Jaguar Report

How Jaguars Have Turned Football World Into Believers

The Jacksonville Jaguars have their fair share of fans leading into Week 18's finale against the Tennessee Titans.
Dec 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) celebrates with defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) after an interception during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Dec 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) celebrates with defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) after an interception during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- People are believing in the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Jaguars are giving them no reason to think otherwise.

The Jaguars won their seventh game in a row on Sunday, taking down the Indianapolis Colts in a 23-17 win that saw the first AFC South sweep of the Liam Coen era. And with another win in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, the Jaguars will have a chance to further cement why so many have become believers in Duval.

Jaguars Get Love

CBS Insider Jonathan Jones recently discussed why in the wake of the Jaguars' Week 17 win, there is no longer reasons to doubt them. As he has explained, they have earned that right.

"Look, this is still a good Colts defense led by a great defensive coordinator in Lou Anarumo. And I want to say because maybe we in the national media haven't given the Jaguars enough love as they have gone on this run," Jones said.

"After last week's win, I was like, okay, I believe in the Jacksonville Jaguars now. I believe they can go out there once they beat the Denver Broncos, it's like, yeah, okay, I've seen it now, maybe not against the Colts, and maybe not against some of the other teams that they faced and beat handily, but last week, did it for me."

The Jaguars did not simply see the Colts roll over on Sunday despite already being eliminated from the playoffs. But despite the Colts' best efforts, the Jaguars won the battle on paper and on the field despite two red-zone turnovers nearly thwarting their chances.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) is forced out of bounds by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"I will allow Trevor Lawrence to have a mistake. I'm okay with that. I'm also okay with him doing it when Tuten is out for this game. So they're down a running back. Let's not forget they're also winning these games where they're down the number two pick in Travis Hunter," Jones said.

"And yeah, it wasn't necessarily working out, but things might have caught flames just a little bit, right? So they're down a guy that should be contributing in the pass game, and they were down a running back, and Trevor Lawrence is getting it done with his legs."

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Dec 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) reacts after a touchdown during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

"The thing that stood out to me, while Trevor Lawrence didn't have an amazing stat line, 7-of-14, the Jaguars were on third down, so they just kept extending the drives, and that will wear out a good defense, that they just couldn't get off the field," Jones said.

"So credit to the Jaguars. I believed in them after last week, I will allow Trevor Lawrence to have a mistake against a good defense."

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Dec 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) drops back to hand the ball to Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images | Mykal McEldowney-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

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John Shipley
JOHN SHIPLEY

John Shipley has been covering the Jacksonville Jaguars as a beat reporter and publisher of Jaguar Report since 2019. Previously, he covered UCF's undefeated season as a beat reporter for NSM.Today, covered high school prep sports in Central Florida, and covered local sports and news for the Palatka Daily News. Follow John Shipley on Twitter at @_john_shipley.

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