It got ugly late with a number of penalties and two ejections but Jacksonville got its best win of the season Sunday.
The 30-24 win over the Seahawks moved the Jaguars (9-4) into first place in the AFC South.
After a 3-0 slugfest at halftime, the two teams exploded for 31 third quarter points as Jacksonville took a 14-point lead entering the final frame. Russell Wilson was able to conjure up more fourth-quarter magic but key a key fourth-down play late sealed the Seahawks' fate as they fell to 8-5.
Not all hope is lost for Seattle however. Since the Rams lost to the Eagles, who fear QB Carson Wentz tore his ACL, a second win over Los Angeles next Sunday would put the Seahawks right back into the thick of the playoff picture and on top of the NFC West.
Here are three takeaways from Jacksonville's win
1. Michael Bennett not winning Walter Payton Man of the Year — After his actions late in the loss, Seahawks defensive end isn't going to win the award which in part "recognize players' outstanding contributions to the game." With the Jaguars in victory formation, Bennett rolled onto a Jaguars lineman's leg, igniting a skirmish between the two sides. Bennett's teammate Sheldon Richardson was ejected for throwing a punch and Bennett was flagged for unnecessary roughness, although he is likely to be fined this week for the play.
2. Questionable play-calling almost ruins Jags' statement win — Up 17 with 10 minutes remaining, all the Jags had to do was keep Russell Wilson from leading the Seahawks on quick TD-scoring drives. Instead of playing prevent defense, the Jags maintained their same defensive schemes and Wilson made them pay with a one-play TD "drive" and a two-play TD "drive" in the fourth quarter. Wilson is known for his fourth-quarter magic this season and now he's in the record book for it. With a 61-yard pass to Paul Richardson, Wilson broke a NFL record with 16 fourth-quarter TDs. He made it 17 with a 74-yard bomb to Tyler Lockett.
Instead of running it three straight plays to milk the clock, the Jags questionably threw it on second down with 3:36 left, leading to a three-and-out. Wilson had a chance for a miracle comeback win but was stopped on fourth-and-9. Seattle's decision not to punt and pin the Jags deep with two timeouts and the two-minute warning was puzzling but then again, Wilson was dealing.
3. Jacksonville will win the AFC South — The Titans were quite possibly the worst 8-4 team entering Sunday's game against the lowly Cardinals in recent memory. Tennessee had had a cake schedule of late, but haven't been impressive in any of their wins. Sunday's game marked the third in a row they've faced backup QBs and Blaine Gabbert was able to beat them. While Tennessee (8-5) beat the Jaguars in Week 2, they won't beat them again in the final regular season game, a matchup where Jacksonville can not only clinch the division, but knock their rivals out of the playoffs.