Postgame recap: Jacksonville Jaguars beat New York Jets with NFL playoffs on the line
Playoffs? Playoffs? As the Jacksonville Jaguars travel to the Meadowlands to face the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night in East Rutherford, New Jersey, that word isn't just a distant dream anymore for long-suffering Jags fans.
After Sunday's 40-34 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the Jaguars have climbed to second place in the AFC South, only one game behind the reeling Tennessee Titans. Trevor Lawrence achieved one of the best games of his young career, and safety Rayshawn Jenkins delivered a historically outstanding performance with 18 tackles and two interceptions, including the game-winning pick-six in overtime. But the Jags will be without offensive tackle Cam Robinson, lost for the season with a knee injury.
Thursday's game could match Lawrence, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, against Zach Wilson, the quarterback the Jets selected at No. 2. Wilson has been playing in place of Mike White, who entered the week with a rib injury. At 7-7, the Jets are fighting for their own playoff lives, losing four of their last five amid offensive woes.
Thursday Night Takeaways:Jaguars dominate Jets, win 19-3 on Thursday Night Football. Here are our takeaways.
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Jaguars-Jets predictions: Times-Union staff make their game picks
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11:09 p.m. | FINAL: Jaguars 19, Jets 3
The Jaguars complete a dominant win in the Meadowlands and their playoff chase is gaining more steam.
11:07 p.m. | Jets' drive ends, but Dawuane Smoot injured
The Jaguars will keep the Jets out of the end zone tonight, but lineman Dawuane Smoot was helped off after an apparent non-contact injury.
10:57 p.m. | Field goal: Riley Patterson on target again for Jags
The Tre Herndon fumble recovery turns into Jacksonville points.
No trip to the end zone for the offense and Trevor Lawrence, who incurred a crushing hit while trying to scamper away from the pass rush on third down. But the QB appears OK, and so are the Jaguars, who added three more points on Riley Patterson's fourth successful field goal of the night.
Jaguars 19, Jets 3, 3:46 4th.
10:50 p.m. | Fumble: Jaguars recover after Jets miscue
That's a takeaway, and the Jaguars have just about wrapped this one up.
Garrett Wilson caught a fourth-down pass for the Jets, but Foye Oluokun knocked the ball out — apparently with his foot while falling down in traffic — and Tre Herndon plucked the ball out of the air for the Jaguars.
10:43 p.m. | Jacksonville drive ends across midfield, time running out
No points on that drive, in spite of an excellent pass from Trevor Lawrence to Zay Jones, but the Jaguars consumed a lot of clock on the possession. Logan Cooke pinned the Jets deep, too, booting the ball down to the 1, where Chris Claybrooks downed it on the coverage team.
Fewer than six minutes remain and the Jaguars are leading 16-3 in the Meadowlands, and closing in on a win that would really turn up the pressure on the AFC South-leading Titans.
10:33 p.m. | Darious Williams pass breakup ends Jets' march
The Jets are showing new life behind Chris Streveler, a new addition to the roster who is trying to grab the quarterback position away. But the Jacksonville defense came up big when it mattered most.
Streveler converted a fourth down with a pass to a diving Garrett Wilson right at the chains. But Josh Allen and several defenders combined to stuff a third-down run, and Darious Williams broke up a fourth-down attempt. The Jaguars got a little help earlier in the drive when Jets receiver Corey Davis dropped a well-thrown Streveler pass that could have advanced the ball inside the 10. A rare 16-play drive ending without points.
10:24 p.m. | End of third quarter:Jaguars 16, Jets 3
This is a different Jets team now. New York has benched QB Zach Wilson in favor of former Winnipeg Blue Bombers CFL quarterback Chris Streveler, and the backup quarterback has led the Jets across midfield. The Jets almost had a touchdown when tight end C.J. Uzomah got open completely behind the secondary, but the underthrown pass ended up with only a gain of 30.
Thursday Night Football is not yet over.
10:17 p.m. | Jaguars forced to punt despite good field position
The Jags started across midfield because of the combination of a short punt and a Jets dead-ball penalty, but couldn't make it count. Trevor Lawrence came up short for Zay Jones on third down and Logan Cooke punted the football away. That's his first punt of the night, but the Jags still lead by 13 points.
10:11 p.m. | Jaguars stuff New York offense again
Another dominant performance for the Jaguars' defense, even after the Jets started from the 40. Holding pushed them back, then DaVon Hamilton and Jeremiah Ledbetter combined to sack Zach Wilson on second down. An 8-yard pass on third and 25 produces another three-and-out for New York.
The Jets have gained only 78 yards this evening.
10:04 p.m. | Field goal Jaguars: Riley Patterson extends the edge with third kick
This is another composed drive by Trevor Lawrence in the ugly weather.
The QB sneaked for a third-down conversion and then connected once more with Evan Engram for a first down inside Jets territory to go above 100 receiving yards on the night. Back-to-back penalties on tackles Jawaan Taylor and Walker Little backed the Jags up, but Riley Patterson's 41-yard field goal gave the Jaguars three more points.
Jaguars 16, Jets 3, 7:06 3rd.
9:53 p.m. | Jets open with three-and-out
The Jaguars' defense remains in command. The Jets got into a third-and-1 but Zach Wilson missed badly on third down and that means another New York punt.
9:51 p.m. | Second half kicks off
It's time for the return to football amid rain and wind. The Jets will receive the kickoff.
9:37 p.m. | HALFTIME: Jaguars 13, Jets 3
The Jaguars end that half with a pick as Devin Lloyd intercepts an underthrown deep ball from Zach Wilson. The linebacker tried a lateral to Andre Cisco on the run-back, but no Patriots-style disaster occurred for the Jags.
The New York crowd is less than pleased with what it's seeing, and the Jaguars enter the break with a 10-point edge.
9:32 p.m. | Field goal try is no good
Travis Etienne is turning little plays into big ones on short passes from Trevor Lawrence out of the backfield. But after he was called short of the chains on a third down, Doug Pederson elected not to go for fourth-and-inches and called on Riley Patterson for a 44-yard field goal try. That kick got blown up into the swirling winds and drifted wide left.
Will the Jaguars regret that decision to kick?
9:24 p.m. | Jets go three-and-out amid chorus of boos
It's not getting any better for the Jets. Roy Robertson-Harris took over that drive, sacking Zach Wilson on first down and whacking down his second-down attempt volleyball-style. Andre Cisco wiped out a third-down attempt and that adds up to a Jets three-and-out. The Jaguars' defense is dominating this one as the two-minute warning looms.
9:18 p.m. | Field goal: Riley Patterson extends Jacksonville's advantage
It's Evan Engram time again. A short tight end screen to the left side transformed into a 36-yard gain for Engram. He's now surpassed Kyle Brady for the Jaguars' single-season receptions record for a tight end, and he doesn't look like he's finished tonight.
A couple of subsequent screens to Travis Etienne and Christian Kirk proved less successful, but Riley Patterson nailed a 45-yard field goal for a two-score Jaguars lead. In what's becoming increasingly nasty weather, there's a chance the Jags might already have all the points they need.
Jaguars 13, Jets 3, 2:55 2nd.
9:10 p.m. | Jets cross midfield but punt
Zach Wilson is having some shaky moments, again, behind center for the Jets. After a toss out of the backfield turned into a first down across midfield, the Jets got backed up by penalties. Wilson survived a wild heave into double coverage that forced receiver Corey Davis to turn into a defender to prevent Darious Williams from intercepting the football. The Jets punted, and the boo-birds are now out and about in East Rutherford.
9:02 p.m. | Touchdown Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence sneak caps marathon drive
That was a looooooooooooooooooooooooong drive for the Jags.
A mix of passes and runs, several by Trevor Lawrence, advanced the ball 96 yards up the field. Lawrence's last run was the most important, a 1-yard sneak to stretch the ball over the goal line.
That drive advanced 96 yards in 16 plays and chewed up 8:15 on the clock. The Jags are leading in the Meadowlands. The only negative: An apparent lower leg injury to guard Brandon Scherff around the goal line, further depleting an already-weakened Jaguars offensive line.
Jaguars 10, Jets 3, 11:26 2nd.
8:50 p.m. | END OF FIRST QUARTER: Jets 3, Jaguars 3
The Jaguars started in miserable field position but didn't stay there. Travis Etienne picked up a couple of nice runs, despite a brief scare after landing heavily on his wrist, and Trevor Lawrence converted first-down passes to tight ends Evan Engram and Dan Arnold. It's a possession that has advanced 72 yards and counting. They're inside the New York 25 as the second quarter begins under rainy skies.
8:40 p.m. | Jets' drive stalls out near midfield
The Jets moved across midfield on a Garrett Wilson catch-and-run but couldn't do anything else with the football. Zach Wilson fired off-target on second down and got chased deep into the backfield before throwing away on third down. But the Jaguars will be taking over with rough field position after the punt, inside their own 5.
8:32 p.m. | Field goal: Jags tie score on Riley Patterson kick
Evan Engram has been the top target early for Trevor Lawrence early. He caught a couple of passes on that drive, including a third-down conversion on a well-designed play to near midfield. Then, Travis Etienne accelerated through the line for a gain of 19, holding the football at the end despite a near-bobble.
But a Lawrence run to the right smashed into a Jets lineman, and the QB appeared to overthrow Christian Kirk on third down. That led to a 32-yard field goal from Riley Patterson to tie the score.
Jets 3, Jaguars 3, 7:15 1st.
8:22 p.m. | Field goal: Jaguars limit Jets to three points but Greg Zuerlein puts New York in front
The Jaguars' defense stands firm. Andre Cisco raced in on the safety blitz and sacked Zach Wilson on third down. Greg Zuerlein came on for a 38-yard field goal, but the Jaguars limit the damage after that early turnover. It's another less-than-ideal start for the Jags.
Jets 3, Jaguars 0, 11:37 1st.
8:19 p.m. | Fumble: Trevor Lawrence is strip-sacked on opening possession
Not a good start for the Jaguars. Carl Lawson stuffs a run on second down and then Quinnen Williams overpowers Tyler Shatley right up the middle, sacks Trevor Lawrence, jars the ball loose and recovers the fumble. The Jets take over right away at the Jacksonville 16.
8:15 p.m. | Kickoff time for Jaguars, Jets
It's time for some Thursday Night Football. The Jets won the toss and deferred, so it'll be Jaguars football to open this one at a cold, rainy and windy MetLife Stadium.
8:05 p.m. | ‘He’s always been this guy’: Jaguars WR Zay Jones coming off career day against Cowboys
According to his wide receiver room, Zay Jones has always been this guy and now he’s getting a chance to show it. | Read more --Juston Lewis
7:55 p.m. | 'Sense of urgency': Jaguars set to take on New York Jets on Thursday Night Football
There wasn't much time this week for the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8) to worry about what happened last Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. | Read more --Demetrius Harvey
7:45 p.m. | Well, gosh! Jaguars fanbase found to be most polite in NFL
Jacksonville Jaguars fans are used to seeing their team at the bottom of national rankings, but finishing dead last in a recent poll might not be such a bad thing. | Read more --Tom Szaroleta
7:35 p.m. | Jaguars vs. Jets: Taking a hot streak to the Meadowlands
The game will be a rematch of the top-two quarterbacks taken in the 2021 draft. Trevor Lawrence of the Jags has been among the hottest quarterbacks in the league over the last six weeks while Zach Wilson of the Jets regained his starting spot last week. | Read more --Garry Smits
7:20 p.m. | Thursday night magic: Jaguars coach Doug Pederson is unbeaten in short work weeks
The Jaguars have a short week coming off two emotional victories in a row but coach Doug Pederson has a spotless history of getting his teams ready for Thursday night games. | Read more --Garry Smits
7:10 p.m. | 'A warrior's mentality:' Jaguars' Caleb Johnson performs tirelessly, selflessly on special teams
It's easy to find Caleb Johnson on a football field on a Jaguars kickoff or punt: look for the ball. His No. 57 jersey is almost certainly somewhere within arm's length. | Read more --Garry Smits
7 p.m. | 35 cheesesteaks delivered to coach Doug Pederson, Jaguars after win over Cowboys
The Jaguars gave the Eagles an early Christmas gift on Sunday when the team beat the Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia returned the favor Monday. | Read more --Alexandria Mansfield
6:50 p.m. | Travon Walker and Foley Fatukasi inactive for Jets game; Jawaan Taylor will play
As previously announced, defensive linemen Travon Walker and Foley Fatukasi are out for the Jaguars on Thursday night. They're inactive, along with cornerback Montaric Brown, linebacker De'Shaan Dixon, cornerback Gregory Junior, wide receiver Kendric Pryor and offensive tackle Cam Robinson. But offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor will play after a hamstring injury.
6:45 p.m. | Gene Frenette: Believe it or not, Jaguars looking like team of playoff destiny
Without being mathematically eliminated from the playoff picture, the Jaguars clung to the belief head coach Doug Pederson indoctrinated in them to never lose hope about chasing a championship until it’s officially over. Given everything that has transpired since the Lions’ beatdown, a tidal wave of momentum shifting so much toward the Jaguars, it’s now hard to ignore the possibility they might be a team of postseason destiny. | Read more --Gene Frenette
6:35 p.m. | Prediction time: What do the experts think about Jaguars-Jets?
See what the Times-Union's sports staff is expecting for tonight's Jaguars-Jets game in the Meadowlands. | Read more --The Times-Union
6:25 p.m. | ‘That’s Trevor Lawrence’: Jaguars’ second-year quarterback on hot streak during playoff push
Maybe it’s the jaw dropping passes that are fired off with supreme confidence. Maybe it’s the toughness to play through an injury that’s lingered for three weeks. Maybe it’s his unwavering personality, whether he’s in a funk or playing lights out.
While that's all true, it's likely his resiliency — bred from the turnaround from a five-game losing streak — and high-caliber play that built the confidence in Trevor Lawrence from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ locker room as they try to secure a playoff spot. | Read more --Juston Lewis
6 p.m. | Jags vs. Jets predictions: Who are NFL experts picking to win?
The Jaguars are rolling and the Jets are reeling of late, but not everyone thinks Doug Pederson and company are winning this Thursday night tilt. Says one national reporter: "I don't trust Florida teams in cold weather, especially when they've lost 10 straight games in cold weather."
What time do the Jaguars play today?
When: 8:15 p.m. Thursday, December 22
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
How to watch Jaguars game today
TV: Fox (in select markets), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial), fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Live stream: Amazon Prime (30-day free trial), NFL+ (7-day free trial)
Jaguars radio station: How can I listen to Jags vs. Jets?
Radio: WJXL 1010AM/92.5 FM, 99.9 FM, SiriusXM Channel 226
Online radio: 1010xl.com, TuneIn, SiriusXM.com (Channel 814)
What's the latest betting line for Jaguars vs. Jets?
New York is a 1-point favorite over Jacksonville, according to Tipico, the oddsmaker for USA TODAY. The over-under is 39 points.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. NY Jets game score, live updates NFL Week 16
