The scoreboard at EverBank Stadium didn't lie, even if it felt like it was playing a cruel joke on the Duval faithful. If you’re looking for a simple answer to who won Jaguars game, it was the Indianapolis Colts. They walked out of Jacksonville with a 24-17 victory on January 4, 2026, putting a definitive, albeit depressing, period on the Jaguars' 2025 season. It wasn't just a loss. It was a microcosm of a year that started with high-altitude expectations and ended with a thud in the Florida humidity.
Football is a game of inches, but for Trevor Lawrence and company, it felt like miles.
The stadium was half-empty by the fourth quarter. You could hear the individual shouts of frustrated fans over the broadcast. Anthony Richardson, the Colts' dual-threat engine, didn't even have his best game, but he didn't need to. He just needed to be better than a Jaguars offense that looked stuck in second gear. Jacksonville finished the year with a dismal 4-13 record. Think about that for a second. This was a team people picked to win the AFC South back in August.
The Breakdown: How the Jaguars Lost the Season Finale
It started with a fumble. It’s always a fumble, isn't it? Travis Etienne Jr. coughed it up on the opening drive, and from there, the momentum just evaporated. The Colts turned that turnover into a quick seven points, and the Jaguars spent the rest of the afternoon chasing ghosts.
- The Quarterback Battle: Trevor Lawrence went 21-of-38 for 210 yards. He threw one touchdown and two interceptions. One of those picks was a late-game desperation heave, sure, but the other was a miscommunication that has haunted this team for months.
- The Run Game: Jacksonville managed only 82 yards on the ground. You can't win in the NFL if you can't run the ball when everyone knows you need to run the ball.
- Defensive Lapses: The Jags' defense actually played okay for three quarters. But when the game was on the line in the final ten minutes, they couldn't get off the field. Richardson converted three straight third downs with his legs.
Honestly, it was exhausting to watch.
The atmosphere in Jacksonville has shifted from "win-now" to "what now?" Fans are smart. They know that who won Jaguars game is a question that matters less than who is going to be leading this team in 2026. Head coach Doug Pederson’s seat isn't just warm; it’s glowing. After the game, the locker room was silent. No fiery speeches. No "we'll get 'em next year" bravado. Just the sound of cleats hitting the floor and the realization that a massive overhaul is coming.
Why the 24-17 Scoreline is Deceptive
If you just look at the box score, you might think it was a close game. It wasn't. The Jaguars scored a late touchdown in "garbage time" to make the deficit look respectable. For the vast majority of the second half, the Colts were in total control. They bullied the Jaguars' offensive line. Josh Hines-Allen—who remains a bright spot—managed two sacks, but he was a lone wolf out there.
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The Colts' defense, led by Laiatu Latu, lived in the backfield. Lawrence was pressured on nearly 45% of his dropbacks. That is an unsustainable number for any quarterback, let alone one coming off a shoulder injury.
Examining the Fallout: Who Won Jaguars Game and What it Means for the Draft
Losing this game actually "won" the Jaguars something: a better draft pick. By dropping the finale to Indianapolis, Jacksonville secured the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Is that a silver lining? Sorta.
It depends on whether you trust the front office to actually hit on that pick. In the 2020s, the Jaguars have had more top-five picks than almost any other franchise. At some point, the talent has to translate into wins. The consensus among NFL scouts like Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks is that this upcoming draft is loaded with offensive line talent. If the Jaguars don't spend that No. 3 pick on a tackle or a guard who can actually protect Lawrence, the cycle of losing will just repeat itself.
The Trevor Lawrence Problem
We have to talk about Trevor.
He’s the $275 million man. When you sign a contract like that, you are expected to elevate the players around you. Instead, it feels like the players around him are dragging him down into the mud. Is it the coaching? The play-calling? The lack of a true WR1? It’s probably all of the above. But elite quarterbacks find a way to win these divisional games at home.
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In the 2025 season, Lawrence finished with 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Those are "rookie year" numbers, not "veteran leader" numbers. The fan base is divided. Half the city wants to build around him; the other half is starting to look at the 2026 quarterback class with wandering eyes. It’s a mess.
A History of Recent Jaguars Finale Performances
To understand why this specific loss hurt so much, you have to look at the trend. The Jaguars have lost four of their last five season finales.
- 2021: Beat the Colts (The famous "Clown Game" where they knocked Indy out of the playoffs).
- 2022: Beat the Titans to win the AFC South.
- 2023: Lost to the Titans, missing the playoffs entirely.
- 2024: Lost to the Colts.
- 2025: Lost to the Colts (again).
The 2022 season feels like a decade ago. That night against Tennessee was supposed to be the start of a dynasty. Instead, it was a peak followed by a very long, very steep valley.
The Colts have now officially become the Jaguars' "big brother" in the division. Despite having a young, inconsistent quarterback in Richardson, Indianapolis has a clear identity. They run the ball. They hit hard on defense. They win the games they are supposed to win. Jacksonville, meanwhile, is still searching for an identity. Are they a passing team? A defensive team? Right now, they’re just a "losing" team.
Actionable Steps for the Jaguars Offseason
The game is over. The 2025 season is in the books. Now comes the hard part. If you’re a fan or an analyst looking at the wreckage, here is what actually needs to happen for the Jaguars to avoid asking "who won Jaguars game" in a losing context next year.
Fire the Offensive Coordinator. Press Taylor has been the lightning rod for criticism in Jacksonville for two years. The play-calling is predictable. It lacks imagination. It fails to utilize Trevor Lawrence’s athleticism. A fresh set of eyes on the offense isn't just a suggestion; it’s a requirement.
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Prioritize the Trenches. The Jaguars' offensive line was ranked 28th in the league in pass protection this year. You could put Patrick Mahomes behind that line and he’d struggle. They need to use their cap space—which is significant—to bring in veteran stability at center and guard.
Rebuild the Secondary. The Colts' wideouts were running free all afternoon on January 4th. Tyson Campbell is a solid corner, but the depth behind him is non-existent. They need a ball-hawk safety and another boundary corner who can play man-to-man.
Address the Leadership Vacuum. There are a lot of talented players in that locker room, but who is the voice? Who is the player that holds everyone accountable? Right now, it feels like a group of individuals rather than a cohesive unit.
The reality of the NFL is that things change fast. The Houston Texans went from the basement to the top of the division in one year with C.J. Stroud. The Jaguars have the pieces to do the same, but they are missing the glue.
If you are looking for the score of the game, it was 24-17, Colts. But if you’re looking for the story of the game, it’s about a franchise that has lost its way and needs to find a compass before the 2026 season kicks off. The fans in Jacksonville deserve better than a team that consistently underperforms its talent level.
Next steps for following the team this spring:
- Monitor the NFL Scouting Combine in late February to see which offensive linemen the Jaguars are meeting with.
- Watch for the official announcement regarding Doug Pederson’s status; most insiders expect a decision by the end of January.
- Check the salary cap casualty lists in March—the Jaguars need to cut some veteran weight to make room for defensive upgrades.