Week 18 of the NFL season kicked off Saturday with a double-header, as the Jacksonville Jaguars narrowly took down the Tennessee Titans at home to claim the AFC South title and earn the AFC’s fourth seed in the playoffs.
Earlier, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs took down the Las Vegas Raiders on the road in the first game of the day, 31-13, locking down the No. 1 seed in the AFC in the process.
Here are Saturday’s highlights!
Jacksonville Jaguars 20, Tennessee Titans 16
Lengthy FG drive
After going three-and-out to start the game, the Titans put together a 17-play drive on their next possession, which saw them convert two fourth downs. The drive resulted in a 51-yard field goal.
Titans take advantage
With the ball in Tennessee territory, Trevor Lawrence fumbled on a botched trick play, and the Titans recovered at their own 31-yard line.
Making a statement
Seven plays later, Titans third-string QB Joshua Dobbs hit tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo for a 21-yard touchdown — but not before a mean stiff arm from Derrick Henry. Just like that, Tennessee led 10-0 midway through the second quarter.
Bouncing back
The Jaguars answered with a 54-yard kick return from Jamal Agnew, topped off by a 25-yard touchdown from wideout Christian Kirk on Jacksonville’s next drive to keep things close, 10-7.
Then, the Titans added a field goal as the first half expired to make it a six-point game headed into the break, 13-7.
What could have been!
Lawrence was this close to knotting things up early in the third quarter, but he wasn’t able to connect with a wide-open Zay Jones in the end zone. The Jaguars settled for a field goal instead, making it a three-point game once again, 13-10.
No quit
Lawrence redeemed himself a bit on Jacksonville’s ensuing possession, connecting with Kirk for a clutch 33-yard gain to move the chains. However, the second-year QB wasn’t able to get it done on third down, and the Jaguars punted the ball away.
Turn of events
Jacksonville got a big boost after picking off Dobbs near midfield and returning it to Tennessee’s 25-yard line.
Denied
However, Lawrence & Co. came up short once again when making a play for the end zone. Just like that, it was a three-point game for the third time Saturday after the Jaguars settled for another field goal early in the fourth quarter.
Big-time stop
The Jaguars defense came up with a crucial stop on third down, sacking Dobbs and forcing the Titans to go three-and-out on their next drive. The score remained 16-13 as the fourth quarter got underway.
Jags take first lead
Jacksonville took a 20-16 lead late in the fourth quarter, thanks to a defensive touchdown from linebacker Josh Allen.
That’s a wrap!
The Titans turned it over on downs on their ensuing drive, and it was victory formation for the Jaguars.
Kansas City Chiefs 31, Las Vegas Raiders 13
Love for No. 3
Both teams were sporting “Love For Damar” shirts ahead of kickoff. The shirts were made to show support for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who collapsed during Monday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hamlin is now breathing on his own and able to talk after having his breathing tube removed, his agent shared Friday.
Going deep!
Mahomes and the Chiefs wasted little time on offense, as Justin Watson came up with a huge 67-yard gain on just the second play of the game.
Chiefs on the board
On third-and-goal, Mahomes flipped a shovel pass to Jerick McKinnon for a 2-yard score, giving K.C. an early 7-0 lead.
Chiefs capitalize
Daniel Carlson knocked through a 54-yard field goal for the Raiders on the ensuing possession to close the gap. Then, Las Vegas forced K.C. to punt on its next possession with the latter pinning the former at its own 5-yard line.
After appearing to work out of harm’s way, Raiders QB Jarrett Stidham was intercepted by Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill.
Making moves
Taking over at the Las Vegas 44-yard line, Mahomes hit wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 28-yard pickup, followed by a 14-yard carry from Kadarius Toney. Then, Ronald Jones ran in Kansas City’s second touchdown.
On a roll
After the Raiders failed to score from two yards out, the Chiefs took over and put together a 98-yard drive, which concluded with an 11-yard touchdown run by Toney. The score gave the Chiefs a 21-3 lead.
Untimely turnover
On the ensuing possession, Stidham was strip-sacked by Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna, and George Karlaftis recovered the loose ball with nine seconds remaining in the second quarter.
Two plays later, Harrison Butker made a 44-yard field goal. Just like that, Kansas City led 24-3 at halftime.
In total control
Kansas City stretched its lead to four scores early in the fourth quarter. Running back Isiah Pacheco took off for a 31-yard run to the Las Vegas 2-yard line.
Three plays later, the running back punched in the goal-line score. The Chiefs led 31-6 early in the fourth quarter.
Too little, too late
The Raiders found the end zone for the first time with 6:38 remaining in the fourth quarter when Stidham hit wide receiver Hunter Renfrow for an 11-yard score, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.
Kansas City went on to win by double digits, securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC in the process.
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