With a chance to make the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, the Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Houston Texans in their last home game of the regular season.
After a couple of three and outs to start the game, the Jaguars finally got things rolling on their second drive of the day. A 13-play, 78-yard drive took them to the 1-yard line, where Tommy Bohanon took them to the promise land with a 1-yard touchdown run. Lambo nailed the extra point, and the Jaguars took a 7-0 lead.
Things would only get better from here.
On the second play of their next drive, Blake Bortles hooked up with Keelan Cole for a 43-yard gain, which took them into the red zone. Three plays later, Bortles hooked dup with Jaydon Mickens, this one a screen pass for a five-yard touchdown, which would mark the first of his career. Mickens did his part, then Lambo did his, and it was 14-0 Jaguars.
Mickens’ big day continued, as he caught another touchdown, this one in the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown pass, and the Jaguars took a 21-0 lead.
Late in the first half, the Jaguars got into Texans territory once again. This time though, the drive did not end up in a touchdown, and Lambo had to kick a 38-yard field goal, which struck right down the middle of the goal post. The lead sat at 24-0.
The defense, which had been relentless all first half, finally came up with a turnover, when Barry Church picked off T.J. Yates, and stepped out of bounds with 42 seconds to go in the half.
Bortles’ brilliant offensive half continued, adding on to his third touchdown of the day — this time to Keelan Cole who was wide open in the end zone. The Jaguars went into the half with a 31-0 lead.
The Texans finally got on the board midway through the 3rd quarter, with a T.J. Yates pass to DeAndre Hopkins for a 25-yard touchdown pass. The Texans cut the lead to 31-7.
In the blink of an eye, the Jaguars responded. Bortles hit Keelan Cole over the middle of the field, and Cole nearly took it to the house, being tripped up at the 1-yard line. Who else but Tommy Bohanon scored again on a 1-yard run, and the Jaguars extended their lead to 38-7.
Corey Grant added another touchdown on the board in the fourth quarter, notching the score at 45-7.
In a game to clinch a playoff spot, the Jaguars were up 38 points, and had their backup quarterback in the game. The energy in EverBank field persisted throughout the whole game. These fans had waited so long for a moment like this to happen. after week 15 last year Gus Bradley was fired, this year the Jaguars clinched a playoff berth, and went on to a record of 10-4.
Wherever Jaguars fans were, whether it be at EverBank Field, in a sports bar, or in the comfort of their own homes, a feeling of exuberance took over. Years of turmoil, and embarrassing play were finally things of the past.
Your 2017 Jaguars are good, take a moment and celebrate that.
The Jaguars went on to win the game 45-7, moving on to a record of 10-4 on the season.
The Jaguars travel to play the San Francisco 49ers next week to play and possibly clinch the AFC South for the first time ever.
No, really. Ever.
The last time the Jaguars went to the playoffs, I was in the eighth grade. Where were you the last time the Jaguars made the playoffs? Let’s share stories, celebrate the best defense in the NFL, and the end of a 10-year playoff drought.