With Jacksonville's win on Sunday and the Indianapolis loss to Houston, both teams are tied for first in the AFC South heading into next week's game in Duval. The two teams will be fighting for control of the AFC South. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is looking forward to the contest.
The Indianapolis Colts have lost three of their last four including their Sunday game against the surging Houston Texans, 20-16, while the Jacksonville Jaguars took care of their business against Tennessee.
Many thought the Colts were going to run away with the division after a fast start. However, they have come back down to Earth with both the Texans and the Jaguars breathing down their necks. It will not be easy, but the Jaguars have seemingly found their footing just in time to face the slumping Colts.
The Colts' offense has struggled the past few weeks, and the Texans held them to their lowest offensive output of the season at 20 points.
It’s crucial that the Jaguars are able to keep pace. A win next Sunday would do just that. Right now, the Jaguars and Colts are tied at the top of the AFC South with a similar 8-4 record. The Jags shut down the lonely Tennessee Titans, 25-3 Sunday afternoon at Nissan Stadium in Nashville,.
"I think it's just we've taken it week by week and it hasn't always gone perfect, but we've just kept playing and found a way to respond every week," Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. "We have had some big wins and some tough losses. You just keep playing."
The game against the Colts next Sunday will determine who controls the division and their own destiny as it relates to the top seed out of the AFC South.
"We need our fans to pack the place out and be loud for us and get a home-field advantage, but playing a really good Colts' team. It's an exciting one," Lawrence said. "Obviously, a lot on the line and that's how every game is going to be moving forward though. That's where we want to be. So, that's the position we want to be in and it feels good."
Lawrence has played in some big games at Clemson and with the Jaguars. He knows what a true home-field advantage does for the players.
"We've talked about, throughout the years, obviously our playoff run back in 2022 and just the feeling of the city and the home games, the stadium," Lawrence said, "It is different. And that is what, as players, we love that. It's exciting to feel the city behind you. We have great fans."
The Jaguars will face the Colts twice before the season ends. If they can hold serve and defeat them, along with the Titans again and the AFC West leaders, the Denver Broncos, they may be the top seed in the AFC going into the playoffs.