Jaguars show warrior mentality in latest win that has them poised for AFC playoffs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville’s best win of its surprising season transpired at Indianapolis.

Not only did the Jaguars play without three starters, including two offensive linemen, they had a handful of players dealing with illness. They fell behind 10-0 in their second consecutive road game — they were coming off a huge victory at Denver — and were dealt the kind of early game adversity that would have caused recent iterations of this franchise to crumble.

The Jaguars rallied to win 23-17, their seventh consecutive victory, and showed just how ready they are for anything that comes their way in the postseason.

“That’s the warrior mentality we’ve been talking about for quite some time,” coach Liam Coen said Monday. “Getting the job done regardless. That’s what I’m proud of. No excuses. No flinch. No blink. Just keep competing. … I thought it was a gritty win for our guys.”

Jacksonville (12-4) can clinch the AFC South title for the third time in nine years with a victory against Tennessee (3-13) on Sunday. Although still in the hunt for the top seed in the conference, the Jaguars more likely will be trying to secure the No. 3 seed and a home playoff game in the wild-card round.

To earn the No. 1 spot and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, they would need to win and have Denver and New England both lose at home to the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami, respectively. The Broncos and Patriots are touchdown-plus favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

“Having a home game, especially having a home playoff game, obviously we love that,” defensive end Travon Walker said. “We really need that. As far as the atmosphere, there’s nothing like once you get into the playoffs, a home game and the crowd’s just electrifying.”

It’s within reach for a franchise that finished 4-13 a year ago and had dropped 18 of its last 23 games before Coen arrived last January.

“It’s been lots of glimpses,” receiver Parker Washington said. “It’s just been cool to have this staff push us to be better and it’s just cool to see where we’re at now. … We’ve come a long way and we’re just going to keep building on that.”

The Jaguars were 7 of 14 on third down against Indy, raising their total to 26 of 53 (49%) in their last four games. The results are a combination of Lawrence having a fairly clean pocket, making accurate throws and scrambling for yardage when things do break down.

Trick plays have been a bust for Jacksonville this season. There was the halfback throwback pass at Las Vegas in which Travis Etienne short-hopped the throw to Lawrence, who scooped it nicely and then threw incomplete to Brian Thomas Jr.

Etienne was involved in the latest one, too. He bobbled a pitch from receiver Jakobi Meyers on a hook-and-lateral play that ended up being a fumble — one of two red-zone turnovers for the Jaguars in the first half.

Parker Washington has consecutive 100-yard games for the first time in his three-year career. He finished with eight receptions for 115 yards at the Colts after catching six passes for a career-high 145 yards and a touchdown at Denver. Cornerback Jarrian Jones has been equally stout, delivering fourth-quarter interceptions in both games.

Tight end Johnny Mundt dropped his third pass of the season in the game against the Colts, a ball that slipped through his gloved hands near the 10-yard line. His drop number wouldn’t be bad except Mundt has only 18 targets.

The Jaguars hope to get C Robert Hainsey (groin), RG Patrick Mekari (back), RB Bhayshul Tuten (finger) and DE Danny Striggow (ankle) back this week.

1 — Number of times the Jaguars have won 13 games in a season, including the playoffs. They can get No. 13 against Tennessee.

Coen would like to see his team start closing out games on offense by running the ball, milking the clock and eventually taking knees.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) catches a pass as Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown, right, breaks up a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) celebrates after a catch and run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) tumbles after intercepting a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Host nation Morocco and South Africa advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations’ knockout stage on Monday, when Egypt star Mohamed Salah got a rest with his team already through.

Morocco made sure of its place in the last 16 with a 3-0 rout of Zambia. The hosts topped Group A to stay on course for having all its knockout games in Rabat’s near 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which will also stage the final on Jan. 18.

This time there were only cheers, after Morocco fans had whistled the team during its previous game, prompting a rebuke from team captain Achraf Hakimi on Sunday.

Ayoub El Kaabi headed the opener in the ninth minute, Brahim Díaz swept the second inside the left post in the 27th, and El Kaabi made sure of the win in the 50th with a spectacular bicycle kick – his second of the tournament.

An offside flag added to the drama as the goal was ruled out and then allowed after a VAR check confirmed El Kaabi was onside, setting off more joyous celebrations among the vast majority of fans in the stadium.

They had further reason to cheer when Hakimi went on as a substitute in the 64th for his first appearance since recovering from an ankle injury. Hakimi drew a brilliant save from Willard Mwanza on an otherwise perfect comeback.

The African Footballer of the Year will likely start on Sunday, when Morocco will play one of the third-placed finishers from Groups C, D or E, the first of what the home fans hope will be four wins to lift the title.

Mali’s 0-0 draw with Comoros was enough to finish second in Group A with three draws. Mali midfielder Amadou Haidara was sent off late.

The Eagles will play the second-placed finisher in Group D in Casablanca on Saturday, possibly Congo.

Oswin Appollis fired South Africa into the last 16 with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Zimbabwe.

The Bafana Bafana progressed in second place in Group B, behind Egypt, which drew 0-0 with Angola in Agadir. Both final group games were played at the same time.

With his team already through, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan rested his regulars including Salah, Omar Marmoush, and Trézéguet. They’re set to return for the Pharaohs’ first knockout game, also in Agadir, against a third-place finisher from Groups A, C or D on Jan. 5.

South Africa needed a win in Marrakech to be sure of progress without relying on a favor from Egypt. But Zimbabwe twice came from behind and pushed for an equalizer late on.

South Africa awaits results in Group F as it will play the second-placed finisher from that group – Ivory Coast, Cameroon or Mozambique – on Sunday.

AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi comes on during the second half of the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Morocco's fans celebrate during the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Morocco's Ayoub El Kaabi celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Angola's Beni Mukendi and Egypt's Mahmoud Saber compete for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Egypt's head coach Hossam Hassan during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Angola's Gelson Dala, right, controls the ball past Egypt's Ahmed Zizo during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Angola's Gelson Dala, right, kicks the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Egypt's Mohamed Salah, center, smiles as he sits on the bench ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)