Can Trevor Lawrence lead the Jaguars to their first AFC South crown since 2022 with his legs as much as his arm?
The Jacksonville Jaguars answered yes, rallying from an early 10-point deficit for a hard-fought 23-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on December 28, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium. This NFL Week 17 divisional clash showcased Jacksonville’s resilience and top-ranked run defense, while the Colts’ late-season slide continued in front of their home fans. Here’s the complete post-game recap with score summary, turning points, standout performances, and playoff implications in the National Football League.
Score Summary
The Colts jumped ahead early, but the Jaguars dominated the second half with field goals and opportunistic defense. Jacksonville outgained Indianapolis 370-204 in total yards. Final score: Jacksonville Jaguars 23, Indianapolis Colts 17.
Quarter
Jaguars
Colts
Key Scoring Plays
1st
0
3
Colts FG
2nd
7
7
Trevor Lawrence rushing TD; Colts TD (Jonathan Taylor rush)
3rd
10
7
Lawrence second rushing TD; Cam Little FG; Colts TD
4th
6
0
Two Cam Little FGs (including a tiebreaker from 42 yards)
The Jaguars overcame two red-zone turnovers in the first half, relying on Lawrence’s mobility and kicker Cam Little’s reliability to seal the win.
Turning Points
This gritty AFC South matchup swung on defensive stops and red-zone miscues in a low-scoring affair:
Early Colts Momentum — Indianapolis capitalized on a Jaguars red-zone fumble to build a 10-0 lead, forcing Jacksonville into comeback mode.
Halftime Tiebreaker Avoided — Trevor Lawrence’s end-zone interception late in the second quarter preserved a 10-7 Colts halftime lead, but it prevented a potential Jaguars score.
Third-Quarter Rally — Lawrence’s second rushing touchdown and a Cam Little field goal gave Jacksonville its first lead, flipping the script after halftime adjustments.
Fourth-Quarter Field Goals — Cam Little’s 42-yard kick with under seven minutes left broke a 17-17 tie, and another late FG padded the lead. The Jaguars’ defense then forced a turnover on downs and sealed it with an interception on a desperate Colts Hail Mary.
These shifts highlighted Jacksonville’s ability to overcome self-inflicted wounds, with the defense holding firm against Jonathan Taylor and forcing key stops.
Standout Performances
Key players rose to the occasion in this defensive-minded NFL Week 17 battle:
Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars QB) → Completed 23 of 37 passes for 263 yards and one INT, but rushed for two touchdowns—his third multi-rushing TD game of the season. His mobility proved decisive in the comeback.
Parker Washington (Jaguars WR) → Led the team with 8 receptions for 115 yards, including explosive plays that sustained drives.
Travis Etienne Jr. (Jaguars RB) → Rushed 17 times for 76 yards, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the third time in four seasons.
Foyesade Oluokun (Jaguars LB) → Anchored the defense with a team-high 12 tackles, helping limit the Colts’ ground game.
Cam Little (Jaguars K) → Perfect on three field goals, including the game-winner.
Jonathan Taylor (Colts RB) → Carried 21 times for 70 yards and a TD, reaching milestones like 1,500 rushing yards for the season but contained overall at 3.3 yards per carry.
Philip Rivers (Colts QB) → Managed the offense in his return start but threw a late interception on a Hail Mary attempt.
The Jaguars’ defense shone collectively, holding the Colts to under 4 yards per play and stifling big plays after the first quarter.
What the Result Means for Playoff Chances
With one week left in the 2025 NFL regular season, this outcome solidified the AFC South race and playoff seeding:
For the Jaguars (now 12-4), the victory extended their win streak to seven and kept them firmly in control of the AFC South. They clinched a playoff berth earlier and now need just a win over the struggling Tennessee Titans in Week 18 to secure the division title—their first since 2022. A loss could open the door for the Houston Texans (11-5), but Jacksonville holds the head-to-head tiebreaker edge.
The Colts (8-8) saw their faint playoff hopes extinguished earlier in the weekend (via Texans’ results) and extended a six-game losing streak with this defeat. Eliminated from postseason contention, Indianapolis closes out at Houston, shifting focus to offseason questions around quarterback stability and roster rebuild.
In the broader AFC playoff picture, the Jaguars remain alive for higher seeding (potentially up to No. 1 with help), while underscoring the volatility of divisional games. NFL fans tracking mock drafts, free agency, and postseason brackets will note Jacksonville’s hot streak as a potential dark horse heading into January.
