense. "Our guys did a great job digging in," Head Coach Liam Coen said, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence adding, "Our defense really stepped up and made some huge stops." While the Colts' downfield passing game was expectedly limited with 44-year old Philip Rivers at quarterback, the Jaguars' defense did its job in limiting a strong Colts running game and held All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor under 75 yards rushing for a second time in four games. Taylor, who rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in the Jaguars' 36-19 victory in Jacksonville in Week 14, rushed for 70 yards and no touchdowns on 21 carries – a 3.3-yard-per-carry average – Sunday. The Jaguars' defense also created two fourth-quarter takeaways – an interception by cornerback Jarrian Jones that set up kicker Cam Little's go-ahead 34-yard field goal with 6:58 remaining and safety Antonio Johnson's end-zone interception on the game's final play. The defense allowed just 204 yards total offense. With the offense committing red-zone turnovers and unable to match its recent productivity, the Jaguars needed a top effort from the defense. Because they got it, they can clinch the South with a home victory over the Tennessee Titans next weekend.

Brian Sexton, Senior Correspondent…

1. The Jaguars found a way and can clinch the AFC South title next week. The Colts showed up to play and we all knew they could. Rivers might be a statue, but he can take advantage of a defense with his mind – and the threat of Taylor can keep a defense honest long enough for Rivers to make it pay. The Jaguars' offense moved the ball up and down the field Sunday, but couldn't put the ball into the end zone thanks to two red-zone turnovers. Lawrence made up for it with a pair of rushing touchdowns and a beautiful throw to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers on the final drive to set up a critical fourth-down conversion after the two-minute warning. The defense did its job; the Colts took advantage of two 50-yard kickoff returns for 10 points but never could find a rhythm behind Rivers and Taylor. Good teams find ways to win when things aren't going as well as they would like, and that certainly defined Sunday's game.
2. The Jaguars didn't play complementary football Sunday. The best example came in the third quarter, when the offense gave the Jaguars a 14-10 lead and special teams allowed a 54-yard kickoff return to the Jaguars 39-yard line. The defense then gave up a big play on third down and a pass interference at the 5-yard line set up the Colts' go-ahead score. In the Jaguars' six games leading to Sunday, all victories, at least two of three phases were able to hold up when the other wasn't in sync. That didn't happen Sunday, and breakdowns across the board made it a much closer game than the statistics would indicate.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer...

1. A wake-up call in Week 17. The Jaguars clinched a playoff spot Monday, but the AFC South title again won't be decided until the regular-season finale. The Jags control their destiny, but that doesn't mean the pressure has eased. Taking on an Indianapolis team Sunday that was already eliminated from playoff contention was no easy task for the Jags. A slow start coupled with penalties and other miscues made things closer than necessary between the two divisional foes. Once again, the Jags found a way to walk away with a win after not playing their best game, a learning lesson that will hopefully serve this team well before the postseason begins.
2. Penn Staters are top priority. Now that the Jaguars have locked up wide receiver Jakobi Meyers to a long-term deal, the focus should shift to the Penn State players on the roster. Tight end Brenton Strange and wide receiver Parker Washington have become the steady and reliable targets that make this offense run. Strange plays a huge role in the run game and is the perfectly oversized target for Lawrence on third and long. Washington has become the most trusted target for Lawrence and the player coming up with big-time catches at the most crucial of moments. Both players will be entering the final year of their rookie contracts in 2026 and have made themselves indispensable parts of this team.