Daniel Jones hurt in Jaguars' 11th consecutive home win against the Colts, 36-19

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars are still reeling from the biggest collapse in franchise history.

A month after that fourth-quarter debacle in Houston, the loss continues to "haunt" players and coaches. And they keep using it as motivation.

Trevor Lawrence threw two touchdown passes, Travis Etienne ran for two scores and the Jaguars moved atop the AFC South with a 36-19 victory against rival Indianapolis in steady rain Sunday.

The Jaguars (9-4) won their fourth consecutive game and extended the Colts’ misery in Jacksonville. Indianapolis (8-5) haven't won at EverBank Stadium since 2014, an 11-game skid that includes a matchup in London.

“At the end of the day, I feel like no one likes us except for us,” Etienne said. "It just goes along with being in this organization and the way this organization has been for some time now. We're not going to get their respect; we kind of don't even care.

“As long as we know what we have inside this locker room, we can go out there and take it. There's no better feeling than being disrespected and having an extra chip on your shoulder and having an extra edge.”

The Jaguars might not get much attention for this win, either, not with the Colts losing quarterback Daniel Jones and maybe their last legitimate hope of making the playoffs.

Already playing with a broken left leg, Jones injured his right Achilles tendon in the second quarter and could be out for the season. The injury often includes a nine-month rehab, meaning Jones could be one-and-done in Indy and the Colts could be looking for a starting quarterback in March.

“It's not looking good," coach Shane Steichen said. “Anytime you lose a guy that puts in so much work and so much effort, and is always there for his team, and showing up with a fibula injury, and goes out there and freaking plays, just so much respect for him. Just so much respect.”

Jones dropped to the ground after throwing incomplete and immediately grabbed the back of his right leg. He slammed his helmet to the ground several times before team trainers arrived. He eventually limped off the field and into the locker room for tests. The Colts quickly ruled him out.

Jacksonville led 14-7 at that point, and the Colts never threatened with backup Riley Leonard in the game. The only other quarterback on Indy's roster is Brett Rypien, who is on the practice squad.

Indy lost its third in a row and fourth in five games, a late-season slump that allowed Jacksonville and potentially Houston to move ahead in the division. Now, with Jones hurt and a daunting schedule down the stretch, it’s fair to wonder whether the Colts win again.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, keep winning and gaining confidence.

Lawrence completed 17 of 30 passes for 244 yards, with no turnovers. He connected with Jakobi Meyers and Tim Patrick for TDs.

Three of Lawrence’s completions gained at least 30 yards. Brian Thomas Jr. had his best game in nearly two months, finishing with three receptions for 87 yards. Etienne ran 20 times for 74 yards, scoring on runs of 3 and 28 yards.

Josh Hines-Allen had a sack for the fourth consecutive game, this one resulting in a safety.

Indy’s Jonathan Taylor gained 74 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries against the NFL’s stingiest run defense. Leonard completed 18 of 29 passes for 145 yards and an interception. He ran for a score late.

Soaked after three hours in the rain, the Jaguars briefly celebrated on the field before heading into the locker room. No one expects to be vaulted into the conversation of Super Bowl contenders.

“It ain't coming. You know that. It's not,” Jaguars coach Liam Coen said. “And that's the beauty of it, and that's totally fine. Houston was good for us, I do believe that.”

Colts: RT Braden Smith (concussion) and CB Chris Lammons (foot) were ruled out. WR Anthony Gould (foot) and DE JT Tuimoloau (concussion) left the game.

Jaguars: RB Bhayshul Tuten was evaluated for a concussion and cleared. He fumbled shortly after his return and played little after.

Colts play at Seattle next Sunday.

Jaguars host the New York Jets next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) sacks Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) in the end zone for a safety during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is hit by Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) as he throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (3) makes a catch over Indianapolis Colts cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) grabs his leg after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) celebrates after getting a safety against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

ATLANTA (AP) — With the game tied after a lackluster first half, Mike Macdonald knew his team needed a spark.

The Seattle coach called on newcomer Rashid Shaheed to provide it.

Shaheed returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and the Seahawks never looked back, beating the hapless Atlanta Falcons 37-9 on Sunday.

“Coach Mike, he called it,” safety Nick Emmanwori said, breaking into a big grin. “Right before we went back out from halftime, he literally called it out. He was like, 'Sheed, go take one back to the house.'”

Shaheed was acquired a month ago from the New Orleans Saints for a pair of draft picks, leaving one of the league's worst teams for one of its best.

He's starting to get accustomed to his new surroundings, also making four catches for 67 yards as he develops a connection with quarterback Sam Darnold.

“I've not been able to play for a playoff team yet,” Shaheed said. “This feels different. This feels like everyone has bought in.”

The Seahawks (10-3) broke away from a 6-6 tie at halftime with a 31-point beatdown of the Falcons over the final two quarters.

Seattle's defense came up with three turnovers as the Seahawks won for the seventh time in eight games. Darnold threw for 249 yards and three touchdowns, with a pair of scores to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and another to Cooper Kupp.

As for the Falcons, this all feels very familiar.

With its seventh loss in eight games, Atlanta (4-9) sealed an eighth straight losing campaign — matching the worst stretch in franchise history — and was officially eliminated from playoff contention with a month to go in the regular season.

Atlanta hasn't made the postseason since 2017, a year after its infamous Super Bowl meltdown to Tom Brady and the Patriots.

“The kickoff return was a backbreaker,” said embattled coach Raheem Morris, whose future is sure to remain a major topic in the A-T-L.

Shaheed's TD marked the second week in a row that Atlanta has given up a huge kickoff return. He was barely touched on his way to the longest touchdown of the NFL season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. It was the longest return for the Seahawks since Tyler Lockett's 105-yarder against Chicago in 2015.

That wasn’t the only miscue on another awful day for Atlanta's special teams. Zane Gonzalez’s 50-yard field goal attempt was swatted away by Emmanwori, who streaked in off the edge without being blocked.

“We’ve got to go figure it out," Morris said. "We’ve got to put more people out there. We’ve got to change it up.”

The Seattle defense forced a fumble by Bijan Robinson when the Falcons were driving for a potential tying touchdown in the third quarter. DeMarcus Lawrence knocked the ball away and Devon Witherspoon scooped it up at the Seahawks 12.

On Atlanta's next possession, Kirk Cousins' pass for Kyle Pitts was deflected and picked off by Emmanwori, his first career pick. Witherspoon also had an interception on a wacky play when the ball ricocheted high in the air on a short throw by Cousins.

The Seahawks were bolstered on the defensive side by the return of safety Julian Love and tackle Jarran Reed from injured reserve, making the first time all season that unit was at full strength.

The Seahawks have one of the league's top defensive units, and they're not shying away from expectations.

Coming off a shutout of the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle held the Falcons to three field goals. Even in the closing minutes, with the outcome no longer in doubt, the defense took pride in stopping Atlanta near the goal line on fourth down.

“This defense is super special,” Emmanwori said. “We've got a lot of special dudes on this team, from the first level on the D-line to the linebackers to the secondary. I think this defense can be historic almost.”

The Falcons appeared to score the game’s first touchdown late in the first half when Darnell Mooney hauled in a 26-yard pass from Cousins down the left sideline.

But the Atlanta receiver stepped out of bounds just short of the end zone, and officials ruled that he did not re-establish himself on the field before making the catch. The Falcons were forced to settle for Gonzalez’s 43-yard field goal and a 6-3 lead with 1:01 left in the half.

That left enough time for Seattle to tie up before halftime. Darnold scrambled for a 12-yard gain and connected with Shaheed on a 16-yard pass, setting up Jason Myers’ 48-yard field goal on the final play of the half.

Seahawks: TE Elijah Arroyo and NT Brandon Pili both went down in the first half with knee issues. Macdonald said Pili should be OK, but Arroyo's injury could be more serious and will require further evaluation.

Falcons: WR Drake London (knee) missed his third straight game with a knee injury and was joined on the inactive list by DL Brandon Dorlus (groin). Edge Jalon Walker (quad) was injured in the first half.

Seahawks: Return home to face the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday.

Falcons: A short week before they travel to Tampa Bay on Thursday night to face their NFC South rival Buccaneers.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp, center, celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, left, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks down on the sideline as his team trails against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp, second from left, celebrates his touchdown with teammates Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and Nick Kallerup (89) against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) runs the ball against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) looks back as he runs for a touchdown on a kickoff return against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)