The physical style of the game proved once again that the Jaguars can go toe-to-toe with the best in the NFL, and come out on top. The end-ofgame skirmishes on the field? That is part of the deal when you punch the bully of the NFC over the last five years in the mouth nearly all game. The“ Victory Formation” against them does not sit well with that group.
Give the Jaguars credit, they did not back down from a team that has intimidated opponents and won a lot of football games over the years, especially in games late in the season.
The win added to a laundry list of winning teams that the Jaguars have taken down this year, including the Baltimore Ravens( 7-6), Pittsburgh Steelers( 11-2), Los Angeles Chargers( 7-6) and Seattle Seahawks( 8-5).
The offense got back to basics in the win over Seattle, starting with the offensive line. With left guard Patrick Omameh back in the lineup, the original starting five on the front were back on the field together for the first time since Week 4 at the New York Jets.
They paved the way for 156 rushing yards, including 101 yards on 24 carries from rookie running back Leonard Fournette. Chris Ivory added 48 yards on six punishing carries.
Then there was the play of the fourth-year quarterback …
Blake Bortles finished 18 of 27 passing for 268 yards and two touchdowns. When the game was in doubt at 10-10 in the third quarter, Bortles completed arguably the most important pass of his career, a 75-yard deep ball to wide receiver Keelan Cole for a touchdown.
What a moment, in a season that continues to stack up moments for Bortles.
Defensively, the Jaguars are the best all-around unit in the NFL.
They lead the league in a number of categories, including points allowed per game, yards per play, passing yards, takeaways and sacks. They rank second in overall defense, interceptions and first downs per game, and rank fourth in thirddown conversions. The run defense improved after the bye week acquisition of Marcell Dareus from 32nd in the league to the current ranking of 22nd.
The Jags intercepted Wilson three times last week, with one from Jalen Ramsey and two more from A. J. Bouye. Bouye increased his interception total to six, tied for the league’ s best in 2017. Ramsey’ s total is four, not far off
AP Images AP IMAGES