A Jekyll-and–Hyde fortnight behind them, the Jacksonville Jaguars will continue a push toward their first postseason appearance since 2022 when they oppose the reeling Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz., on Sunday.
The Jaguars (6-4) took a giant step forward with what could be a season-defining 35-6 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers last week, when they rebounded from a devastating 36-29 loss at Houston in which the Texans scored 26 fourth-quarter points.
The Cardinals (3-7) have lost seven of eight and have endured consecutive blowout defeats against two of their NFC West rivals, the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.
Jacksonville dominated the Chargers on both sides of the ball last Sunday, limiting Los Angeles to eight first downs and 135 yards in total offense. The Jaguars rushed for 192 yards, as Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten combined for 147 yards and three scores on the ground, and they had an almost 16-minute advantage in time of possession.
“We owe it to each other now to put that on tape as much as possible for the remainder of the season and let the results be what they may,” first-year coach Liam Coen said.
“(The) message (that) is going to continue to be sent throughout the locker room … is that, ‘Hey, man, we’ve got to play pissed off and efficient and execute like that for four quarters.'”
The victory kept the Jaguars on the inside of the AFC playoff bubble. They are the third of three AFC wild-card teams entering Week 12, with the easiest portion of their schedule upcoming.
Including the Cardinals (3-7), Jacksonville has four games left against bottom feeders, a home-and-home against AFC South cellar-dweller Tennessee (1-9) and a home game against New York Jets (2-8). They also have a home-and-home against division leader Indianapolis (8-2) and go on the road to oppose Denver (9-2).
The Cardinals trailed 35-10 after three quarters in a 41-22 home loss to San Francisco last Sunday, when their a franchise-record 17 penalties and three turnovers more than offset Jacoby Brissett’s career-high 452 passing yards and NFL regular-season-record 47 completions. He threw two TD passes and two interceptions.
The Cardinals’ sputtering play has led to speculation about coach Jonathan Gannon’s job.
“I didn’t hire myself. I’m not going to fire myself,” said Gannon, who is 15-29 since replacing Kliff Kingsbury in 2023. “That’s the business we’re in. If you don’t want to be in that business, we laugh, we joke, go work somewhere else.”
The Jaguars are plus-8 in turnover margin, tied for fourth in the league. The Cardinals are a net zero.
“Those plays change games,” Gannon said. “The No. 1 job of defense is get the offense the ball back. The numbers would say you don’t overcome losing the ball.”
Journeyman Brissett has completed 142 of 212 passes for 1,570 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions while revitalizing the passing game in five starts in place of injured Kyler Murray, who can’t return before Dec. 7.
Arizona wide receiver Michael Wilson had career highs in receptions (15) and yards (185) against the 49ers while Marvin Harrison Jr. missed the game because of appendix surgery. Harrison will be out again this week, Gannon said.
Arizona running back Emari Demercado (ankle) also is out. The Cardinals opened the practice window for running back Trey Benson, meaning he can be activated at any time. Benson gained 160 yards on 29 carries in four games before sustaining a knee injury in Week 4.
Jacksonville wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle) missed the past two games, and his status is uncertain. Tuten left the Chargers game with a right ankle injury in the fourth quarter. Thomas, Tuten and running back Travis Etienne (shoulder) were limited participants in practice on Wednesday.
