Florida Sports Wires

  By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire As most of us know, the Jaguars had a modest free-agency signing period. They did ink cornerback Montaric Brown, linebacker Dennis Gardek, former Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez - who could turn out to be a steal - and tight end Quintin Morris. The Jags also quietly signed Seattle wide receiver Jake Bobo to an offer sheet. Bobo made $3.51 million last season. But are the Jags the favorite in the AFC West? The Colts brought back quarterback Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce, and there’s talk that Russell Wilson will be Jones’ backup. Jones went down with a torn Achilles last year against Jacksonville in a game the Jags were apparently set to lose. Houston has picked up some pieces, and they have strengthened the pocket around controversial quarterback C.J. Stroud. On paper, the early look has the division looming as a tussle among all four teams The team to watch, though, is the Titans. They could be a true spoiler to the Jags’ upcoming seas...

  The shock is over, and the proverbial smoke has cleared. The Jaguars can start to look ahead t0 2026.  Liam Coen’s first year at the helm gave the Jacksonville faithful the first few pages of a new chapter in franchise history in which they can now be considered as perennial AFC South title contenders. Trevor Lawrence may have finally unlocked the door to his long-awaited generational talent and also being among the league quarterback elite class. Based on his playoff exit against Buffalo, we’ll wait and see.  Anthony Campanile regenerated the much-maligned defense -notably the secondary - and quickly gained respect as a defensive coordinator to the point of getting interviews for head coaching jobs. Low-profile offensive coordinator Grant Udinski is on the Browns’ list of potential head coaching candidates, and he also has been mentioned as the Eagles’ possible new OC. Cam Little has become an instant thought as a three-point option from more than 60 yards away.  ...

By Jeff Moeller/Florida Sports Wire This one was about grit and character. Looking at the Jaguars this season, we’ve seen talent, anxiety, dominance, deterioration among other factors. It has been a panoramic view from the start to their current seven-game winning streak that has produced a franchise-tying 12 wins. The Jags had to gut it out and pulled it out against 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who throws the ball like a sidearmed reliever, in a nerve-wracking 23-17 victory. They were missing starters guard Patrick Mekari, center Robert Hainsey and running back Bhayshul Tuten.  Jacksonville dominated in nearly every offensive category, outgaining the Colts, 370-204.  They couldn’t afford to let this one slip away, and they didn’t implode like they have on occasions in the past. They now work past it. A redzone fumble on a trick play and Trevor Lawrence’s ill-advised pass attempt to Parker Washington that turned into an interception kept the Colts early in the game and reignited...

  Jaguars’ edge rusher and team leader Josh Hines-Allen could have stated the perceived state of the team . "League-wise, I think to them, we're still the Jags," said Allen. "They're just waiting for us to slip up.” Even with the Jags apparently in command at halftime with a 28-10, you still had the feeling whether you were at EverBank Stadium or you watched at home.  When the Colts kicked a field goal on the opening drive of the second drive and  the Jaguars had a bad three-and-out, your stomach started churning. The thought of the blown 19-point lead against the Texans four weeks ago still was stuck in many of our heads.  Don't worry. These Jaguars apparently have chased away their demons and haunts from their pretender past  As late Mets’ reliever Tug McGraw said in their run to the World Series, “You gotta believe. “ They have won four straight and still atop the AFC South and have the current third playoff seed.   With the Jags ahead 28-13 near mi...

(SportsDay Photo by Nancy Beecher/FL Sports Wire) By Jeff Moeller The tremors that could be sensed and maybe felt from the raucous, white-towele waving 70,000-plus crowd at TIAA Field Saturday night will have some aftershocks all week long. The Jaguars’ 20-16 victory over Tennessee was a microcosm of their season. There were some growing pains, some blowouts, and finally some meaningful victories. From a team that was once 2-6 and reeling toward a likely four or –generous – maybe a five-win season, the Jags have come full circle to a 9-8 campaign. It is a turnaround that probably won’t be fully appreciated until the season is over. The rest of the league finally recognized them with a prime-time broadcast. This was a year that went from lap dances for a head coach to fans deliriously dancing in the parking lots. Their victory was more than a one-night football stand; it was the beginning. It’s real, and it’s far from over. Good teams have role players and have their share of timely pla...

  (SportsDay Photo by Nancy DeLander Beecher/FL Sports Wire) By Mike Bonts JACKSONVILLE (SportsDay) -  The Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) won the battle for the AFC South over the Tennessee Titans (7-10) 20-16 Saturday night at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. Josh Allen recovered a Joshua Dobbs fumble and ran 37-yards for the winning touchdown with 3:01 to play.  Feeding off the energy on an announced crowd of 70,050, the Jaguars battled back to take their first lead of the game on Allen's TD. It was his second fumble recovery of the season and first score. Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence was 20 of 32 passing for 212 yards. Christian Kirk caught six passes for 99 yards.  Tyson Campbell picked off  Dobbs at the end of the third quarter and returned it 29 yards to the Tennessee 25. The Jaguars settled for another Riley Patterson field goal when the drive sputtered at the Titans' 18. Dobbs finished 20 of 29 passing for 179 yards. Derrick Henry ran 109 yards o...

Colts had a hard time handling Josh Allen (41). (Photo by Nancy Beecher) By Jeff Moeller JACKSONVLLE (Florida Sports Wire) - The perfect game..at least the first half. That’s what occurred for the Jaguars in their 24-0 shutout against the Colts Sunday at TIAA Field. What everyone was waiting for with Trevor Lawrence at the helm finally happened.  New head coach Doug Pederson has been playing his part. Remember the date. Sept. 18, 2022. In the future, it could be a cornerstone date. (Think 2024 season.) The Jags were perfect in all three phases of their game. For the most part, the second half was just as good as the first half. If they could stuff it all in a bottle, they would.  But the NFL offers plenty of chances. The offense behind Lawrence was precise and efficient as it could possibly be. The defense, led by a cast of characters, clamped down with highlight reel plays that kept the hapless Colts out of the end zone. It’s true, the Colts were out of sync the entire after...