INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Jaguars did what they had to do Sunday.

They won a late-December division game on the road, rallying from a double-digit first-half deficit and scrapping their way to a 23-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium to move to within a victory of their third AFC South title in nine seasons.

They didn't play perfectly. They needed a clutch play or two defensively late, and they also needed two clutch fourth-quarter field goals from kicker Cam Little.

Forget perfection. This team has won seven consecutive games and is now 12-4 – their best record through 16 games since 2005. With one more victory – at home against the 3-13 Tennessee Titans next Saturday or Sunday – they will win the division.

This is fun. This is also nail-biting. This is contending.

Let's get to it …

Paul from St. Augustine, FL

Good, gritty win. No style points in the NFL.

Good eye. The Jaguars won a seventh consecutive game Sunday, but just as notable, they beat a division rival for a second time in four weeks. And while the Colts have lost six consecutive games, remember: They played very well in the last two weeks in close losses to very good teams - the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. It's not a shock the Jaguars didn't blow the Colts out. It also doesn't matter that they didn't blow them out. They won. Period.

Bobby From Section 408 and Summerville

Hi, John. I don't know what is worse: Watching the Jags play bad or having to listen to the stupid FOX commentators only talk about Philip Rivers and his family and his high school football team. Who cares? Fox should lose their NFL contract. They are horrible.

Colts quarterback Philip Rivers' comeback after five seasons retirement is a cool, cute story. Commentators like cool, cute stories. I don't expect FOX to lose its NFL contract over this "transgression." The network paid the NFL a lot of money and the NFL likes a lot of money.

Anita from Springfield

Buster Brown, player of the game. Holy cow!!! (Sent at four passes defensed)

Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown played well Sunday. He made a bunch of plays on the ball. He has done that a lot this season.

Mike from Ponte Vedra, FL

Not ready to play. Getting dominated early by a team that's lost five straight. Same old Jags.

Tell me you love Southeastern Conference football without actually saying you love Southeastern Conference football.

Alex from Detroit formerly Vilano Beach

Wide receiver Parker Washington treats every other reception like a punt return, shifting directions and going backwards and forwards. What do you think of his style of playing? He's been with the team for a while, but I don't remember him getting a lot of opportunities last year. Did the coaching staff miss his talents or has he evolved into something far more dangerous to get to his current playmaking status?

Washington, a third-year veteran, has improved steadily in each of his three NFL seasons. He has steadily earned more opportunities – and it's a credit to the people now running the Jaguars that players such as Washington receive opportunities when they earn them. As for Washington's style … he's as effective as any player on this offense right now. He's making clutch catches and is a threat to break a big gain on most plays when he touches the ball. What's not to like?

Constanza from The Bronx

George is getting upset.

This was the much-ballyhooed, oft-misguided, seldom-all-that-amusing First Email of the Game. It came with the Jaguars struggling during a first quarter that ended with the Colts leading, 3-0. Professional football is hard. Players who get paid to play are good. Games are longer than a quarter.

James from Palm Coast, FL

RESILIENT.

INDEED.

Cliff from Everywhere with helicopter

That may be the most egregiously missed replay review in league history.

You're referencing an 18-yard reception by Colts wide receiver Josh Downs from p Rivers in the third quarter Sunday – a reception on the sidelines upheld by review. I don't know where it ranks in NFL history. It was a tough call from the Jaguars' perspective.

Josh from Atlanta

Someone great always says, It's a week-to-week league.

That it is, Edward. That it is.

Peter from Barnegat, NJ

When you're driving the ball nicely down field and in scoring range, why would you decide to get "cute" with the play calling and do a trick play just so it can go wrong? Not a fan of these kind of plays when you didn't need to.

You're referencing a fumble on the Jaguars' first drive Sunday that came when wide receiver Jakobi Meyers tried to pitch back to running back Travis Etienne Jr. It was a designed play that didn't work. I'm sure a lot of fans didn't love the result. I expect a lot of those fans didn't mind the Jaguars scoring at least 25 points in each of the eight games leading into Sunday.

Jeff from Atlantic Beach, FL

Sigh ... same old J – Just kidding! These are the types of games that good teams find a way to win. 12-4!

Jeff's got jokes. Good for Jeff.